Episodes

  • The Creative Entrepreneur's Financial Journey | Mike Michalowicz
    Nov 21 2024

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    PROFITABLE TALKS...

    In this episode of The Profitable Creative, host Christian Brim and guest Mike Michalowicz explore the intricate relationship between creativity and analytical thinking in entrepreneurship. They discuss the challenges creatives face in understanding profitability and financial management, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach that leverages both creative instincts and logical frameworks. Mike shares his personal journey through financial struggles and the development of the Profit First system, designed to help entrepreneurs manage their finances effectively. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in mindset regarding revenue and profit, advocating for a focus on financial health over mere revenue generation.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS....

    • Creatives often struggle with the analytical aspects of business.
    • Profitability can be communicated in simpler terms.
    • Most entrepreneurs lean towards creativity, which can hinder financial management.
    • Avoidance of numbers is common among creatives, but they can improve.
    • A simple system can help leverage natural instincts in financial management.
    • Accountants may resist new systems like Profit First due to traditional training.
    • Financial struggles are a common experience for many entrepreneurs.
    • Revenue should not be the sole focus; profit is essential for sustainability.
    • The perception of success often masks the reality of struggle.
    • Entrepreneurs need to prioritize financial health over revenue growth.

    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    23 mins
  • The Power of Leads: Call the Damn Leads | Drewbie Wilson
    Nov 19 2024

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    In this episode of Profitable Creative, host Christian Brim speaks with Drewbie Wilson of Call the Damn Leads about the importance of doing the work in entrepreneurship, defining success on one's own terms, and the balance between profit and time freedom. Drewbie shares his journey from sales to marketing, the challenges of financial management, and the significance of understanding one's worth. The conversation emphasizes the need for hard work, the reality of entrepreneurship, and the importance of following up on leads to achieve business growth.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS...

    • Doing the work is essential for achieving results.
    • Many entrepreneurs struggle with the balance of getting leads and following up on them.
    • Success is a personal definition that varies from person to person.
    • Time, energy, and effort are finite resources that should be invested wisely.
    • It's important to define what success means to you personally.
    • Fast money often leads to fast losses; slow and steady wins the race.
    • You must be willing to do the work, even when it's not enjoyable.
    • Understanding your worth is crucial in business negotiations.
    • Financial challenges often stem from ingrained beliefs about money.
    • The right people will recognize your value and pay accordingly.

    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    44 mins
  • From Corporate to Consulting | Cameron Williams
    Nov 14 2024

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    In this episode, Christian Brim interviews Cameron Williams of Kynli Consulting, an accounting and fractional CFO consulting firm. They discuss Cameron's journey in starting his own consulting firm and specializing in working with marketing agencies. They also share some of their worst horror stories dealing with clients who struggle with numbers and financial management. The main theme of the conversation is the importance of communication and collaboration between accountants and creatives to ensure financial success. In this conversation, Cameron Williams and Christian Brim discuss common mistakes and misconceptions business owners have about taxes and accounting. They highlight the importance of clean finances and accurate record-keeping, as well as the need for effective tax planning and strategies. They also caution against fraudulent tax preparers and unrealistic promises of tax savings. The conversation emphasizes the value of working with a knowledgeable accountant who can provide personalized advice and guidance.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS..

    • Starting a consulting firm requires taking risks and learning from both successes and failures.
    • Niche specialization, such as working with marketing agencies, can lead to significant growth and success.
    • Creatives and marketing agencies often struggle with numbers and financial management, highlighting the need for accountants to bridge the gap.
    • Clear communication and collaboration between accountants and creatives are essential for financial success.
    • Cash flow is a common challenge for marketing agencies, and it can be addressed by managing distributions, loans, and credit card payments. Clean finances and accurate record-keeping are crucial for effective tax planning and compliance.
    • Working with a knowledgeable accountant can help business owners navigate complex tax laws and maximize tax savings.
    • Beware of fraudulent tax preparers who make unrealistic promises of tax savings.
    • Tax strategies should be tailored to each individual's unique financial situation and goals.




    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    44 mins
  • Flying High: The Journey of FlyRoute | Collin Caffrey
    Nov 12 2024

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    In this episode of the Profitable Creative, host Christian Brim interviews Colin Caffrey, founder of FlyRoute, a drone film service provider specializing in high school football. Colin shares his journey from a career in private aviation to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and successes he faced while building his business. He emphasizes the importance of pricing strategies, market research, and the implementation of the Profit First system to ensure financial health. Colin also introduces the service partner model for expansion and reflects on the significance of branding and naming his company.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS...

    • FlyRoute specializes in drone film for athletic programs.
    • Colin transitioned from private aviation to entrepreneurship.
    • Pricing strategies are crucial for business sustainability.
    • Market research helps in setting competitive prices.
    • Growth can be rapid but requires foundational support.
    • Profit First helps manage finances effectively.
    • The service partner model allows for expansion without franchising.
    • Branding is essential for business identity.
    • Colin emphasizes the importance of leadership in business.
    • Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success.



    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    40 mins
  • Incorporating Personal Passions into Your Brand | Amy Singleton
    Nov 7 2024

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    Amy Singleton of Hite Digital discusses her journey from being a registered nurse to starting a digital marketing agency. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the business side of marketing and the need for a solid foundation in areas like operations and customer experience. Amy's passion is bringing hope and purpose to people who have experienced failure, and she incorporates this into her personal brand. She explains how creativity and practicality can intersect to turn passion into profit, and she describes it as a symbiotic relationship. In this conversation, Amy Singleton and Christian Brim discuss the concept of a lifestyle brand and how it relates to business and branding. They explore the importance of community and creating a common language and symbols to build a strong brand. They also delve into the power of branding and how it can influence consumer behavior. They touch on the challenges of hiring and pricing in business, as well as the need for clear expectations and value pricing. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of building a strong brand and providing a great client experience.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS...

