(In-person) Factory Seminar – A Guide to Finances for Creatives

What is A Guide to Finances for Creatives with Peter Ball about? 

Join us for this Factory Seminar – A Guide to Finances for Creatives led by published author and start-up business expert Peter Ball. From ordering materials to selling work, managing your finances is vital to ensuring you don’t overspend. This means you can set your prices and manage your time effectively. During this session, you’ll learn how to manage your finances with confidence as a creative business or independent artist. Peter is the author of ‘Start A Small UK Business: Business Planning Tools To Turn Your Ideas Into Business Success’. Using his vast experience in the world of business, he will help you avoid common pitfalls and get your financial essentials in place. Please note, this is an in-person event.

What will this session cover?  

After helping hundreds of entrepreneurs take their first steps in the business world, Peter shares his best tips and guidance. Topics include: 

• Spreadsheets and bookkeeping basics 
• How to make a budget – What to include and how to keep it organised 
• Cashflow – what is it? Why use it? How to create and use one for your business 
• Taxes and HMRC demystified – what do you need to know

Bring questions, a pen and a notepad to finish this productive session with a clear focus on your financials.

Who is the session for? 

• People who feel unsure about how to make and use a budget or cash flow 
• People who are unsure about bookkeeping and what they need to keep their creative business financials in order 
• People who don’t know what taxes they should be paying or if they should be registered with HMRC 
• Students or people early in their career that want to build a tool kit for a sustainable career

Who is delivering? 

Peter Ball has a background of 30 plus years in banking. He proudly states that he was one of the last bank managers that could lend money without the computer saying yes or no. Currently, he’s a Business advisor at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and a director of his business consultancy company ‘Bluebell business’. He is also a chaplain working with ‘ministry at work’ which provides help and support in the business community.

In November 2021 he launched ‘How to Start a Small UK Business’ with Co director Sandra Brookes. The first of three books, each book will take Diane the artist through different parts of her financial journey, from starting her business to growing her business to eventually owning her own gallery. The book is jargon free, with simple, focused and effective bywords. Both Staffs Chambers of Commerce and Staffordshire University use the book for their entrepreneurship start up courses.

Where does it take place? 

Staffordshire University, ST4 2DE. 

Room and building will be confirmed with delegates by email. 

How to book? 

Click the link on this page to book your free ticket for the Factory Seminar – A Guide to Finances for Creatives.  Visit our What’s On page to see what other events are happening.

In-person Access: 

• All venues we will use will have flat access via lift or location on the ground floor.  
• We have a portable Loop for those who need it, please email ahead of the event if you would like to use this system (rhiannon@britishceramicsbiennial.com)  
• In advance of each event, we aim to share an overview of the event. This may include preparation tasks for the participant. 
• We will share a resource pack after the event including summary notes and other relevant links and resources.  

If there is anything we can do to support your participation in the event, please get in touch with rhiannon@britishceramicsbiennial.com to discuss what we can put in place for you. 

What is Factory? 

This workshop is proudly run as part of the creative business support Factory, which is a partnership between Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Staffordshire University, British Ceramics Biennial and ACAVA. The programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Visit our main Factory page for more information about other opportunities and workshops run through Factory.