Running a creative practice isn’t just about doing great work—it’s about making that work profitable. In this session, we’ll remove the noise and get back to financial basics: how to price and sell your services, set bill rates, and track project profitability. You'll learn practical strategies to ensure every project contributes to your bottom line, not just your portfolio. We’ll also discuss common financial pitfalls agencies face and how to avoid them. Whether you're a founder, manager, or creative lead, this talk will give you the tools to build a more financially stable and successful agency. Colin Barnhart began his career on Wall Street, gaining expertise in finance and operations before shifting to the hospitality and music industries. As COO of a growing nightclub group, he played a key role in expanding the business, overseeing finances, building operational systems, and managing multiple locations, including seasonal ventures in the Hamptons. By 2006, he was managing financial and legal operations for several hospitality and music partnerships. ​Recognizing a gap in financial services for creative founders, Colin launched Black Ink Business Services in 2007. Since then, he has helped agencies and entrepreneurs build more profitable and financially stable businesses. With a focus on pricing strategies, operational efficiency, and financial controls, Colin specializes in guiding creative companies to improve project profitability and avoid common financial pitfalls.