Turn Your Creative Passion Into a Profitable Business

Are you an artist, maker, or creative professional who wants to understand your true project costs and build a more profitable creative business? You’re not alone.

You deserve financial clarity that empowers your creative decisions.

I’m a small business bookkeeper who specializes in helping artists, makers, and creatives optimize their QuickBooks systems. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor with deep expertise in the creative industry, I help artists, crafters, designers, photographers, writers, musicians, and other creative professionals gain financial clarity, maximize profits, and save thousands through effective project tracking and tax optimization.

Two Rivers Bookkeeping serves artists, makers, and creative professionals throughout Wisconsin, including Manitowoc County, Fox Valley, and Northeast Wisconsin, with secure remote services available nationwide.

What Makes Two Rivers Bookkeeping Different for Artists, Makers & Creative Professionals?

Unlike general bookkeepers who treat every business the same, I understand the unique challenges of creative work because I’ve lived them. As a former glass artist who made my living selling at shows, fairs, consignment, and wholesale, I have firsthand experience with the financial complexities of creative businesses.

QuickBooks Specialization

I focus on QuickBooks systems for artists, makers, and creative professionals, ensuring your setup works the way creative businesses operate, not like a traditional retail business. I offer customized processes and systems to better manage your business.

Personal Creative Business Experience

Deep knowledge of project tracking, commission work, and inventory management for makers. I’m not just a bookkeeper who works with creatives; I’m a former artist who built and ran a successful glass art business. I understand the reality of loading up for shows, managing consignment relationships, handling wholesale orders, and the feast-or-famine cash flow that comes with creative work.

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certified

Advanced expertise in setting up and optimizing QuickBooks for creative workflows, ensuring you get maximum value from your accounting system while tracking both time-based services and product sales.

No-Judgment Approach

Whether your QuickBooks setup is a complete mess or you’re starting from scratch, I’ve seen it all because I’ve been there. As a former glass artist, I know how easy it is to let the books slide when you’re focused on creating and selling. You’re not failing. You’re doing what creatives do best: prioritizing your art and your customers. It’s completely okay to feel overwhelmed by the financial side of your business, and it’s more than okay to ask for help. My cleanup and catch-up services are designed to help you get organized without feeling embarrassed about creative chaos.

Remote Accessibility

Access your financial data 24/7 from any studio, gallery, or craft fair through secure cloud-based systems and apps. Check cash flow on your phone before making supply purchases or accepting new commissions. QuickBooks Online integrations with standard payment processors make taking payments at shows and fairs a breeze.

Profit-Focused Results

My goal isn’t just to balance your books – it’s to help you identify which projects, products, or services make money and which ones don’t, so you can build a more sustainable creative business. When you have clear financial data, you become empowered to make confident business decisions based on real numbers instead of guesswork.

A Typical Client Transformation

How Professional Bookkeeping Can Transform a Growing Creative Business

The Scenario

Consider a mixed-media artist and maker in Wisconsin who has grown from selling at local craft fairs to running an online shop, taking custom commissions, and teaching workshops. Despite staying busy and appearing successful, the owner is constantly stressed about cash flow, especially during slow winter months when art fair season ends. They can’t understand why some months are profitable while others leave them questioning whether their creative business is sustainable.

The QuickBooks Online file shows classic signs of rapid growth without proper financial systems. Transactions aren’t categorized properly, material costs are mixed with personal purchases, and there’s no clear picture of which products or services generate profit. The artist spends 3-4 hours every weekend trying to catch up on paperwork, and tax season is always chaotic. This is particularly challenging for creatives who need to plan carefully for seasonal fluctuations and art fair expenses.

Common Discovery Findings

In situations like this, I typically find that artists and makers price their work based on what they think the market will bear, rather than actual cost data – a mistake I made myself when selling my glass art. An analysis of their books usually reveals several critical issues:

  • Project tracking systems that don’t provide meaningful profitability data for commissions vs. product sales
  • Custom work and retail inventory mixed together without proper cost tracking
  • Personal and business expenses that aren’t properly separated (especially common with home studios)
  • Significant creative business tax deductions being missed due to poor categorization
  • Unpredictable cash flow caused by a lack of systems for tracking seasonal sales patterns

The Transformation Process

A comprehensive cleanup and reorganization plan would typically include:

  • Restructuring the chart of accounts for creative business workflows
  • Implementing proper project tracking for commissions vs. product sales vs. services
  • Creating systems to track materials, time, and overhead by project type
  • Setting up inventory management for makers and product-based creatives
  • Organizing months of backlogged transactions and receipts
  • Training on new processes for ongoing maintenance that fit creative schedules

Expected Results

Based on similar situations with Wisconsin artists, makers, and creative professionals, this type of business could expect to see significant improvements within 6 months:

  • Recovered deductible expenses can total $3,000-$8,000, significantly reducing tax burden through proper home studio, supply, and travel deductions
  • Profit margin analysis frequently reveals that specific product lines or services are 15-25% more profitable than others
  • Seasonal cash flow planning eliminates the stress of slow periods and expensive art fair preparation costs
  • Reduced administrative time from hours per week to minutes
  • Overall profit increases of 5-15% are common when pricing decisions are based on actual cost data, including proper time valuation

The biggest surprise for many artists and makers? They often discover that the creative work they thought was least profitable is actually their highest-margin offering. This leads to strategic shifts that dramatically improve their bottom line – insights I wish I’d had when I was running my own glass art business.

