Send us a text

Welcome back to the Creative Minds Smart Money Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re covering one of the most essential (and often neglected) parts of running a business: how to pay yourself.

Join Samantha as she breaks down:

• The different ways to pay yourself depending on your business structure (and why S-Corps require you to take a reasonable salary!).
• Why understanding cash flow and profit is key to figuring out how much to pay yourself.
• The golden rule for paying yourself: 30-50% of your monthly profit.
• How to save for taxes (because Uncle Sam always wants his cut).
• The importance of setting up a routine so your pay is consistent.
• And finally, the mindset shift: paying yourself is NOT a luxury—it’s an absolute must.

Ready to start paying yourself properly? This episode gives you the step-by-step breakdown.

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/

Newsletter: https://firestorm-finance.ck.page/8194316ed3

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.

Send us a text

Welcome to another episode of the Creative Minds Smart Money Podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of slow months—those times when business feels quieter than usual, and you're wondering how to make the most of it. Spoiler alert: slow months are not the end of the world! They’re a golden opportunity to focus on growth, assess your business, and invest in yourself.

What We Cover:

• Reframe your mindset around slow months. It’s not a failure, it’s an opportunity to get your business in shape.
• Assess your financial health and review those key financial reports (check out our episode on Financial Reports for Creative Entrepreneurs for a deep dive into those).
• Build systems and processes that will save you time when business picks up again. This is the perfect chance to optimize, streamline, and prep for the busy times ahead.
• Nurture your current clients—don’t forget to love on those you’re already working with. Strong relationships can lead to new opportunities.
• Invest in yourself—take this time to learn, grow, and become an even better business owner. Whether it's taking a course, hiring a coach, or reading up on new strategies, this is your time to sharpen your tools.
• Market yourself even when business is slow. Stay visible, stay relevant, and stay top of mind for your audience.
• Rest and recharge. Yes, seriously. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and your creative energy.
• Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you turn slow months into your secret weapon for success.

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/

Newsletter: https://firestorm-finance.ck.page/8194316ed3

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.

Send us a text

In this episode, Samantha Eck welcomes Celina from Luna Marketing Services, a seasoned marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in social media marketing and co-founder of Luna Marketing Services. Together, they dive deep into the world of social media marketing, content creation, and audience engagement for small business owners and creatives.

They touch on:

• Stay Consistent: Regular posting and visibility across platforms help build a strong online presence.
• Engage Authentically: Thoughtful, meaningful interactions are essential to growing trust with your audience.
• Content Bank: Build up a stash of content during your creative bursts to stay consistent on slow days.
• Balance AI & Your Voice: Use AI as a tool to help, but always inject your unique voice into your content.
• Play the Long Game: Social media and organic growth take time—patience and persistence pay off.
• Have Fun: If content creation feels draining, take a step back. Your mental health comes first!

Connect with Samantha:
Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/
Newsletter: https://firestorm-finance.ck.page/8194316ed3

Connect with Celina:
Website: https://lunamarketingservices.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunamarketingservices/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lunamarketingservices
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lunamarketingserv

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.

Send us a text

Today on Creative Minds Smart Money, we’re tackling a huge topic for every creative entrepreneur—setting the perfect pricing for your services. 💰 You’ve got skills, you’ve got value, and now it’s time to make sure you’re getting paid what you’re truly worth.

We’re breaking down everything you need to know to feel confident in your pricing, including:

• Knowing your worth and why admin hours absolutely count
• How to charge for the transformation you’re delivering, not just your time
• Why checking the market is helpful, but it shouldn’t control your pricing
• The importance of testing, adjusting, and evolving your prices as you grow
• Making your pricing visible and why it’s key to attracting the right clients

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for a while, pricing is something we all need to revisit. By the end of this episode, you’ll have the clarity and confidence to set prices that reflect your true value and ensure your business thrives. So, let’s dive in and get those numbers working for you!

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/

Newsletter: https://firestorm-finance.ck.page/8194316ed3

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.

Send us a text

In today’s episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, we’re diving into cash flow mastery—the money moves that every creative entrepreneur needs to get a handle on. Whether you're a freelancer, coach, or creative business owner, cash flow can make or break your business, and it's time we get real about how to master it.

