Manage a Part-Time Business – 2026
‘MANAGE A PART-TIME BUSINESS’ – a 2-part online course for creatives on Mon 22 and 29 June, 10am – 12noon UK time
Create a profitable and enjoyable creative business that fits your real life, your energy and your ambitions.
Stop trying to squeeze a full-time business into part-time hours.
Whether you’re combining your business with another job, parenting, caring responsibilities, retirement, study or health challenges, this practical two-part online course will help you create a more realistic, sustainable and financially viable creative business.
Together we’ll explore what business models, income streams and marketing approaches work particularly well for part-time creative professionals with limited time (and energy,!) so that you can focus on what matters most and stop feeling that you’re constantly ‘behind’.
By the end of this short course you will:
- Understand what your business really needs financially and what ‘success’ means for you.
- Discover which products, services and sales channels are better suited to creative, part-time businesses.
- Feel more confident about focusing your limited time & energy where it matters most.
- Learn alongside other part-time creative professionals who understand the realities of juggling real life & business.
- Leave with a practical six-month action plan and much more confidence about what to do next.
This short online course is designed and hosted by Patricia van den Akker, the award-winning creative business adviser, trainer and coach, and director of The Design Trust.
Two online workshops: Mondays 22 + 29 June 2026 10am – 12 noon (UK)
Can’t make it live? No worries! Both sessions will be recorded and you’ll get access to the recordings, presentations and resources in the course hub till 31 December 2026
£79 incl. VAT
Money a little tight? You can pay in 3 monthly instalments by selecting the Paypal Later option at the checkout.
In stock
the key facts
- 2 x 2-hour online practical & reflective course on Mondays 22 & 29 June 10am – 12noon (UK time)
- Outcome: Understand your motivations & challenges around working part-time, learn how to manage your energy & time better, and create a more part-time-friendly business model with a 6-months action plan
- Especially created for: Creative professionals who work part-time, and want less stress and more freedom, creativity and joy in their life and business!
- Tutor: Patricia van den Akker, creative business adviser, trainer u0026 coach, and the Director of The Design Trust
- Time commitment: 2 x 2 hours for the training. We suggest you will need another 2-3 hours to finish your financial forecast and your 6-months action plan
Do you sometimes feel as if you’re trying to do everything, but never quite catch up?
Perhaps you have (recently) taken on a part-time job because money has become tighter. Maybe you’re combining your creative business with family life, caring responsibilities, study, health challenges or retirement. Or perhaps you’ve consciously decided that you do not want your business to consume every waking hour!
Whatever your circumstances, you’re certainly not alone.
We’ve spoken to many, many creative professionals who have moved towards part-time business hours (in the last year especially!). Some feel relieved by the financial extra security of a job. Others feel frustrated, guilty or worry that somehow they are no longer running a “proper” business.
And yet I believe something quite different.
There is nothing wrong with running a creative business part-time!
In fact, for many people it can be a smart, strategic and enjoyable way to work.
But there is one big problem:
Most business advice out there assumes you are working full-time.
It assumes unlimited hours, unlimited energy & capacity, and the ability to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity.
That’s simply not the reality that we see for many creative professionals. Trying to follow full-time business advice when you only have two or three days a week available often leaves you feeling exhausted, guilty and permanently behind.
I believe a part-time creative business isn’t a failed full-time business.
But it deserves its own strategy.
And that’s exactly what we’ll explore together!
This short course is for you if …
The Design Trust works especially with creative professionals, so this two-part online course is designed for designer makers, artists, illustrators, photographers, creative teachers and other creative professionals who are running their business alongside real life.
Perhaps you currently have another job or studies and want your creative business to provide additional income and fulfilment. Maybe your (grand)children still need your support, or you’re caring for elderly parents. Or you are dealing with your own or other people’s health issues and have limited time and energy. Or perhaps you’re approaching retirement and want your creative work to bring both joy and extra income – without creating another full-time job.
This short online course will be especially valuable if you often find yourself feeling overwhelmed, trying to fit too much into too little time, or comparing yourself to people whose circumstances are completely different from your own.
