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Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips for Creatives

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips for Creatives

Written by: Samantha Eck | Bookkeeper for Creatives
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 Creative Minds, Smart Money is the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to stop treating their finances like a side character in their business story. Hosted by Samantha Eck, bookkeeper and fractional CFO, this show breaks down the financial side of running a creative business into actionable steps that actually make sense. Each week, we tackle everything from pricing strategies and cash flow management to making smart business decisions that keep your creative business thriving (yes, even during those slow months). You'll get real, practical advice on managing your money and growing your business while still having time and funds to enjoy what you love. Beyond the numbers, we explore the full picture of creative business success - from marketing strategies to efficient systems - because building a sustainable business requires more than just good bookkeeping. And occasionally, I bring in industry experts to share their insights on taking your creative business to the next level. Ready to turn your creative talents into a thriving business that actually pays you what you're worth? Hit subscribe and let's make it happen.© 2025 Firestorm Finance Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Why January Feels Slow for Service Providers and How to Plan for It

    Why January Feels Slow for Service Providers and How to Plan for It
    Jan 21 2026
    Every January, creative entrepreneurs wonder if something's broken in their business. Revenue dips, inquiries slow down, and panic starts to creep in. But here's the truth: Q1 isn't a sign of failure—it's a natural season of reset that happens across almost every creative business. In this episode, I break down why the first quarter always feels strained, what's really happening behind the scenes, and how to use this slower period to strengthen your business instead of spiraling into fear-driven decisions. I walk you through the real reasons Q1 revenue drops (hint: it's not you), the difference between slow seasons and actual business problems, and the strategic moves you should be making right now to set yourself up for a strong spring. You'll leave this episode with clarity on cash flow patterns, confidence in your numbers, and a plan to rebuild instead of panic. In this episode, I cover: Why Q1 revenue naturally dips for creative service providers—clients spent heavily in Q4 on Black Friday, holidays, and year-end tax write-offs, so budgets tighten in January The real reasons inquiries slow down in the first quarter—corporate budgets reset, businesses reorganize internal systems, and teams recover from holiday production exhaustion Why slow doesn't mean failure—cash flow seasons exist just like creative seasons (expansion, contraction, rest, rebuilding), and slower revenue is often just a reset The panic moves that backfire—deep discounting, saying yes to every client, overcommitting out of fear, rushing new offers, and pulling back on marketing when you should stay visible What to actually do in Q1 instead—rebuild systems and SOPs, analyze your margins and client profitability (not just revenue), refresh your marketing, and strengthen your 90-day cash flow forecast How to emotionally navigate a slow quarter—recognizing that slower months aren't a judgment on your business or your character, and knowing when to rest vs. when to push What happens as Q2 approaches—inquiries spike in late February/early March, retainers renew mid-quarter, and the upswing always comes back If you've been stressing over a slow start to the year—or wondering if your business is failing because January feels tight—this episode will help you see Q1 for what it really is: a natural, temporary season that you can use strategically to prepare for the growth that's coming. 🎧 Hit play now and learn how to stop panicking and start preparing so you walk into spring stronger, clearer, and more ready than ever. Links & Resources: Website: https://firestormfinance.com/Podcast Home: https://firestormfinance.com/podcast/Book a Discovery Call: https://firestormfinance.com/contact Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-minds-smart-money-finance-business-tips-for/id1751025388 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2m2SRDIAEjeWSXOgKS4Ff4 Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance Threads: https://www.threads.com/@firestormfinance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-e-8796b6176/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firestormfinance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirestormFinance Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Why Q1 always feels slow for creative businesses 1:18 The real reasons revenue dips in January (it's not you) 4:41 Why slow doesn't mean your business is failing 6:49 The panic moves that backfire in Q1 9:34 What to actually do during a slow quarter (rebuild, analyze, plan)
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    19 mins
  • 5 Money Habits That Prevent Q1 Burnout for Creative Entrepreneurs