For Wisconsin creatives, proper financial planning also means better preparation for art fair seasons, equipment purchases, and studio expansion opportunities. Having personally navigated the challenges of show schedules, consignment relationships, and wholesale accounts, I understand the unique cash flow planning needs of creative businesses.

Many artists, makers, and creative professionals find that their investment in professional bookkeeping pays for itself through improved project profitability tracking, better cash flow management, and maximized creative business tax deductions. Not to mention the value in reducing your overall stress. I provide excellent bookkeeping services to help you maximize deductions. Although I don’t offer tax planning, I ensure your books are organized to capture every legitimate business expense and ready for your tax preparer.

What to Expect

We’ll discuss your specific challenges, creative business goals, and current bookkeeping setup.
If you’re using QuickBooks, I’ll perform a complimentary Diagnostic Review, which you’ll receive via email after our call, to identify opportunities for improved project tracking and cost savings.


This isn’t a sales pitch – it’s a genuine consultation where you’ll gain valuable insights about your financial systems regardless of whether we work together.

Based on our discovery call and QuickBooks analysis (if applicable), I’ll create a custom proposal that addresses your specific needs, timeline, and budget.


Every solution is tailored to your creative business type, complexity, and goals. For Wisconsin artists, makers, and creatives, I also consider seasonal factors and local art market challenges.

I’ll configure your QuickBooks system specifically for your type of creative work, including accurate project tracking, effective inventory management, and seamless integration with your existing creative workflows.

Whether you need months or years of transactions organized, I’ll handle the cleanup professionally and efficiently.


Most artists, makers, and creatives are surprised to discover that better cost tracking reveals they’re more profitable than they thought.

Regular bookkeeping services, financial reporting, and proactive insights to help you make better creative business decisions.


You’ll receive monthly reports that actually make sense for your creative business, including seasonal planning recommendations for Wisconsin artists, makers, and creatives.

As your creative business grows, I’ll refine your systems and offer strategic guidance on cash flow management and profit optimization.

Investment & Next Steps

Personalized Solutions, Not Cookie-Cutter Packages

Every artist’s, maker’s, and creative’s business is unique, which is why I don’t offer generic packages. Instead, I create customized solutions tailored to your specific needs, unique business type, and current bookkeeping situation.

Here’s How My Pricing Works:

Step 1: Free Discovery Call

We’ll spend up to 30 minutes discussing your business, current challenges, and bookkeeping goals. You’ll receive a Diagnostic Review of your books. No sales pressure, just genuine insights about your situation.

Step 2: Current State Analysis

If you’re already using QuickBooks Online, I’ll analyze your existing setup to understand exactly what needs attention. If you’re starting from scratch, I’ll assess your transaction volume and the complexity of your business.

Step 3: Personalized Proposal

Based on our conversation and analysis, I’ll create a custom proposal that addresses your specific needs and fits your budget.

Investment Range:

Depending on the size, complexity, and needs of your business, monthly bookkeeping services typically range from $250 to $2,000 per month. Most artists, makers, and creative professionals find that their investment pays for itself through improved profitability tracking and tax savings.

What Influences Your Investment:

  • Monthly transaction volume
  • Mix of products vs. services vs. commissions requiring tracking
  • Inventory complexity for makers and product-based creatives
  • Complexity of your current QuickBooks setup
  • Amount of catch-up or cleanup work needed

Most artists, makers, and creative professionals save more in their first year than my services cost through improved project profitability tracking, better cash flow management, and maximized creative business tax deductions. While I don’t provide tax planning services, I provide excellent bookkeeping that ensures your records are organized to capture every legitimate business expense.

Picture of Kate Gadd, professional bookkeeper who specializes in nonprofits

Schedule your free consulation today

Ready to stop guessing about your profitability and start making data-driven creative business decisions? Let’s discuss how professional bookkeeping can transform your artistic or creative enterprise.

Get Your Free Discovery Call u0026amp; Custom Proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, I specialize exclusively in QuickBooks Online. This specialization enables me to offer more in-depth expertise and expedite setup compared to general bookkeepers.

Absolutely! As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, I’ll set up proper project tracking from scratch and can often help reconstruct historical project profitability during catch-up work. This works for commissions, product lines, workshops, and ongoing creative services.

QuickBooks has excellent inventory management features that I’ll customize for your specific creative business. Whether you’re tracking raw materials for handmade products or finished pieces for galleries, I’ll set up systems that make sense for your workflow.

QuickBooks uses bank-level encryption and security protocols. Your data is more secure in the cloud than on local computers, with automatic backups and protection against hardware failures. You can learn more about how remote bookkeeping actually works and why it’s often more secure than traditional methods.