    • Understanding the business side of marketing is crucial for success.
    • A solid foundation in areas like operations and customer experience is necessary for effective marketing.
    • Incorporating personal passions into your brand can attract the right audience.
    • Creativity and practicality can intersect to turn passion into profit.
    • A symbiotic relationship between creativity and practicality is key to success. A lifestyle brand is a way of looking at life and business, and it involves creating a community and a common language among customers.
    • Branding has the power to influence consumer behavior and create emotional connections with customers.
    • Hiring can be challenging for business owners, but being clear on expectations and using a scorecard approach can help find the right fit.
    • Raising prices can be difficult, but it is important to charge what you are worth and provide a quality product or service.
    • Building a strong brand and providing a great client experience are key to success in business.





    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    43 mins
  • Playing for Change: Music with a Purpose | Peter Bunetta
    Nov 5 2024

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    PROFITABLE TALKS...

    In this episode of The Profitable Creative, host Christian Brim interviews renowned musician and producer Peter Bunetta. They discuss Peter's journey from a young drummer inspired by The Beatles to becoming a successful producer in the music industry. Peter shares insights on the importance of learning the business side of music, building relationships, overcoming financial struggles, and the significance of independence in creative work. He also emphasizes the value of passion in music and the lessons learned from failures and rejections. The conversation concludes with Peter's involvement in the 'Playing for Change' initiative, which aims to build schools for music and art around the world.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS...

    • Peter's early inspiration came from watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan.
    • Support from family was crucial in Peter's musical journey.
    • Understanding the business side of music is essential for success.
    • Building authentic relationships is key in the music industry.
    • Financial struggles can be overcome with resilience and creativity.
    • Independence allows for greater creative freedom in music.
    • Passion for music drives Peter's work and legacy.
    • Learning from failures is a vital part of the journey.
    • The future of music is shaped by new technologies and innovations.
    • 'Playing for Change' highlights the power of music to create positive change.





    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    46 mins
  • The Role of Human Judgment in Creative Fields and The Changing Importance of Money | Bo Bennett
    Oct 31 2024

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    PROFITABLE TALKS....

    Bo Bennett discusses the impact of AI on the publishing industry and how creatives can adapt to the changing landscape. He shares how AI can be used to write books, create artwork, and automate marketing tasks. Bo emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of AI by focusing on personal expertise and finding new ways to add value. He also addresses the fear of job loss due to AI and highlights the need for human judgment and context in certain industries. Bo shares his own experience of using AI to turn book ideas into full manuscripts and explains the challenges and opportunities of working with AI. The conversation explores the role of AI in society and the impact it has on various aspects of life. It discusses the feedback loop between AI and human contributions, the potential for AI to detect its own writing, and the belief that AI is just a hype bubble. The conversation also touches on the relationship between money and happiness, the importance of making intentional choices, and the pursuit of financial success. It concludes with a discussion on personal accomplishments, the influence of luck in success, and the entrepreneurial background of the guest.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS...

    • AI has revolutionized the publishing industry by automating tasks such as writing, summarizing, and marketing.
    • Creatives can adapt to the AI era by focusing on their personal expertise and finding new ways to add value.
    • While AI can perform certain tasks better than humans, there is still a demand for human judgment and context in creative fields.
    • AI tools can assist creatives in generating ideas, expanding on concepts, and streamlining the creative process.
    • The fear of job loss due to AI is not new, and history has shown that industries adapt and new opportunities arise. AI and human contributions have a feedback loop, with AI detecting its own writing and human contributions shaping the development of AI.
    • The belief that AI is just a hype bubble may be due to the lack of immediate impact on certain fields, but it is important to recognize its potential for future disruption.
    • Money can be a motivator, but its importance may change over time as other priorities, such as family and societal contributions, take precedence.
    • Financial success is influenced by luck and timing, in addition to personal skills and determination.
    • Personal accomplishments can include both professional achievements and personal growth, and the pursuit of wealth should be balanced with other aspects of life.




    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    39 mins
  • The Dangers of Self-Deception | Robert Hunt
    Oct 29 2024

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    PROFITABLE TALKS...

    In this conversation, Christian Brim interviews author Robert J. Hunt about his book 'Nobody Cares' and the concept of accountability. They discuss the importance of taking ownership of one's life and making the necessary changes to achieve success. They also explore the role of coaches in holding entrepreneurs accountable and the power of self-deception. The conversation emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to surround themselves with a supportive network and be open to feedback and criticism. The conversation explores the importance of taking ownership and being proactive in both personal and professional life. It emphasizes the need to make intentional decisions and set clear goals to achieve financial freedom and success. The speakers discuss the power of agency and the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive network. They also highlight the value of seeking feedback and being open to making adjustments along the way.

    PROFITABLE TAKEAWAYS...

    • Accountability is crucial for personal and professional growth.
    • Entrepreneurs need to take ownership of their lives and businesses.
    • Coaches can provide valuable guidance and accountability.
    • Self-deception can hinder progress and success.
    • Surrounding oneself with a supportive network is essential. Take ownership of your life and business, and make intentional decisions.
    • Define your financial goals and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
    • Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors and peers.
    • Seek feedback and be open to making adjustments to improve.
    • Focus on lead generation rather than just building your brand.
    • Implement accountability systems to achieve your goals.



    Ready to turn your PASSION into PROFIT?!? Let's get CREATIVE ➡️
    https://www.coregroupus.com/profit-first-for-creatives

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    48 mins