And if you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really create a successful creative business working part-time?”, then this workshop is definitely for you!
THIS course IS not ABOUT DOING MORE!!!
One of the biggest mistakes I see creative professionals make is trying to fit a full-time business into part-time hours.
No wonder so many creatives feel exhausted!
Instead, we’ll explore how to design a business that fits YOUR current reality.
We’ll look at which products, services and business models naturally suit people with limited time We’ll identify what to focus on and, equally importantly, what to STOP doing. Together we’ll explore how to make better decisions so that your business supports your life, rather than the other way round.
One of the things I often say to clients is:
“Build your business around your capacity, not around your guilt.”
During these two practical workshops we will explore:
Session 1: Understanding your reality & making the numbers work
Monday 22 June 10am – 12noon UK time
We’ll start with your reality and current situation, because pretending your constraints don’t exist isn’t helpful.
We’ll explore your motivations and circumstances, the advantages and frustrations of working part-time, and the beliefs that may be holding you back.
We’ll also look at the financial side of your business and help you understand what income you really need and whether your current products, prices and income streams support the life you want.
You’ll have time to reflect individually, share experiences with others and begin to see your business in a new way.
We’ll give you a little bit of homework for the next session a week later.
Session 2: Designing a more part-time-friendly business
Monday 29 June 10am – 12noon UK time
Very little business advice talks about this: Some business models work much better for part-time businesses than others. Some products, services and marketing approaches require constant attention and endless energy. Others can provide greater income, more enjoyment and more flexibility. Together we’ll explore which options are the best fit for you.
We’ll look at creating a more sustainable business model, improving your focus, managing your time and energy, saying ‘no’ more confidently, and creating a realistic six-month plan for you & your life and business.
There will be plenty of opportunities to reflect and to learn from other part-time creative professionals who understand exactly what it means to juggle a business alongside everything else life throws at us.
WHY PEOPLE LOVED THIS WORKSHOP LAST YEAR
Last year we hosted this as a 4 hour online workshop for the very first time.
It was one of the most popular workshops I taught last year!
But, it was frankly a bit much in 4 hours … so we have broken it down now into 2 sessions of 2 hours each (much easier to fit in for parttime creatives!).
What participants appreciated most wasn’t just the practical advice, but the sense of relief that came from realising they weren’t alone.
Many told me that they had never come across business advice specifically aimed at people working part-time.
One participant summed it up beautifully: “I realised I wasn’t failing. I was simply trying to run a full-time business in part-time hours.”
Another shared: “This workshop helped me stop feeling guilty and gave me permission to focus on what really matters.”And perhaps my favourite comment was: “I finally understood that my business needs to fit around my life, not the other way round.”
You can upgrade to have a 60min, online 121 strategy session with Patricia, either when you sign up, or if you want to book this after this short course has finished. This session needs to be booked by 30 September to give you time to implement. This is a unique opportunity to get 121 advice about your training and marketing from an expert. This 121 option is ONLY available when you book this short course, and is at a discounted rate.
a business course especially for part-time creative businesses
2 online workshops
Mon 22 + 29 June 10am – 12pm UK time
Can’t make it live? No worries! Get access till 31 December 2026 to the recordings, presentations & extra downloadable resources
Money a bit tight? You can pay in 3 monthly instalments by selecting the ‘PayPal Later’ option at the check out.
In stock
MEET YOUR TUTOR
Patricia van den Akker
Creative business adviser, trainer & coach and director of The Design Trust
For over 25 years Patricia van den Akker has advised and trained thousands of designers, makers and creative professionals. As Director of The Design Trust, she specialises in helping creative businesses become more profitable, sustainable and enjoyable.
Her approach combines practical business advice with honest conversations, thoughtful reflection and a deep understanding of the realities creative professionals face.
Expect far more than just information.
You’ll have space to reflect, practical exercises to work through, breakout discussions with like-minded part-time creatives and the support of others who truly understand the challenges and opportunities of running a creative business part-time.
This is the course that Patricia wished had been there when she started The Design Trust business school part-time with two young children and a supportive husband.
