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PODCAST

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

Samantha Eck | Bookkeeper 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

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

14:25

How to Know If a Big Purchase Is Right for Your Business

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2026/02/04

Big purchases feel exciting—until they don't. A new MacBook, a $3,000 coaching program, or that "game-changing" software build can look like the smartest move for your business... until six months later when you're staring at your cash flow wondering what happened. In this episode, I'm breaking down what actually counts as a big investment, why these decisions feel so emotionally charged, and how to think about them strategically instead of letting urgency, fear, or comparison drive your

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14:34

January Business Planning: 7 Habits of Successful...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2026/01/28

Everyone online makes January sound like the month you need to hit the ground running—new goals, new offers, aggressive client outreach. But here's the truth: the fastest-growing creative entrepreneurs I work with aren't doing any of that.In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, I'm breaking down what my highest-growth clients are actually doing in January while everyone else is panicking. From reviewing last year's data to tightening their offers to planning capacity before they sell

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19:20

Why January Feels Slow for Service Providers and How...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2026/01/21

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

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16:14

5 Money Habits That Prevent Q1 Burnout for Creative...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2026/01/14

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:

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14:36

Why New Year's Resolutions Fail Your Business (And...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2026/01/07

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

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11:41

Year-End Financial Review: Turn Your Numbers Into a...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/12/31

You've closed the books on 2025, reviewed your numbers, and built your forecast—now what? Most creative entrepreneurs stop right there, but the real power comes from turning all that financial clarity into a roadmap you can actually follow. In this episode of Creative Minds, Smart Money, I'm walking you through a mini strategy session you can do yourself with just a notebook, your favorite drink, and an honest look at what worked (and what didn't) in 2025.Topics Covered In this episode, I

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12:43

The True Cost of Saying Yes: How Overcommitting Kills...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/12/24

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 your energy and margins in the year ahead. Topics Covered The

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12:07

How to Make a Cash Flow Forecast for 2026 That You'll...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/12/17

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 before they become crises.Topics Covered Why your 2025 data

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15:12

What Your 2025 Numbers Are Really Telling You (And...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/12/10

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 numbers on a month-by-month, quarter-by-quarter, and year-over-year

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16:14

How to Prepare Your Business for Tax Season Before...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/12/03

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 reconciled now means you can file taxes early (or at least on time)

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9:02

Receipt Tracking for Creative Entrepreneurs: Beyond...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/11/26

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 receipts over $75 — and why you should keep receipts for smaller purchases

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11:40

Why Categorizing Your Business Expenses Matters...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/11/19

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 how custom categories can transform the way you understand and grow

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14:45

AI Bookkeeping Tools: The Hidden Risks Creative...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/11/12

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 real risks of AI in bookkeeping and why pairing technology with human

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16:20

Bookkeeping Platform or Bookkeeper? How to Choose...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/11/05

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 your bookkeeping data portable no matter what you pick.I walk through

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14:01

Sales Tax Made Simple for Creative Entrepreneurs

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/10/29

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 plain English—what it is, when you need to collect it, and how to keep

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12:56

The Hidden Costs of Becoming an S Corp

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/10/22

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 need in place before making the leap, and a checklist to know when the

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12:42

Are Your Business Numbers Normal How to Tell If...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/10/15

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 spiraling into comparison. Instead of copying someone’s “six-figure month”

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14:46

The 5 Numbers Every Creative Business Should Track

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/10/08

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 episode, we cover:✅ What a KPI really is and why it must be tied to a

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16:28

Is Your Business Really Profitable How to Find Out

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/10/01

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, clients, and projects are actually generating profit.From spotting

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07:48

Cash vs Accrual Accounting Explained for Creative...

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips... ·

2025/09/24

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 prepaid retainers can distort your numbers, this episode will

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86 results

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