Episode Details

Most creatives set their contract terms once and never revisit them. Which means the deposit structure you set at $50K a year is quietly governing how much cash you have at $500K a year. Every clause in your contract, deposit percentage, payment terms, late fees, kill fees, retainer structure, is deciding whether your business runs cash tight or cash comfortable. Contract terms aren't just a legal detail. They're a CFO decision, and most creatives are running the ones they set years ago without ever really making the decision.

Today we're talking about what your current terms are actually saying about your business, the 3 patterns that quietly drain cash flow, and what to change first if you want the next quarter to feel less tight.

Highlights

• Why your contract is a CFO document, not just a legal one (and the reframe that changes everything downstream).
• What a 25% deposit vs a 50% deposit is actually saying about your business.
• The 3 quiet patterns that drain cash flow every month if you don't have the right clauses.
• Why "net 60" means you're giving your clients 2 months of free financing.
• How to update your terms with existing clients without it feeling like a personal negotiation.

Links & Resources:

Website: Firestorm Finance | Bookkeeping for Creative Entrepreneurs

Podcast Home: Podcast | firestormfinance.com

Book a Discovery Call: Contact Firestorm Finance | Bookkeeping Support for Creatives

Listen & Subscribe:

1. Apple Podcasts: Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips for Creatives

2. Spotify: Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips for Creatives

Social:

1. Instagram: @firestormfinance

2. Threads: @firestormfinance

3. LinkedIn: Samantha Eck

4. Facebook: Firestorm Finance

5. YouTube: @FirestormFinance

6. Pinterest: Firestorm Finance