Strategy & Planning
Get focused. Stay on track. Make real progress.
For creative professionals with too many ideas, not enough time, and a business that needs a clearer way to work.
Managing a creative business on your own means juggling a lot - your work, marketing, finances, ideas, and everyday life.
It’s not about doing more. It’s about designing a better way to run your business - one that fits your time, energy, and life. And make real progress without feeling so overwhelmed.
If this feels familiar, you’re not alone.
You’ve got too many ideas, and they all feel important
You start new projects excitedly, but struggle to finish them
Your weeks disappear without real progress on your priorities
You feel busy, but not genuinely productive
You’ve made plans before, but they didn’t stick
You’re juggling your business with work, family, or other responsibilities
Your sales go up and down throughout the year
You feel often behind, especially to get ready for Christmas sales
You want more focus and control - but everything feels scattered
You’re not short on ideas or ambition. You need a better way to organise your time, energy, and priorities.
Have a look at how we can support you …
Our flagship Dream Plan Do membership includes two levels:
Plan with purpose — and make it happen
Dream Plan Do is our proven planning framework for creative professionals who want to step back from the day-to-day, make better business decisions and focus their time & energy on what matters most.
You’ll learn how to:
Think bigger about what you want from your business — and make more intentional choices about where you’re going
Connect the different parts of your business, from your creative practice and income streams to finance & marketing
Work with the seasons & your capacity, rather than expecting every week or month to be the same
Choose what deserves your attention and turn your priorities into strategic, focused, realistic 90-day action plans to make time for what’s important
Actually follow through, using regular reviews and accountability in the Planner Handbook & VIP Club to keep moving forward
Created, developed and fine-tuned over the last 11 years by Patricia van den Akker, thousands of creatives around the world have used Dream Plan Do to take greater ownership of their business, make better decisions and turn their plans into action.
FeSTIVAL + Planner
Step back. Dream bigger. Plan your year with intention.
Tue 12 - Thu 14 January 2027 | 10am - 1pm UK time
A 3-morning creative business planning workshop in mid January, guided by Patricia to review where you are, reconnect with what you want, and make clearer decisions about your business and priorities for the year ahead.
Includes:
3 × 3-hour live online Dream, Plan & Do sessions
Guided reflection, set business goals, and create annual and quarterly financial & marketing plans
Space to make decisions, set priorities & create your first 90-day quarterly plan
The 120-page Dream Plan Do Planner Handbook to support you throughout the year
Dream Plan Do VIP Club
Keep your plans alive - and make them actually happen
A 12-month membership (Jan - Dec) for creatives who know that they need more accountability and regular strategic thinking to keep focused throughout the year.
Includes everything in the Festival + Planner, plus:
4 × 3-hour quarterly strategy workshops to review, refocus and create your next 90-day plan
8 × 90-minute monthly check-ins and Q&As to keep you accountable and moving forward
Live sessions only on last Monday morning of the month — so you actively put time in your diary to step back, think and work on your business
Guided by Patricia, you’ll join a supportive community of ambitious creatives doing the work alongside you
Dream Plan Do opens for pre-order from 22 - 24 September 2026. Sign up below to be included on the priority list.
★★★★★
"Dream Plan Do has shown me that I know more than I think and feel more confident in what I'm doing. It's good to have the regular reminder of what I need to focus on."
Eloisa Henderson-Figueroa, Mural Artist
★★★★★
It's so easy to forget all the good things, and Dream Plan Do has helped me to focus on what matters - my WHY, and recognising all the good things that happen along the way.
As a solo-entrepreneur, spending most of my time on my own, being part of this online community has been invaluable. I will definitely be back next year!
Ling Warlow, Paper by Dragonfly, Paper Botanist
Photo by @kerryn_grady_creative
★★★★★
"Dream Plan Do has made me believe I can achieve more - and I have! It's helped me to think big, then to break this down into smaller more manageable chunks, a pathway to work along."
Louise Goult, Textile Artist
Planning & Strategy Training
Training to help you plan better & manage your business more effectively
If you’re not ready for Dream Plan Do yet, we offer practical online workshops to help you improve your planning, time management, and run your business day to day. You don’t need more ideas, you need to focus on what you do best.
Currently available Strategy & Planning training
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Manage Your Business Part-Time
Practical 5-hour workshop to help you balance your business with other work, family, and responsibilities.
£ 79
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Dream Plan Do 2027
Join the Festival and get our Business Planner Handbook too. Or upgrade to our VIP Club for all year-round support & accountability.
Join during the 3-day Pre Order sale: 22 - 24 September
★★★★★
"It has been a real eye opener keeping track of expenditure and earnings on a monthly basis rather than just doing it when my tax return is due.
Also planning ahead has been huge! I am actively now working on my Christmas collection instead of cobbling something together at the end of October!"
Ann Smyth, Glass Artist
★★★★★
"I now have a weekly schedule that runs in the 40,40,20% ratio, each section of the day is split into admin, client work, marketing and development.
I was scatter gun a year ago, I am finally feeling my new online business is well structured and my head space is calm."
Sarah Burghard, Designer
★★★★★
"The Dream Plan Do sessions are extremely helpful, but fun too, and connecting with other creatives has been a game changer."
Athene Sholl, Jeweller
Our recommended creative business planning resources
Explore our free resources to help you plan your work, manage your time, and build a more structured way of working.
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