Episode 37

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Published on:

19th Mar 2025

The CEO’s Guide to Making Strategic Investments That Actually Pay Off

Are Your Business Investments Helping You Grow—or Holding You Back?

Not every investment in your business is a winner, and if you've ever spent money on something that wasn’t worth it, you’re not alone. In this episode of Creative Minds Smart Money, we’re talking about how to reflect on past investments, avoid emotional spending, and make more strategic financial decisions that align with your business goals.

I’ll walk you through:

✔️ How to evaluate past investments and identify what was truly valuable

✔️ The three categories every investment should be placed in: Worth it, Neutral, or Regret

✔️ Why emotional spending is one of the biggest money mistakes entrepreneurs make

✔️ A simple framework for making smarter, more intentional investments moving forward

✔️ How to create an investment wish list and sit with purchases before committing

Whether you're running a small business or scaling to six figures, every dollar you invest should bring peace, not regret. Let’s make sure your financial decisions are setting you up for success!

🎧 Click play now and start making smarter money moves in your business!


Resources & Links

Website: https://www.firestormfinance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestormfinance/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@firestormfinance?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-e-8796b6176/

Newsletter: https://firestormfinance.myflodesk.com/podcastnewsletter


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Transcript
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About the Podcast

Creative Minds, Smart Money: Finance & Business Tips for Creatives
Creative Minds, Smart Money is the go-to podcast for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to stop treating their finances like a side character in their business story. Hosted by Samantha Eck, bookkeeper and fractional CFO, this show breaks down the financial side of running a creative business into actionable steps that actually make sense.

Each week, we tackle everything from pricing strategies and cash flow management to making smart business decisions that keep your creative business thriving (yes, even during those slow months). You'll get real, practical advice on managing your money and growing your business while still having time and funds to enjoy what you love.

Beyond the numbers, we explore the full picture of creative business success - from marketing strategies to efficient systems - because building a sustainable business requires more than just good bookkeeping. And occasionally, I bring in industry experts to share their insights on taking your creative business to the next level.

Ready to turn your creative talents into a thriving business that actually pays you what you're worth? Hit subscribe and let's make it happen.

About your host

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Samantha Eck

Samantha Eck is the powerhouse behind Firestorm Finance, where she transforms messy financials into crystal-clear roadmaps for success. With six years of corporate accounting under her belt, a formal education in numbers, and the street cred of running two creative businesses, she’s uniquely equipped to help fellow creatives decode the story their numbers are trying to tell. When Samantha’s not wrangling QuickBooks, you’ll find her dominating on Xbox or curled up with a page-turner, her husband by her side and her pup Vivi keeping watch. She knows that clarity in the books leads to big, dreamy business moves. Ready to see for yourself? Tune into her podcast, Creative Minds, Smart Money, where she makes money talk feel like catching up with a friend.