It’s that season again when our country comes alive culturally, as we await the return of the Merry Monarch. Carnival, as magnificent as it is, is just one component of our creative industry and a major contributor to the Orange Economy.
In 2025, Moore TT would have led on discussions about the Orange Economy in the media and at ICATT’s conference in November. We provided valuable insight on the role of the creative industry as one of the Caribbean’s most powerful growth lanes. But talent alone doesn’t build a sustainable creative business. Profit comes when creatives treat their craft like an enterprise. The industry provides year-round business, and creatives must leverage their appeal.
Here’s a snapshot of a practical Moore TT How-To Financial Guide for Creatives to become investor-ready and bankable:
1) Price for profit (not popularity)
Know your “true cost”: time, talent, equipment, travel, edits, admin, and platform fees. Build packages (basic/standard/premium) and always include a margin. For events and gigs, add a contingency line, Caribbean logistics shift fast.
2) Separate money and track it weekly
Open a business account. Use simple bookkeeping (even a starter app) to track income by stream: performances, brand partnerships, licensing, royalties, merch, streaming, classes, commissions. Review weekly: money in, money out, what’s due next.
3) Make contracts your standard
Put terms in writing: deliverables, usage rights, payment schedule, kill fees, and crediting. Clear contracts reduce disputes and protect revenue, especially for content creators and agencies.
4) Protect and monetise your IP
Register your works where applicable, keep split sheets, and organise your rights. Licensing (regional ads, tourism campaigns, streaming placements) can outperform one-off gigs over time.
5) Plan for tax and compliance
Set aside a fixed percentage monthly for taxes. Keep invoices and receipts tidy, understand your obligations (VAT/withholding where applicable), and avoid year-end panic.
6) Use simple statements to steer decisions
A monthly Profit & Loss and cashflow snapshot tells you what’s working, what’s leaking, and what to scale.
Ready to turn creativity into consistent income? Join Moore TT, the leading financial advisor of creatives. We can help you set up bookkeeping, pricing models, tax planning, IP-friendly contracts, and lender-ready financials, so your creative brand grows profitably in 2026. Email: [email protected] or Call: 226-1215.
