Art Fair Season Finances: Budgeting and Tracking Your Exhibition Investments
Art fair season is like the creative world's version of the retail holiday rush – exciting, exhausting, and potentially very profitable if you do it right. But here's what most artists and galleries don't talk about: art fairs can also be massive money drains if you don't approach them strategically.
Beat the Summer Slump: Cash Flow Strategies for Creative Businesses
Summer is here, and if you're in the creative business world, you know what that means: the dreaded summer slump. People are on vacation, art galleries see fewer visitors, online sales might dip, and suddenly your cash flow feels as sluggish as a hot Texas afternoon.
Tax Planning for Artists: Why August is the Perfect Time to Prep for Year-End
Most artists think about taxes in March when their CPA calls, or worse, in April when they're scrambling to file. But here's what successful creative entrepreneurs know: August is actually the perfect time for tax planning.
Featured on Behind The Hustle: Building Dots and Digits Accounting
I recently had the opportunity to sit down for the second interview in the "Behind The Hustle" series, where I shared the real story of how I began and built Dots and Digits Accounting from the ground up. The "Behind The Hustle" series was designed for bookkeepers to share their authentic startup journeys. What challenges did we face in the beginning? How did we land our first clients? What strategies actually worked? This series provides unfiltered insights from bookkeepers who have walked the path and built successful practices.
5 Things sabotaging your mindfulness practice
In the vibrant yet demanding world of creative professions, mindfulness offers a powerful antidote to the chaos of deadlines, client expectations, and the pressure to consistently produce innovative work. Yet, despite our best intentions, establishing a consistent mindfulness practice can prove challenging. At Dots and Digits Accounting, we've observed how mindfulness principles benefit both financial clarity and creative thinking.
6 Artists That Help Me Feel Mindful
In our fast-paced digital world, finding moments of true presence can feel increasingly rare. At Dots and Digits Accounting, we believe that mindfulness extends beyond meditation cushions into how we engage with creativity and art. The right artistic expressions can serve as powerful gateways to mindfulness, helping us slow down, reconnect with our senses, and appreciate the beauty of careful craftsmanship.
How Art Galleries Can Assess Investment Value
As an accountant specializing in the art market, I've observed that successful investment assessment in art combines objective financial metrics with understanding market dynamics unique to the art world. Let me share insights I've gained from working with numerous galleries and dealers.
Long-term Art Investment: Strategies from Gallery Professionals
The art market isn't just about aesthetic value – your art is a complex investment where strategic financial planning can make the difference between a thriving gallery and a struggling one. As accountants specializing in the art world, we've gathered key insights from successful gallery professionals about managing long-term art investments.
How E-commerce businesses can test ideas without risking money
In today's digital marketplace, testing new ideas doesn't have to mean risking your capital. As accountants working with successful e-commerce businesses, we've seen firsthand how smart testing strategies can validate concepts before significant investment. Here's how you can minimize financial risk while exploring new opportunities.
7 Tips for Overcoming Creative Drain
When your creativity runs dry, it can feel impossible to produce meaningful work. As a financial professional who works closely with creatives, I understand that creative blocks not only affect your artistic output but can also impact your business success.
12 Budgeting Strategies Art Galleries Should Consider
As an accountant for art galleries, I've seen firsthand how proper budgeting can make the difference between a thriving gallery and one that struggles to keep its doors open. Let's explore twelve proven budgeting strategies that can help your gallery succeed in today's dynamic art market.
Sales Tax 101
Running an E-commerce business comes with plenty of challenges, and sales tax compliance might be one of the trickiest to navigate. As an accountant for E-commerce businesses, I've seen firsthand how complex these obligations can become, especially when selling across multiple states.
Art Galleries: Your Guide to 1099s
As an accountant for art galleries, I often hear the same question every January: "Do I really need to send 1099s to all my artists?" The short answer is most likely, but with recent changes to third-party payment reporting, it's more complex than ever. Let's break down everything art dealers need to know about handling 1099s correctly.
Digital vs Physical Receipts - Creating a System That Works
As an accountant for creatives, I've seen every receipt storage system imaginable – from the infamous shoebox method to meticulously organized spreadsheets. Whether you're a photographer with equipment purchases or a graphic designer buying software subscriptions, having a reliable system for storing receipts is crucial. Let's explore how to manage both digital and physical receipts effectively.
Guide: EOY Inventory Counts for E-commerce Businesses
As an accountant for Ecommerce businesses, I've seen firsthand how end of year inventory counts can strike fear into the hearts of even the most organized business owners. But don't worry – with the right approach and proper QuickBooks bookkeeping, this annual task doesn't have to be overwhelming. Let's break down how to make your inventory count smooth and accurate.
How to Find the 1099 Forms You Need for 2024
As an accountant for art galleries, I've seen firsthand how challenging it can be to manage artist relationships while keeping your books in order. Whether you're a seasoned gallery owner or new to the art world, proper onboarding procedures can save you countless headaches down the road. Let's dive into the essential steps for setting up your DIY bookkeeping system to handle new artists effectively.
Onboarding Artists? Don't Forget This.
As an accountant for art galleries, I've seen firsthand how challenging it can be to manage artist relationships while keeping your books in order. Whether you're a seasoned gallery owner or new to the art world, proper onboarding procedures can save you countless headaches down the road. Let's dive into the essential steps for setting up your DIY bookkeeping system to handle new artists effectively.
QuickBooks Automation Tips for 2025
As an accountant for creatives, I've seen firsthand how many brilliant artists, designers, and entrepreneurs struggle with DIY bookkeeping. While QuickBooks is an incredible tool, many creative business owners aren't taking full advantage of its automation features. Let's change that! Here are the game-changing QuickBooks automation techniques that will save you time and headaches in 2025.
Download: Tax Planning Strategies for Creatives
Taxes alone are confusing. So when you bring in tax planning and the different strategies your creative business can employ it can make you just want to check out. Accountants have a tendency to make things complicated so in this guide I broke down the basics and made sure you were provided with the need to know details in plain English.
Download: Reading Your Balance Sheet and Income Statement
In this download I provide you with a map on decoding the most useful reports in your business. From profit to equity, understanding these two statements can make all the difference in making your next big business decision.