by Robbi James

Creative Plus Business advisors are more than experts—they are creative business specialists who understand first hand the joys and challenges of working in a field they’re passionate about. Every advisor is committed to helping creatives turn their talents into sustainable and fulfilling careers with guidance that balances strategy and purpose, with goals and wellbeing. This month, we’re interviewing the amazing Sats Kramer, whose rich, multidisciplinary background and experience have made him a powerful advocate for creative professionals.

Q: Tell us about your journey into the creative industries.

I’ve always lived and worked across multiple disciplines. I’m based on the Far South Coast of NSW and have worked as a professional musician, photographer, and videographer. Running my own business, as both a session musician and owner of Propelled Pictures, has given me a strong understanding of what it takes to build something sustainable in this industry. My creative practice and business experience naturally evolved into advising others across the music, film, and visual media sectors. Before this role, I was the South East Regional Music Officer for Music NSW, which allowed me to support local musicians, build networks, and strengthen the professional development landscape in regional communities. Alongside my work at C+B and within the music industry, I also contribute to the artistic selection process for the Cobargo Folk Festival and provide local talent curation for the Wanderer Festival, which is coming to the Sapphire Coast this year.

Q: What industries do you specialise in supporting?

My expertise spans music, film, photography, design and illustration, event management, logistics and distribution, and regional arts development. I’ve worked across creative, corporate, and community sectors in both metro and regional settings, which means I can offer insights from multiple perspectives – whether you’re a musician launching a debut EP, a filmmaker navigating grant applications, or an illustrator setting up an e-commerce store.

Q: What unique skills or perspectives do you bring to your advisory role?

My career spans everything from managing operations and leading diverse teams in international business, driving regional arts development and mentoring creatives, to working as a professional musician in both city and regional communities. I’ve worked across government and not-for-profit organisations, and bring deep expertise in festival curation, stakeholder engagement, and regional arts development. 

“I’m able to offer hands-on understanding of how creativity, community and business/systems-thinking intersect, with a practical understanding of life as a working artist.” 

Whether I’m supporting artists or designing community-driven programming, I focus on bridging artistic expression with community wellbeing. I’ve seen how creative programming can build resilience, inclusion, and connection. Because I’ve worked as a gigging musician, a business owner, and an arts worker, I understand both the day-to-day realities and the strategic vision required to succeed.

Q: What drives Sats Kramer’s passion for the work he does?

Aside from the endless joy of the process of just making art, I want to leave the arts community and my broader local community in a better place than when I got here.

The challenges of life over the past 5 or 6 years (bushfires, Covid, floods, more bushfires and a cost of living crisis) have left so many in a constant state of heightened stress. Watching thousands of people come together to shake it off at a music festival, or providing an opportunity to a young performer to play their first gig outside of a school setting in a safe environment is what keeps me going. These moments of shared joy and expression are vital.

“I’m proud to be someone people can turn to. Even when I don’t have all the answers, I can offer support, understanding, and direction.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about being a business advisor?

Having the chance to pass on knowledge to the younger generation, who are just starting out. Knowledge that I wish I had when I was younger. It’s a massive thrill to see a young artist who knows they want to be an artist, but has no idea how turn it into a reality. Watching them grow and move towards their first album release or exhibition or the excitement they have after playing their first gig with their new band. 

“As artists we are told that we can’t make a living from art, I say fuck that – pick what you want to be in life and become the person who does it.”

Q: Can you share a favourite mentoring story?

One of my favourite stories is working with Simon from Noisy Creations. He immigrated to Australia recently and brought significant creative skills with him, but faced the challenge of starting fresh in a new cultural and regulatory system. I know this having started a greenfield business in a new country myself, it can be demoralising to feel like you have to start again.

Watching Simon’s perseverance and dedication to his film practice and how he has built a sustainable film production business, despite the challenges, is why I do this job. Simon has now also launch his music career in Australia setting himself ambitions release targets and pushing forward with all aspects of his creative life.

Q: How do you approach your relationships with clients?

Everyone is on their own path in life and a one size fits all solution isn’t going to work. I have clients who are just starting out and others who I think of as bonafide rock stars (I was in their moshpit as a 16 year old). Everyone’s capacity is different too, family, health issues, day jobs, financial starting points all play a role and being able to create structure around all of these factors is critical. 

Everyone has different goals too, many of my clients would like to be rockstars (and why not), others are happy just to play on their local pub circuit. My starting point is creating personalised plans to match each client’s goals and dreams and then being flexible enough to adjust those plans, as life will inevitably throw some curve balls at some point.

___

Sats Kramer brings an extraordinary blend of creativity, experience, and empathy to his work as a mentor with Creative Plus Business. His commitment to sustainability and community, as well as his sense of humour, curiosity, and care, makes him a very special part of our team. Sats continues to empower artists to thrive—not just creatively, but personally and professionally.

Keen to know more about how you could book up to 8 hours of free advice, guidance, and mentoring with Sats? If you’re based in NSW you can do this now through Service NSW Business Connect. If you’re elsewhere get in touch with our team at hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

Visit our Business Connect page to learn more about the program or get in touch with Creative Plus Business team for tailored help.