Money Matters: A Straight-Talk Path for Creatives and Entrepreneurs.
When Nomadica Solutions created Money Matters, the goal was clear. Put real financial guidance in reach for people who build, paint, tattoo, weld, photograph, and hustle for a living. The vibe is simple and human. No suits. No judgment. Just practical knowledge delivered by people who ‘get it’.
Where the idea started
Adam and Alea Manning work shoulder to shoulder with artists, shop owners, and tradespeople every day. They kept hearing the same pain points. Taxes feel confusing. Income comes in waves. Retirement planning feels distant. Bookkeeping steals time from the craft. Money Matters was built to answer those realities with tools people can use the same week they learn them.
The first event brought together tattoo artists, shop managers, small business owners, and independent creators. The conversations hit on real life, not textbook scenarios. How to set aside for quarterly taxes without starving your cash flow. How to price work with a profit floor. How to build a simple money system that survives busy season and slow season. How to start a benefits plan that fits a one-person shop or a studio with multiple artists.
You can see highlights and context from that kickoff on the Nomadica site:
What attendees actually learn
Money Matters is built as a working session. People leave with checklists, templates, and realistic next steps. Topics include:
Income planning for variable earnings
Budgeting that respects creative cycles and shop schedules
How to track expenses without spending every night in spreadsheets
Deductions that matter for artists, studios, and trades
Quarterly tax prep basics and how to stop the last-minute scramble
Building an emergency fund that fits a creative business
Simple retirement options for solo owners and small teams
Pricing frameworks that protect profit and create room to grow
The information is direct and plain-spoken. The examples come from tattoo studios, small fabrication shops, independent photographers, tradespeople, and similar creative businesses. The goal is confidence and control, not perfection.
From pilot to repeatable program
The first event proved the structure works. The flow is dialed in. The materials are ready. Money Matters is now a program Nomadica can bring to new cities and partner studios. The format scales for a classroom, a shop back room, a coworking space, or a small venue. Each stop keeps the same core content and adds local context or industry-specific sections based on who is in the room.
After each event, many attendees continue with one-on-one work. That is where systems get installed and progress compounds. A simple chart of accounts gets built. Bank accounts get organized. A tax set-aside gets automated. A retirement contribution plan starts. Pricing gets a tune-up. Operations get cleaner. Stress drops.
Why this matters for the tattoo and maker communities
Creative work carries uneven weeks and high emotional output. Money pressure makes that load heavier. When the numbers make sense, decision making gets easier. Shop owners can plan hiring with real margins in mind. Artists can say yes or no to projects with confidence. Tradespeople can choose equipment or software upgrades on a timeline that does not wreck cash flow. Families feel the difference too.
Money Matters serves as a bridge between raw talent and long-term stability. It protects the art by protecting the artist.
What comes next
Nomadica is expanding the calendar. The program is ready for repeat stops, guest hosts, and collaborations with studios and small business groups. The future includes:
Regional sessions hosted inside partner tattoo studios and creative hubs
City tours that combine workshop, office hours, and follow-up calls
Industry-specific tracks for tattoo shops, beauty and PMU studios, photographers, and trades
Resource libraries that attendees can access after the event
Quarterly refreshers to keep everyone on track during tax season and year end
If you want to catch the next Money Matters event or bring one to your city, follow along and reach out. Updates and sign-ups will roll through Nomadica’s channels.
How to get involved
Studio owners can host a session for their teams and clients. Event organizers can add Money Matters to their weekend schedule as a value session. Creatives can attend solo or bring a partner who helps run the business. The format is flexible and built to deliver value whether you arrive with a spreadsheet or with a shoebox of receipts.
If you attended the first event, thank you for setting the tone. Your feedback shaped the materials and the flow. If you missed it, keep an eye on the socials for the next date.
Money confidence is a skill you can learn. With the right plan, your work funds your life, your studio, your team, and your future.
Money Matters exists to make that plan real.
