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

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

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.

Episodes

The True Cost of Saying Yes: How Overcommitting Kills Your Profit (and Peace of Mind)

December 24, 2025 • 12 mins
Saying yes feels good in the moment—but what if every yes is quietly costing you profit, peace of mind, and the opportunities that actually matter? As you plan for 2026, it's time to get honest about overcommitment and what it's really doing to your business.  In this episode, I'm breaking down the emotional drivers that push us to say yes, the financial toll of stretched-thin schedules, and the three filters you need to protect y...
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How to Make a Cash Flow Forecast for 2026 That You'll Actually Use

December 17, 2025 • 12 mins
Planning for 2026 doesn't mean predicting the future perfectly—it means giving yourself a realistic roadmap so your cash flow doesn't blindside you. After reviewing your 2025 numbers, it's time to flip the page and build a cash flow forecast you'll actually use. In this episode, I walk you through how to make a cash flow forecast that's grounded in real data, accounts for your known income and expenses, and helps you spot problems ...
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What Your 2025 Numbers Are Really Telling You (And Why It Matters for 2026)

December 10, 2025 • 15 mins
Your year-end reports aren't just a stack of paperwork to send off to your CPA—they're the roadmap to understanding what worked, what didn't, and what needs to shift in 2026. If you've been wrapping up your books and filing everything away without actually digging into the data, you're missing the story your business is trying to tell you. In this episode of Creative Minds, Smart Money, I walk you through how to analyze your 2025...
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How to Prepare Your Business for Tax Season Before December Ends

December 3, 2025 • 16 mins
Another year in business is worth celebrating, but your year-end checklist determines how smoothly next year starts. In this episode, I walk you through the exact steps creative entrepreneurs need to take before December ends to set up a stress-free tax season and a financially clear 2026. Topics Covered: Why cleaning up your books in December matters more than scrambling in April – Getting transactions categorized and reco...
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Receipt Tracking for Creative Entrepreneurs: Beyond IRS Compliance

November 26, 2025 • 9 mins
You're saving receipts, but are you actually using them? Most creative entrepreneurs treat receipts like paperwork clutter—tossing them in a shoebox or snapping photos that disappear into their camera roll. But receipts aren't just about IRS compliance. They're the details that protect your business, clarify your spending, and give you real financial power when organized correctly. Topics Covered Why the IRS requires receipt...
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Why Categorizing Your Business Expenses Matters Beyond Taxes

November 19, 2025 • 11 mins
Your bookkeeping categories aren't just for tax season—they're the foundation of every smart money decision you make in your business. If you've been treating categorization like a compliance checkbox, you're missing out on the clarity that drives profitability, cash flow planning, and confident pricing. In this episode of Creative Minds, Smart Money, I break down why categorization matters far beyond what you send to the IRS, and ...
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AI Bookkeeping Tools: The Hidden Risks Creative Entrepreneurs Need to Know

November 12, 2025 • 14 mins
AI-powered bookkeeping tools promise to automate your financial life and save you money—but at what cost? Everyone online makes AI sound like the magic fix for messy books, but here's the truth: I see creative entrepreneurs rely too heavily on automation and end up with misclassified transactions, compliance nightmares, and zero strategic insight into their numbers. In this episode of Creative Minds, Smart Money, I break down the r...
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Bookkeeping Platform or Bookkeeper? How to Choose (and When to Switch)

November 5, 2025 • 16 mins
Everyone online makes bookkeeping platforms sound like a magic fix: low cost, hands-off, done-for-you. But here’s the truth—I see creatives pick a platform too fast (or switch too late) and end up with messy categorization, limited data ownership, and zero strategic insight. In this episode of Creative Minds, Smart Money, I break down how to choose between a bookkeeping platform vs. a bookkeeper, when to switch, and how to keep you...
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Sales Tax Made Simple for Creative Entrepreneurs

October 29, 2025 • 14 mins
Sales tax is confusing—no way around it. Every state has different rules, the jargon feels overwhelming, and half the time you’re left wondering if you’re even supposed to charge it. But here’s the thing: even service providers sometimes owe sales tax. And not knowing the rules can leave you stressed, noncompliant, or accidentally footing the bill yourself. In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, I break down sales tax in pl...
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The Hidden Costs of Becoming an S Corp