During our free discovery call, I’ll assess your business complexity, transaction volume, and specific needs. If you’re already using QuickBooks, I’ll analyze your current setup to provide an accurate proposal. Pricing typically ranges from $200-$2,000 monthly, depending on your requirements, and most artists, makers, and creatives find the investment pays for itself through improved profitability and tax savings. Monthly bookkeeping pricing is re-evaluated quarterly for each client to ensure the price remains in line with the project.

No, I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all packages. Every creative business is unique, so I create personalized solutions based on your specific needs, current situation, and budget. This ensures you only pay for services that truly benefit your creative business.

While I’m based in Wisconsin and understand the local challenges of creatives, I provide remote services nationwide. My expertise with seasonal art markets and creative business cash flow planning benefits artists, makers, and creatives anywhere.

I work with a diverse range of artists, makers, and creative professionals, including visual artists, crafters, jewelry makers, photographers, graphic designers, interior designers, writers, musicians, woodworkers, textile artists, potters, sculptors, and other creative entrepreneurs. Having personally run a glass art business with experience in shows, fairs, consignment, and wholesale, I have particular insight into the challenges faced by visual artists and makers who sell through multiple channels.

Related Services & Resources

Related Services & Resources:

Helpful Resources:

Supporting Content & Industry Insights

Recent Blog Posts:

“5 QuickBooks Features Every Contractor & Trade Professional Should Use” – Discover the QuickBooks tools that can streamline your job costing and improve project profitability tracking for both construction projects and service calls.

“How Much Should Contractors & Trade Professionals Keep in Reserve for Cash Flow?” – Learn the industry benchmarks for maintaining healthy cash reserves during seasonal fluctuations, with QuickBooks reporting tips for construction and trades businesses.

“The Real Cost of DIY QuickBooks Setup for Contractors & Trade Professionals” – Case study showing how professional bookkeeping services typically pay for themselves within the first year through proper QuickBooks configuration for construction and trades workflows.

A cheerful artisan showcasing a handmade wooden piece at an indoor craft market.
u003cemu003eThe best time to get your books organized was three years ago. The second-best time is right now.u003c/emu003e

Ready to Build a More Profitable Creative Business?

You didn’t become an artist, maker, or creative professional to spend your evenings doing paperwork or wondering if your projects are actually profitable. You started your creative business to express your artistic vision and build a sustainable living from your talents.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the financial side of your creative business, please know that you’re not alone and you’re certainly not failing. Managing the books while running a creative business is genuinely challenging – I know because I’ve been exactly where you are. The creative mind that makes you brilliant at your craft often works differently than traditional business systems, and that’s perfectly okay.

Professional bookkeeping gives you the financial clarity to focus on what you do best – creating excellent work for your clients and customers – while ensuring every project contributes to your long-term success. You deserve to have both a thriving creative practice and peace of mind about your finances.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been creating for decades, it’s never too late to gain control of your finances and optimize your profitability. Learn more about making the switch to professional bookkeeping support and why it’s one of the best investments you can make in your creative business.

When you understand your true costs and profit margins, you become empowered to make strategic decisions about pricing, which products to focus on, and how to grow your business sustainably. Good financial data gives you the confidence to pursue opportunities and the clarity to avoid decisions that don’t serve your goals.

Book a call

Service Areas

Two Rivers Bookkeeping proudly serves artists, makers, and creative professionals throughout:

Wisconsin Locations

  • Manitowoc County (Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Kiel, Valders, Mishicot)
  • Fox Valley (Appleton, Green Bay, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac)
  • Sheboygan County (Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Plymouth, Kohler)
  • Northeast Wisconsin (Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau)
  • Greater Milwaukee area and Greater Madison area
  • Statewide Wisconsin artist, maker, and creative professional support

Remote Services Available

Professional QuickBooks and creative business bookkeeping services are available nationwide through secure cloud-based systems. As a virtual bookkeeping specialist, I provide expert remote support that gives you the same level of service and expertise as an in-house bookkeeper, with the added benefits of accessibility and lower costs.

Two Rivers Bookkeeping – Professional QuickBooks Online services and creative business bookkeeping support for artists, makers, and creative professionals in Wisconsin and nationwide. Secure cloud-based solutions with 24/7 access and project tracking expertise from a certified ProAdvisor who specializes in the unique financial challenges of creative businesses and artistic enterprises.

Ready to Transform Your Business Finances?

Stop wondering if your creative business is profitable. Start knowing your numbers with confidence.

Every day you wait is another day of potential lost profits, missed deductions, and financial stress. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor specializing in artists, makers, and creative professionals, I can help you gain the financial clarity you need to thrive.

Whether your books are perfectly organized or a complete disaster, there’s no judgment here – just professional expertise designed to help you get where you need to be. What are you waiting for? Your Diagnostic Review is right around the corner.

Your free 30-minute discovery call is just one click away.

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Two Rivers Bookkeeping – Your Trusted Creative Business Bookkeeper and QuickBooks Specialist for Artists, Makers & Creative Professionals

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