Grow your creative business

Want more clients, more money, more time, more inspiration? Or just don’t want it all to feel so damn hard?

This group course was made for artists, designers, makers, musicians, performers and writers just like you.

"This whole course was like giving my creative life an MOT. I just kept thinking, “Why haven’t I done this before?” – Louize Harries, designer and materials researcher

Over ten weeks, we'll discuss how to:

Define success for yourself. Create a life you love – then build a business or career that supports that.
Talk about your work with confidence, and really own what you do.
Manage your time, energy and attention so you do what’s important to you.
Handle your finances and admin more efficiently. (Because there is always more admin!)
Make time for the work you want to make, even if it doesn’t immediately make money.
Structure your days so the work gets done. And you get a life!
Run simple, low-cost experiments and build new income streams.
Market your work or services in a way that feels authentic and right for you. And do it regularly!
Tap into your existing network and community, instead of desperately churning out content for your socials.
Rest more, play more – and feel more inspired.
Plus anything else you want to raise - the sessions are flexible, and adapt to the group.

"A useful, practical course that looks at how you run your time, market yourself and treat yourself as a freelance creative. I loved the mix of different professions in our group." - Paul Digby, artist

How does it work?

We meet every Tuesday at 7.30pm for a 90-minute Zoom session. I deliver some content and offer coaching around it, but we discuss it together.

It's a small group of up to 12 people, from all kinds of creative fields.

If you’re just starting out, it will help you build on strong foundations.
If you’re well-established in your career, it will help you take stock of what’s working and what’s not, and perhaps introduce you to some fresh ideas and approaches.
If you feel stuck, stalled, or if you’re restarting after a career break, it will help you get back into action.

The groups are also about building community. Many group members stay in touch long after the course has ended, supporting each other, collaborating and helping each other, passing on referrals for work.

"Joining Sheryl's coaching group was the best gift I could have given to myself and my career. It empowered me to be bold and unapologetic, to dream bigger, and most importantly, to rediscover the joy of creativity, a spark I had lost over the past few years."
– Genevieve Godbout, illustrator

This is for you if:

You’re already working in a creative field.
You’re under-earning, over-worked, feeling unappreciated.
You’re feeling scattered, easily distracted, overwhelmed.
Your business isn’t working as well as it was – or as well as you think it could be.
You’re ready to make some changes.
You’d enjoy meeting other creatives in a supportive environment, and hearing about their challenges.

I’ve done 14 of these groups now, attracting some brilliant creatives with a wealth of experience to share. Each one has made the content richer, deeper and more useful. We all learn from each other!

"It’s a lonely business being self-employed, but Sheryl’s calm approach helped my work and my emotional wellbeing. My confidence has grown massively, and I believe in my creative skills again!"
– Jemma Watts, photographer

It's probably not for you if:

You’ve always fancied doing something creative, but you’ve never done much about it.
You’ve never earned money from your creative work
You’ve never finished a substantial creative project.
You don’t enjoy meeting people who might be different to you. These groups attract a wide range of creatives, and are a safe space for everyone.

If you’re unsure if it would be a good fit for you, or indeed if you have any other questions, set up a chat with me.

"I appreciated Sheryl's down-to-earth style, and the support of the group was like a big hug every Tuesday evening. We're planning to continue meeting up virtually and put the good ideas into practice."
– Elaine Ewart, poet

The details:

The course starts on October 6 at 7.30pm (UK time). Your investment for the 10 weeks is £645. You can choose to pay in full, or in instalments.

You'll get an email with notes and further resources after each session. At the end of the 10 weeks, you'll get a free e-book, bringing together everything we've covered.

Book before September 15 and you'll also get a bonus one-to-one coaching session with me, to be taken whenever you need it up to 31 March 2027. So you can see the value of this, my normal introductory sessions cost £99; after that, a one-off session is £290.

Times are tough, and my aim is that you should earn this investment back with what you learn and put into action.

But I also understand that it might not be for everyone. I don’t want anyone to feel trapped, so I offer a no-quibble money-back guarantee if you leave before session 4. So you literally have nothing to lose!

"Being a creative is a lonely experience, made worse when the work runs dry. The course gives you a VIP pass to an amazing and diverse cohort of creatives, all happy to share their time and experience to help each other. It was invaluable, and I am a happier photographer for it."
– Danny Burrows, photographer

I know your world.

I'm Sheryl Garratt, a writer, author – and a coach working only with creative professionals. It can be hard for traditional business coaches to understand the unique demands and challenges of creative work. But I've earned a living as a writer for my whole working life, and I know all about the ups and downs, the procrastination and perfectionism, the clients that demand the earth - then vanish into thin air once you've sent your invoice.

I was a journalist and magazine editor (The Face, the Observer magazine) for more than 30 years. In that time, I worked with some of the world’s best writers, photographers, stylists, designers and illustrators. I’ve also interviewed hundreds of people at the very top of their creative fields, and learned from all of them. (If you’re interested in seeing a few of them, go to my writing website.)

As a coach, I’m passionate about creative process, and helping creators make a good living from what they do – while also having a juicy, interesting life with plenty of time for fun, friends, family. What you make matters, and we need your creativity now more than ever. (Even though it might not always feel that way!)

This is my 15th group programme. It started in the pandemic, when most of us were yearning for more conversations with other creatives. The course has changed and evolved every time I do it, shaped by the brilliant creatives who come along.

You’re not just getting my knowledge here – you’re getting the collective wisdom of the 150+ creative professionals who have been through these groups.

Yes! Book my place.

Payment plan available if you'd rather spread the cost: see that here

MORE COMMENTs about the course

"I signed up looking to connect to other creatives, and learn how to move my own practice forward. The course delivered all that and more, packed with great ideas, practical advice, and useful exercises. Sheryl is fantastic. She just gets it, and she empowers you to make smart choices, reflect proactively and determine future directions. And my fellow course-members – what a great bunch of people!"
– Prof. Lawrence Zeegen, design educator, speaker and writer

"This was an incredibly rich and varied course, full of practical advice and tips for creative minds. It helped me to rethink the way I approach potential collaborators ,and the discussions and sharing of ideas has developed my confidence in talking about my own work and career to date."

Rhiannon Tise

Writer for TV, theatre and radio

It gave me confidence to own what I do, creatively and business-wise. I have come away brimming with ideas, little tweaks to implement – and encouragement.

Jennifer Maslin

Violinist and singer

It really drove home the importance of rest and renewal to creativity, rather than pushing on and forcing yourself to be productive when you are exhausted. It gave me so many tools – I know that I will keep returning to the material for years !

Bonnie Radcliffe

Designer and writer

"I signed up for this feeling disillusioned, tired and scared at the end of a gruelling, year-long creative process. Sheryl helped me to work out how to restart the business part of my practice in a way that was healthy and manageable, and encouraged me to find time to make new things too. I can't recommend this enough."
– Callum Cummins, musician/producer