    5 Money Habits That Prevent Q1 Burnout for Creative Entrepreneurs
    Jan 14 2026
    New year energy has a way of making us think we need to overhaul everything overnight—but smart growth doesn't come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things consistently. In this episode, I'm breaking down the five money habits that separate businesses that grow sustainably from those that burn out by March. These aren't complicated systems or time-intensive routines—they're the financial fundamentals that keep your business grounded, profitable, and built to last. Topics Covered: Know your profit levers – Why understanding which of the four levers (pricing, volume, efficiency, cost structure) impacts your profit fastest helps you stop guessing and start making strategic decisions that actually move the needle Track your cost of service every month – How contractors, tools, and scope creep quietly eat your profit even when revenue is growing, and why monitoring your gross margin is the easiest way to catch trouble early Follow your cash flow, not your feelings – The difference between revenue stress and cash flow stress, and why irregular income can lead to reactive decisions like discounting, overbooking, or panic hiring Tighten your scope and boundaries – Where creative service providers lose the most money (underscoping and overpromising), and how clear deliverables, revision limits, and capacity planning protect both your profit and your time Plan your retainer and capacity numbers early – Why guessing your capacity leads to burnout, and how mapping your actual time needs prevents you from taking on too many clients, underpricing retainers, or rushing delivery before Q2 even starts Your business doesn't need more hustle in Q1—it needs better habits. When you build these five financial routines into your workflow early, you stop running on panic and start running on purpose. You'll feel more grounded, more confident, and more in control than you ever have before. That's how you grow the smart way. Links & Resources: Website: https://firestormfinance.com/ Podcast Home: https://firestormfinance.com/podcast/ Book a Discovery Call: https://firestormfinance.com/contact Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-minds-smart-money-finance-business-tips-for/id1751025388 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2m2SRDIAEjeWSXOgKS4Ff4 Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance Threads: https://www.threads.com/@firestormfinance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-e-8796b6176/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firestormfinance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirestormFinance Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/ Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction: Why better habits beat more work in Q 11:05 Know your profit levers and track cost of service 5:50 Follow cash flow, not feelings: revenue stress vs. cash flow stress 8:27 Tighten your scope and boundaries to protect profit 10:40 Plan capacity early and build your CEO dashboard
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    16 mins
  • Why New Year's Resolutions Fail Your Business (And What Works Instead)

    Why New Year's Resolutions Fail Your Business (And What Works Instead)
    Jan 7 2026
    New year, new you? Your business doesn't need a brand-new version of you—it needs you to show up with the same consistency you'd bring to any relationship you care about. If you've been treating your finances like a January project that fades by February, you're missing the steady rhythm your business actually needs to thrive. In this episode of Creative Minds, Smart Money, I break down why New Year's resolutions fail creative entrepreneurs and what to do instead: treat your business like a relationship, not a resolution. Topics Covered In this episode, I cover: Why resolutions fade by February — the shiny-object trap that keeps you from building sustainable financial habits The relationship framework for your business — attention (reviewing your numbers regularly), communication (listening to what your financial statements tell you), and consistency (showing up beyond January) What a financially healthy relationship looks like — knowing how much money is coming in and going out, never ghosting your books for months, and building rhythm with weekly money dates, monthly reviews, and quarterly check-ins Monthly vs. quarterly vs. annual reviews — monthly tells you what happened, quarterly shows you what's changing, and annual planning reveals what's next The four pillars of a financially strong relationship — clarity (honest communication with your numbers), consistency (showing up regularly), context (listening to the story your numbers tell), and intention (walking in the same direction as your goals) What changes when you stop treating your business like a resolution — calmer decisions, confident pricing, understanding your capacity and cash flow, and building steady, sustainable growth instead of one-time spikes How to recommit to your business in 2026 — weekly check-ins, noticing when something feels off, stopping decisions driven by fear or scarcity, and honoring the financial goals you've set together Your business doesn't need an overhaul. It needs you to keep showing up for the relationship you've already built. When you treat your finances like a partnership instead of a project, you move from reactive panic to proactive clarity. Hit play now and learn how to build a financially healthy relationship with your business—one that lasts all year long. Resources & Links Website: https://firestormfinance.com/Podcast Home: https://firestormfinance.com/podcast/Book a Discovery Call: https://firestormfinance.com/contact Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-minds-smart-money-finance-business-tips-for/id1751025388 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2m2SRDIAEjeWSXOgKS4Ff4 Free Resources: Strategic Success Mini Workshop: https://firestormfinance.myflodesk.com/blmpbbkjq6 QuickBooks Setup Checklist: https://firestormfinance.myflodesk.com/quickbooks-checklist 5-Minute Money Clarity Checklist: https://firestormfinance.myflodesk.com/5minutemoneyclarity Social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance Threads: https://www.threads.com/@firestormfinance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-e-8796b6176/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firestormfinance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirestormFinance Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/
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    15 mins
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