October 22, 2025 • 14 mins
Everyone online makes becoming an S-Corp sound like the ultimate financial glow-up: lower taxes, more legitimacy, instant upgrade. But here’s the truth—jumping in too early can actually hurt your business more than it helps. In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, I break down the real dangers of switching to an S-Corp before you’re ready. From payroll requirements to higher admin costs to IRS scrutiny, we’ll cover what you ...
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Are Your Business Numbers Normal How to Tell If You’re On Track

October 15, 2025 • 14 mins
Ever wondered if your business is actually doing okay—or if you’re falling behind? That’s where benchmarking comes in. Don’t worry, it’s not a fancy finance term you need to memorize—it’s simply comparing your numbers to industry standards so you know what’s normal, where you’re strong, and what could use some tweaking. In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, I’ll walk you through how to give your numbers context without spi...
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The 5 Numbers Every Creative Business Should Track

October 8, 2025 • 16 mins
KPIs get tossed around a lot—but most creatives aren’t told which ones actually matter or how to use them. In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, we break down KPIs in plain English and turn them into decision-making shortcuts. You’ll learn how to pick a small set of metrics that fit your business model, track them without drowning in spreadsheets, and use them to improve pricing, delivery, delegation, and profit. In this e...
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Is Your Business Really Profitable How to Find Out

October 1, 2025 • 17 mins
Bringing in steady revenue but still wondering where all your money is going? That’s where profitability analysis comes in. In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, I break down what profitability analysis is, why it matters, and how it helps you stop guessing and start making smarter, more profitable decisions. We’re not just talking about whether your business as a whole is profitable—we’re diving into whether your offers, ...
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Cash vs Accrual Accounting Explained for Creative Business Owners

September 24, 2025 • 9 mins
Cash vs accrual accounting might sound like the most boring finance term in the world—but it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make for your business. In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, I break down the difference between cash basis and accrual basis accounting using plain language and real-world examples. From why your P&L sometimes says you lost money even after a big sale, to how unpaid invoices or pr...
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Building Freedom Into Your Business with Airtable with Elisabeth Jackson

September 17, 2025 • 41 mins
Think Airtable is just another tool to organize your tasks? Think again. In this episode, we’re diving into how Airtable can become the blueprint for your entire business helping you plug profit leaks, make smarter pricing decisions, and create systems that give you real freedom. Elisabeth Jackson, operations specialist and founder of her own process improvement agency, shares how she uses Airtable to build client health trackers, ...
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How to Pay Employees the Right Way (and Avoid Costly Mistakes)

September 10, 2025 • 18 mins
Making payroll mistakes can cost you more than money! It can cost you your peace of mind. If you’ve hired employees and are now staring at a list of payroll apps wondering which one is best, this episode will break it down in simple terms. In this episode of Creative Minds, Smart Money, we explore the most popular payroll tools, the legal requirements for paying employees, and how to choose the right system without the overwhelm. Q...
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Should You Hire an Employee or a Contractor for Your Business?

September 3, 2025 • 20 mins
In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, host Samantha Eck breaks down one of the biggest hiring questions creative business owners face: should you bring on an employee or a contractor? Choosing the wrong classification can be a costly mistake legally, financially, and emotionally. Samantha explains the differences between employees and contractors in plain language and shares real-world examples to help you avoid IRS red fl...
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Master Cash Flow Forecasting for Creative Businesses

August 27, 2025 • 16 mins
Think cash flow forecasting is just a fancy spreadsheet exercise? Think again.   In this episode, we’re digging into why cash flow forecasting is one of the most powerful leadership tools in your creative business—and how it gives you permission to plan, not panic.   From knowing when you can afford to hire or invest to making sure you don’t underpay yourself “just in case,” forecasting helps you grow with confidence (and sleep bet...
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Why Messy Action Builds Better Businesses

August 20, 2025 • 55 mins
Think collaboration is all about follower swaps and forced partnerships? Think again.   In this episode, I’m joined by the powerhouse duo Mandy and Jamie from Coffee with M and J—and we’re diving into the real, messy, magical side of collaboration, community-building, and saying “yes” to aligned action (even when it’s scary as hell).   From launching their podcast with zero experience to building a working relationship that’s roote...
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Why CFO Strategy Isn’t Just for Big Businesses

August 13, 2025 • 16 mins
Think CFOs are only for 7-figure businesses and boardrooms full of suits? Think again.   In this episode, we’re unpacking what fractional CFO strategy actually looks like for creative business owners—and why this level of support isn’t just for the “big dogs.”   From forecasting and pricing to planning for slow seasons, we’re talking about how to make strategic, data-backed decisions before your business outgrows your systems. Beca...
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