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COWRA: How to Start a Creative Business

August 19 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

In a well-lit and creative studio space, a woman is focused on cutting fabric laid out on a large work table. The table is scattered with various sewing tools and materials. In the background, another woman is working on a design board, pinning up sketches and fabric swatches. The space is decorated with plants and a rack of clothing, suggesting an environment dedicated to fashion design or crafting. In the bottom right corner, there is a logo for Service NSW Business Connect, indicating an approved provider.

This is a CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS event in partnership with Arts Out West and Cowra Regional Art Gallery.

Curious about turning your creative practice into a fully-fledged small business? Loving your artistic hobby, and wondering if you have the chops for freelancing?

This fun and friendly FREE workshop will cover all the essentials you need to get the basics of creative business right, and avoid some of the most common pitfalls that artists can experience when entering the world of self-employment and freelancing. ‘How to Start a Creative Business’ was designed by creative practitioners for absolute beginners, and it’s a friendly safe space where every question is a good question, and the mysteries of business will become a little clearer.

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You will learn about the following, with a special focus on arts practice and creative industries:
+ Setting goals and making a plan for your start-up journey,
+ The basics of business including ABNs, structures, business names and licences,
+ The legal steps to registering your business,
+ Getting ready for managing the money,
+ Preparing for marketing and promotion,
+ Where to go for more help.

‘How to Start a Creative Business’ is your passport to a world where you can be creative, make money from your craft, and love your work.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:
+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with additional resources and helpful links.
+ A practical workbook to assist with the interactive elements of the workshops.
+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop.
+ The possibility of further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors. We have a whole team ready to help!

Join us for a creative business day!
We encourage you to book for both workshops and meet fellow creatives.
Please book for the workshops separately through Business Connect.

+ 10:30am ‘How to Start a Creative Business’ workshop
+ 12:30pm Break time and network with fellow creatives
+ 1:30pm ‘Tax Time for Creatives’ workshop (book here)

Who is presenting?
Monica Davidson – Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist, performer, and filmmaker. Monica has a Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business from AFTRS, and was appointed as Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor in 2013. In 2016 Monica founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, an organisation dedicated to educating creatives about small business skills, financial literacy and marketing.

What is CREATIVE PLUS BUSINESS?
We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice.

Accessibility: if you have any queries or access requirements, please email education@creativeplusbusiness.com

VENUE: Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling Street, Cowra

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What is Service NSW Business Connect? 
Service NSW Business Connect provides free, independent, tailored business advice from experienced advisors in one‑on‑one sessions. We offer practical insights and business skills development. Services also include events and resources on a range of topics for small business.

Creative Plus Business is an approved independent provider for Service NSW Business Connect until 30 September 2025.