Insights

From Creator to CEO: When It’s Time to Run Your Brand Like a Business

September 17, 2025

Illustration of hand pointing to chart

For influencers and entertainers, growth starts with creativity. You’re focused on content, collaborations, and connecting with your audience. But as your reach expands, so does the business side of your work — and that’s where things get complicated.

Suddenly, you’re hiring an assistant, a videographer, or a manager. You’re negotiating contracts, paying multiple people, and juggling sponsorship revenue with expenses. Whether you realize it or not, you’re now running a company. And companies need systems.

Signs You’ve Outgrown DIY Management

  • Paying team members with Venmo or checks
  • Scrambling at tax time to pull together income and expense records
  • Not knowing exactly how much profit you’re making
  • Wondering whether you should be an LLC, S Corp, or something else
  • Spending more time on admin than on your craft

The Shift: Building Your Business Infrastructure

When you reach this stage, the key is to move from ad hoc management to a real business setup. That means:

  • Payroll & Benefits – Paying your team through proper payroll software like Gusto ensures compliance and makes tax season easier.
  • Entity Structure – Choosing and setting up the right entity can protect you legally and save thousands in taxes.
  • Bookkeeping & Reporting – Tools like QuickBooks Online track every dollar so you know exactly where you stand.
  • Tax Strategy – Ongoing planning helps you keep more of what you earn and avoid costly surprises.

Why Go All-In-One

Many creators try to patch this together with a bookkeeper, a tax preparer, and occasional advice from a consultant. The problem? No one has the full picture. At Tenth Avenue Group, we bring bookkeeping, accounting, tax, HR, and CFO-level strategy under one roof — so your creative business runs as smoothly as your content calendar.

Ready to Focus on What You Do Best?

If you’ve reached the point where managing the business side is eating into your creative time, it’s time to put real systems in place. We help influencers and entertainers professionalize their operations, stay compliant, and grow with confidence.

Let’s talk about how to build the back office your brand deserves.