Why Creatives Are Conditioned to Avoid Their Finances (And How to Fix It) with Catherine Licari
The Fashion Industry Awakening That Changed Everything
What happens when a fashion magazine assistant realizes that the most talented designers are going out of business, not because they lack creativity, but because no one taught them how to manage money?
You get Catherine Licari, and honestly, the creative business world is better for it.
Catherine's journey from working as Stefano Tonchi's assistant at W Magazine to founding Cash Flow for Creatives is fascinating enough. But what makes this conversation truly powerful is how she's systematically dismantling the myth that creative people “just aren't good with numbers.”
Why We Were Set Up to Fail
In this episode, Catherine breaks down exactly how creative kids get pigeonholed early. They're told to focus on art class because “you'll never be good at math anyway.” Sound familiar? It did to me, and probably to you too.
But here's what Catherine discovered after getting her MBA at Columbia: financial literacy isn't about being naturally gifted with numbers. It's about having the right tools, systems, and yes—beautiful design—to make money management actually enjoyable.
The Real Truth About Business Funding
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when Catherine breaks down the three types of business funding: capital contribution (your own money), debt (borrowing with a payback plan), and equity (selling pieces of your business).
Her take? Most creative entrepreneurs think they need investors when what they really need is to get better at selling what they already have. Ouch. Truth bomb.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- [03:45] How Catherine went from fashion magazines to finance mastery
- [12:30] Why retail businesses are tougher than most people realize
- [18:20] The inventory mistake that can kill your business overnight
- [25:15] Why creative people were conditioned to fear money
- [31:40] The three types of business funding (and which one you actually need)
- [39:25] How to build relationships with small business bankers
- [45:50] The psychology behind pricing your products right
- [52:20] Why beautiful financial tools actually work better
This isn't just another business podcast episode; it's a complete mindset shift about what's possible when creatives embrace the financial side of their businesses.
Listen now and prepare to see money management in a completely new light.
xo, Tracy
Links in this episode:
Follow @catherinepdv on Instagram
Follow @small.business.planner on Instagram
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