Financial Education Built on Real Experience
We started teaching finance courses in 2018 because we saw too many creative businesses struggling with basic money management. Not because they lacked talent, but because nobody explained financial planning in ways that made sense for their industry.
How We Got Here
Our path wasn't straightforward. We made mistakes, learned from them, and built something that actually helps people understand their business finances without drowning in jargon.
Starting Small
Launched with weekend workshops for freelance designers in Brisbane. Twenty people showed up to our first session. We taught basic bookkeeping and tax prep using real examples from creative projects.
Going Virtual
Moved everything online during lockdowns. Honestly, it forced us to improve our teaching methods. Turned out screen-sharing budget spreadsheets worked better than handouts anyway.
Expanding Content
Added courses on cash flow forecasting and pricing strategies. We partnered with three accounting firms who let us use anonymized client scenarios for case studies.
Building Community
Started monthly Q&A sessions where past students could ask questions about actual situations they faced. These sessions shaped our 2025 curriculum more than any market research could.
Where We Are Now
Running structured programs throughout the year with cohorts starting in September and February. We focus on creative businesses because that's where our expertise lies, and it's better to do one thing well.
What Drives Our Teaching
We don't believe in making finance intimidating. The terminology can be confusing enough without adding unnecessary complexity.
Our approach comes from years of seeing creative professionals avoid their bookkeeping until tax time. That panic isn't productive, and it's preventable with straightforward systems.
Every lesson we create gets tested with actual business owners before it goes into a course. If someone zones out or looks confused, we rewrite it.
Practical First
Theory has its place, but we start with what you'll actually use next week. Tax deduction tracking comes before financial modeling.
Plain Language
If we catch ourselves using acronyms without explaining them, we fix it. Finance has enough genuine complexity without adding verbal barriers.
Industry Context
Freelancers face different cash flow patterns than agencies. Photographers have different expense structures than writers. We address those differences directly.
Real Scenarios
Every example comes from actual business situations. We change identifying details but keep the messy reality that makes learning stick.
Ongoing Support
Financial management isn't something you learn once and forget. Our alumni can attend quarterly refresher sessions whenever they need a reminder.
Honest Limitations
We're educators, not accountants. When questions go beyond our expertise, we say so and point people toward qualified professionals.
Who's Teaching These Courses
Small team, specific focus. We've each spent years working with creative businesses before we started teaching, so we understand the financial challenges firsthand.
Sienna Blackwood
Program DirectorSpent twelve years as a business manager for design studios before switching to education. I got tired of watching talented people stress over invoicing systems. Now I build courses that actually prevent that stress. Based in Sydney, teach most of the budgeting and forecasting modules.
Freya Kensington
Course DeveloperBackground in accounting software training and adult education. I handle the technical side, making sure our lessons work across different bookkeeping platforms. Also manage student questions during live sessions. Melbourne-based, terrible at remembering to unmute myself on calls.
How Our Programs Work
Structured learning with flexibility for different business types. We run cohorts twice yearly so students can learn alongside others facing similar challenges.
Course Structure
Eight-week programs with two live sessions per week. Sessions run in evenings to accommodate working schedules. Each module builds on the previous one, but we include catch-up materials if you miss a session.
- Live teaching with screen-sharing for software demonstrations
- Recorded sessions available within 24 hours for review
- Weekly assignments based on your actual business finances
- Small group breakout discussions with 4-5 other students
Learning Materials
Everything you need is provided digitally. We use standard spreadsheet templates that work in Excel or Google Sheets. No proprietary software required, though we do cover popular bookkeeping platforms.
- Downloadable templates for invoicing and expense tracking
- Reference guides for common tax deductions in creative industries
- Case study packet with real anonymized business scenarios
- Quarterly financial planning checklist for ongoing use
Post-Course Access
Completion isn't the end of your access. Financial questions come up when you least expect them, usually right before a deadline. We maintain ongoing support channels for graduates.
- Quarterly alumni Q&A sessions covering seasonal tax considerations
- Updated materials when tax regulations change
- Private discussion forum for graduate questions
- Annual refresher workshops at no additional cost
Next Intake Details
Our autumn 2025 cohort starts on September 8th, with spaces for 35 students. Applications open in mid-July. We deliberately keep groups small so everyone gets individual attention during live sessions.
- Eight weeks of structured learning with defined outcomes
- Two time slots available to accommodate different schedules
- Prerequisites: basic computer skills and existing business
- Early 2026 cohort dates announced in November 2025
Questions About Our Programs?
We run information sessions monthly where you can ask questions about course content, structure, and whether our programs match what you need. No sales pressure, just honest answers about what we teach and how we teach it.