FAQ: Got any further questions?
click the arrow to get your answers
How much time will this short course take?
This online course will take place on Monday 22 + 29 June from 10am – 12noon UK time. So 2 x 2hours online training.
And at a child-friendly time!
We will give you a little bit of practical homework in advance and afterwards, but frankly this is about deciding what you will do LESS of, rather than more!
And if you can’t make it … no worries as the sessions will be recorded and you will have access until 31 December to watch them in our private course hub.
To finish your 6-months plan you probably need 2 hours or so afterwards.
I can’t make it on Mondays 22 + 29 June in the morning. Is that a problem?
We recommend that you join the workshop live if at all possible.
You will be reflecting and planning improvements to your own life and part-time business, but also learning from other creatives like you through the chat and in break-out rooms. If you listen to the recording then you will miss out on this collaborative learning experience.
But, especially as you work part-time we completely understand that you might not be able to join us live!
Remember that this online course will be recorded and posted on our private workshop hub. You will have to the recordings + presentations + resources until 31 December 2026.
I work less than 4 hours per week in my creative business. Is this course suitable for me?
Most people who signed up for this course last year were working at least 2 days in their business.
If you have less than half a day each week available, then this will slow you down in your progress and you will need to be realistic.
However, the fewer hours you have available, the more important it is to make thoughtful decisions about what to focus on and what to let go of.
This short course will encourage you to focus, make the most of the limited time you have got, and what works best, while setting more realistic expectations and goals.
I’ve recently taken on a part-time job because money is tight. Will this short course help me?
Yes! Many creatives are doing exactly that. Especially in the last year as many creatives are finding it harder to make money.
This short course will help you think strategically about how your employed work and creative work fit together and how to create a business that feels sustainable and financially worthwhile for you.
What if I am not very tech-savvy?
We use Zoom for our online workshops an online platform that’s very easy to access, and many people are already familiar with.
A week before your workshop starts we will send you the details of how to sign up for the two workshops on Zoom. If you do not receive this email then get in touch with us ASAP.
Our private online platform (where we will post the presentation + recording afterwards) is really easy to use too. You’ll only need basic computer literacy in order to navigate it.
Will there be opportunities to talk to other creatives?
Definitely!
One of the things participants value often the most in The Design Trust training is the opportunity to connect with other creative professionals who understand them.
There will be individual reflection exercises and breakout room discussions in both sessions (and all are voluntary so if you do not want to talk with others that’s absolutely fine too!).
Money is a little tight … Are there any discounts or payment plans available?
We completely understand that especially as you’re working part-time that money can be a bit of an issue, so we really have tried to make this short course affordable for you!
You can pay in 3 monthly instalments by selecting the ‘Paypal Later’ option at the check out.
Our Business Club & Dream Plan Do Club members get 15% discount on this course as part of their membership. See the homepage of the BC and DPD courses or recent emails for details.
I want to join with a friend. Can I share?
When you buy an online workshop from us then you purchase a single license, which means that you can NOT share the recording or presentation with others.
Like you, we are a small creative business, and this online course is full of our copyrighted material and expertise that Patricia has developed over many years. If you share with others who haven’t paid then you are basically stealing from us.
We know you wouldn’t like it if others did the same to you. So THANK YOU for not sharing with others.
Until when can I book this workshop? And how long do I have access to this workshop?
We highly recommend that you try to sign up for this workshop and join us live – in this case on Monday 22 + 29 June.
However you can still sign up for this short course over the summer and watch the recordings (accessible till 31 December).
We will not give a discount for recording-only access, and we highly recommend you try to join us live.
What if I need to cancel?
The course will start on Monday 22 June at 10am, and we will record both sessions and give you access to the recording and the presentation till 31 December 2026.
After this course has started we will not offer any refunds as you can still access it whenever you like.
If you need to cancel before this course starts (22 June) then please email us on [email protected] for a full refund. Please make sure that we acknowledge receiving your email.
Unfortunately it takes 5 – 10 working days for the money to be returned to your bank account due to the slowness of most banks.
I have another question …
If you have any other questions then please get in touch with us on [email protected]. We are always happy to help.