The Creative Entrepreneur Mindset: Planning, Budgeting & Growth

Creative entrepreneurs don’t fail because they lack ideas — they fail because they don’t plan their money. This session shows how to shift creatives from survival mode to structured growth.

2 CPD units 13 May 2026 1 presenter

What will set you apart

By completing this course you will gain the following competencies

How creative entrepreneurs think about money and growth
Why creatives avoid budgets — and how to change that
How to build simple, realistic budgets for creative businesses
How planning supports better pricing and decisions
How cash flow limits growth in creative practices
How to guide creatives toward sustainable growth
How mindset affects financial discipline and results

Event breakdown

Understanding the creative entrepreneur mindset
Why creatives struggle with planning and budgets
Simple budgeting approaches for creative businesses
Linking budgets to pricing and cash flow
Planning for irregular income
Short-term versus long-term thinking
Growth decisions and financial readiness
Guiding creatives through financial discipline
Supporting sustainable creative business growth

Category: Management AccountingType: CPD CourseCPD category: Management Accounting

Description

Creative entrepreneurs often have strong vision and talent but struggle with structure and financial discipline. This session focuses on the mindset shifts needed for effective planning, budgeting, and growth in creative businesses. Delegates will learn how creatives approach money, why traditional budgeting often fails for them, and how to introduce financial structure without killing creativity. The session explains how planning and budgeting support better decisions, healthier cash flow, and long-term growth. Designed for CIBA members who advise creative clients or work within creative businesses, this session provides practical tools to help creatives move from reactive decision-making to intentional growth. By the end of the session, delegates will be able to support creative entrepreneurs with financial planning that actually works.

Presenters

Leana van der Merwe — Leana van der Merwe is a Chartered Accountant and Registered Auditor with over 18 years of experience in business accounting, audit and corporate governance. A former Audit Director and professional-body Technical and Standards Executive, she has guided more than 14,000 professionals through complex regulatory matters. Leana also serves on the PAFA Technical Advisory Group, the IFAC Anti-Money Laundering Committee and the IFRS Foundation SME Implementation Group.

You will earn a certificate

On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 2 CPD units in Management Accounting.

Requirements

Laptop, desktop, or mobile device with internet access
Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser