Liberatory Finance: Building a Money System That Works for You

Money is often a loaded topic.

Many of us grew up with money stories rooted in scarcity, guilt, or fear—narratives that continue to shape how we engage with finances in our businesses today. Maybe you feel overwhelmed when looking at financial reports. Maybe you’re making sales but unsure how to pay yourself. Maybe you wonder if the cost of marketing on social media is worth it or if there are better ways to sustain your business outside of traditional capitalist models.

Wherever you are in your journey, this workshop series is here to help you take control of your finances in a way that feels clear, empowering, and aligned with your values—on your own schedule.

What You’ll Learn in This 4-Part Series

Each session builds on the last, helping you create a financial system that works for you. But if you prefer, you can also take these workshops as standalone sessions.

WORKSHOP 1: My Money Stories

Your relationship with money didn’t start when you opened your business. It’s been shaped by your upbringing, experiences, and culture. In this workshop, we’ll:
✅ Unpack the money narratives that shape how you engage with finances today
✅ Identify the emotional and practical barriers that keep you from feeling financially confident
✅ Explore alternatives to capitalism in financial decision-making
✅ Create a personal budget that will inform your business budget in Week 2

This session will lay the foundation for building a financial system that reflects your values, rather than a system that makes you feel trapped or powerless.

WORKSHOP 2: Understanding My Finances

Numbers don’t have to be scary. We’ll break down the four most essential financial reports in a way that actually makes sense:
✔ Profit & Loss Statement – What’s really coming in and going out?
✔ Budget – How can you plan for sustainable growth?
✔ Cash Flow Projection – What’s coming up that you need to prepare for?
✔ Balance Sheet – How do you track assets and liabilities?

These tools are essential whether you’re running a solo business or considering outside funding like a community business loan or cooperative investment. By the end of this session, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how these financial statements can help you make strategic, values-based decisions.

WORKSHOP 3: Designing Cash Flow Projections

Knowing your numbers = knowing your power. This workshop will help you:
➡ Learn how to map out when money is coming in and going out
➡ Identify potential shortages or surpluses so you can plan ahead
➡ Discover free or low-cost tools to make projections easy
➡ Feel more confident about your business’s financial future

We’ll even touch on the elements of marketing that impact cash flow, like how changes in pricing, product launches, or slow seasons affect your numbers.

WORKSHOP 4: Paying Myself

How much should you pay yourself? There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but we’ll walk you through a 6-step method to help you make this decision based on:
✔ Operating expenses
✔ Taxes
✔ Debt repayment
✔ Savings for business growth

We’ll also discuss ethical sales strategies and cooperative consulting models that help ensure you’re not just surviving but thriving.

Why This Series Is Different

🔹 No Shame, No Judgment – We approach financial literacy with compassion, not condescension. You’re not “bad” with money—you just haven’t been given the right tools yet.

🔹 Rooted in Solidarity – We believe in mutual aid near me and far beyond. This isn’t about making the rich richer. It’s about redistributing knowledge and power so small business owners can thrive.

🔹 Values-Aligned Finance – We challenge mainstream narratives about wealth and business. Instead of pushing “growth at all costs”, we help you design financial systems that support ethical entrepreneurship and long-term sustainability.

🔹 Tangible Tools & Action Steps – No fluff, no vague advice. You’ll leave each session with practical tools you can implement immediately—whether it’s a clearer savings strategy or a sustainable plan for paying yourself.