I’m breaking down the key strategies you need to stay in control of your money, including:

• How to track Cash In vs. Cash Out
• Projecting your cash flow for the months ahead
• Dealing with clients who don’t pay on time (we’ve all been there)
• What to do when slow months hit, and how to build a financial cushion

Plus, we’re building on the finance routines you’ve already started—because it’s time to add cash flow tracking to the mix. Don’t let your money be a mystery. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel confident in managing your cash flow, planning for the future, and keeping your business running like the money-making machine it is.

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/

Newsletter: https://firestorm-finance.ck.page/8194316ed3

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.

Send us a text

On today's episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, we’re diving into the world of AI for creative entrepreneurs! Whether you're a solopreneur, freelancer, or small business owner, AI can help you level up your business without the overwhelm. Our guest today, Nikki, founder of The Creative Copilot, breaks down how to integrate AI into your workflow and use it as your personal assistant (not a replacement) to save time and boost productivity.

Here’s what we’re covering today:

• Getting started with AI—how to use tools like ChatGPT or Claude to eliminate the annoying little tasks that drain your time and energy.
• Delegating with AI—how to train AI tools to understand your business, voice, and unique needs.
• The assistant mindset—how viewing AI as an assistant (instead of a robot takeover) can make a world of difference in reducing your workload.
• Busting AI myths—is AI going to take over the world, or just help with your to-do list? Spoiler: It’s the latter.
• The future of AI for creatives—why getting started now can give you a competitive edge and free up time for the things you actually enjoy.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the AI talk or just weren’t sure where to start, this episode is for you. Get ready to embrace AI without feeling like you need a tech degree.

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/

Newsletter: https://firestorm-finance.ck.page/8194316ed3

Connect with Niki:

Website: https://thecreativecopilot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativecopilot/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thecreativecopilot

The Creative Brief: https://creativecopilot.samcart.com/products/thecreativebrief/

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.

Send us a text

Welcome back to the Creative Minds Smart Money Podcast! I’m your host, Samantha Eck, and in today’s episode, we’re talking about something every creative entrepreneur needs but most tend to avoid—financial reports. Whether you're running a thriving creative business or just getting started, knowing your numbers can be the difference between growing and struggling.

Today, I’m breaking down the three essential financial reports that every creative entrepreneur should know:
💰 Profit & Loss Statement – How much are you really making?
📊 Balance Sheet – A complete snapshot of your financial health.
💸 Cash Flow Statement – Understanding the flow of money in and out of your business.

These reports aren’t just about tracking numbers—they’re telling you the story of your business, helping you spot opportunities, and warning you when things might be going off the rails. Plus, I’ll explain why checking these reports monthly can help you make smarter business decisions and keep you on track.

Don’t let your numbers intimidate you—grab your coffee, dive in, and learn how to make these reports work for you. Your future self will thank you!

Connect with Samantha:

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/firestormfinance/

Newsletter: https://firestorm-finance.ck.page/8194316ed3

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.

Send us a text

Welcome back to the Creative Minds, Smart Money podcast! I’m your host, Samantha Eck, and today, we’re diving into one of the most crucial yet often dreaded parts of running a business: invoicing. Whether you're a freelancer, small business owner, or creative entrepreneur, getting paid should be the smoothest part of your business.

In this episode, we’ll cover the key strategies to simplify your invoicing process, prevent late payments, and make sure you’re paid on time—every time. I’ll also introduce some of the best invoicing tools, like QuickBooks, HoneyBook, and Dubsado, that can take the stress out of chasing payments and help you stay organized.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The importance of setting clear payment terms from the start.
• How to customize your invoices for a professional, branded look.
• Why automation is your best friend when it comes to chasing payments.
• Tools for invoicing, from accounting software like QuickBooks and FreshBooks to payment processors like Stripe and PayPal.
• CRM systems like HoneyBook and Dubsado that streamline your entire client process, from contract to payment.

Whether you’re just starting out or refining your business processes, this episode will help you create a seamless invoicing system that keeps your cash flow steady and your stress level low.

Resources Mentioned:

• QuickBooks: Website
• Xero: Website
• FreshBooks: Website
• Stripe: Website
• PayPal: Website
• Square: Website
• HoneyBook: Website
• Dubsado: Website

Connect with Samantha:

🔥 Website: Firestorm Finance
🔥 Instagram: @firestormfinance
🔥 Threads: @firestormfinance
🔥 Pinterest: Firestorm Finance
🔥 Newsletter: Join Here

Have a suggestion for something or someone you'd like to see on this podcast? Fill out this form here.