When Hannah Cole sat down with her dad’s accountant expecting to learn about quarterly taxes, the first words out of his mouth were: “When are you gonna get a real job?”
Encounters like this are why so many artists develop what Hannah calls a “money allergy.” Financial conversations become the place where your work gets dismissed, where you’re flooded with shame, where you have to defend your right to exist.
But we’re battling more than just the naysayers.
Many of us carry subconscious beliefs that money itself is corrupting. That having more would makes us greedy or compromise our values. When that mindset sets in, you won’t advocate for higher prices. You won’t negotiate fair compensation. You won’t ask for what you deserve.
These realizations and experiences are why Hannah educated herself and, now, as a tax expert, helps other artists navigate their finances. Without the professional jargon. In this conversation, Hannah shares:
- How to reframe money as a neutral tool that amplifies your intentions (rather than corrupts them)
- Her ritual for making bookkeeping pleasant: favorite tea, good music, clean desk, and one tiny goal
- Why opening a separate bank account just for your art is so important, and …
- That you don’t need an LLC or business account—a personal checking account designated for your art practice works perfectly
Listen if you’re ready for a money mindset refresh.
Listen
Hannah’s Suggested Action for You
Set up one pleasant bookkeeping session. Just you, your favorite beverage, and a goal to make one entry. Notice how it feels when you remove the dread and replace it with intention.
Hannah Cole Quotes
“You start to develop an allergy over time. You avoid it and start to think, oh, money is a place where I am made to feel terrible, made to feel shame, made to feel like my contribution to society is not valuable.”
“I’m not asking anybody to go worship money or think that money is the end goal. It’s not, but it is a tool, right?”
“If you have that sort of in your subconscious, are you going to have that difficult conversation with your gallerist about raising your prices? Are you going to push for better pay from an exhibition or more grant money? Probably not.”
“What I want you to do is make yourself a beautiful cup of tea or glass of Chardonnay, whatever the thing is, putting on your favorite music, maybe even lighting a candle. Make it as pleasant as you can and reward yourself with a tiny goal.”
“Once you’ve made the first entry, second one’s easy.”
“ I think artists are the solution. We are the people who move the culture, and culture eats policy for breakfast.”
Hannah’s Money Mindset class
Mentioned
About Hannah Cole
Hannah Cole is a tax expert and long-time working artist who specializes in helping self-employed creatives take control of the financial side of their careers. Through accessible tax and money education, she’s helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up without the jargon or judgment.
Hannah is the founder of Sunlight Tax (and the eponymous podcast) and the author of Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Follow Hannah on Instagram: @sunlighttax
