If you’re tired of chasing invoices, wrestling with scope creep, or working for clients who think “just one more thing” is free, this is your permission slip to stop.
In just eight weeks together in the Contracts Clinic and Crash Course, create a custom contract that makes your boundaries clear, your rates respected, and your work actually fun again. You’ll learn how to write a contract you actually understand (and more importantly, one you’ll actually use), so you can work with dream clients without the drama.
The right contract means clients respect your time, your talent, and your rates before the work even starts. Interested? Join the Waitlist for the next round!
Working together with Sheila, I felt very tended to, came away with a new perspective on how I approach work & see myself as a working artist, and honestly – Sheila went above and beyond expectations.
– A Current Contracts Client (and a badass creative arts educator and artist!)
You didn’t go into business to become a full-time firefighter.
But here you are, putting out client emergencies that aren’t yours, redoing work that was never in the original plan, and waiting weeks (or months) to get paid.
You’ve read the articles, downloaded the “free contract templates” and maybe even hired a lawyer once… but nothing sticks. Why? Because your contract isn’t just a document. It’s a boundary. And right now, yours is probably about as sturdy as wet tissue paper.
Imagine sending a contract that feels good to you, not like something you copied from the internet and hoped for the best.
Imagine clients who respect the scope you set, pay on time without reminders, and actually make your work feel fun again.
That’s not wishful thinking—it’s exactly what happens when your contract is written for how you work, in your words, with your business in mind.
Every day you wait to fix your client contract is another day you gamble with your time, energy, and income.
- That “one small exception” for a client? It turns into three extra weeks of work.
- That “quick favor” you agreed to? It’s now a full-blown unpaid project.
- And when payment gets delayed? You’re left chasing invoices instead of doing the creative work you actually love.
The truth is, boundaries aren’t something you set once; they’re something you protect every single time you take on a project.
Your contract is the guardrail that keeps things on track. Without it, you’ll keep spiraling into the same stress cycles with the same kinds of clients.
The sooner you get your contract working for you, the sooner you start attracting clients who value what you do—and pay you like it.
I’ll guide you through all of the muck and yuck in a kind and supportive space, so you can create a client contract you (and your clients) deserve.
You can expect to learn about contracts, yes, but you’ll also walk away with all kinds of skills you didn’t know you needed:
- Your biggest contract blind spot – the one thing quietly sabotaging your projects (and why it keeps happening).
- The shifts you can make right away to stop scope creep, late payments, and client overreach in their tracks.
- The foundations of your Contract Confidence Blueprint – a simple plan to protect your time, talent, and energy without turning every client conversation into a confrontation.
No fluff. No generic “just raise your rates” advice. Just clear, doable steps to create your custom contract, so you can get your boundaries back, your projects on track, and your creative spark firing again.
I am truly appreciating the work Sheila and I did together. I am so grateful for the time she spent inspiring me to slow down, focus, and grow my business tweaking a little bit at a time. In such a short time, I have learned more about who I am and what I bring to the table as a business owner and I have carved out the services and experience I bring to my clients. I am doing the work that lights me up inside and beyond motivated to keep going on this path. Sheila is the best investment in your past, present, and future self.
– Current Client, Florida
I joined during a pivotal time in my life, when I faced many important decisions. Being in a group with humans at various stages of their lives revealed strong similarities in our experiences despite our different circumstances. This shared understanding was both comforting and enlightening as we navigated our personal and professional challenges together. Sheila played a crucial role throughout this process, providing consistent support and guidance. She checked in regularly and offered advice whenever needed, helping us visualize and create the future we desire. Her dedication and care have made a significant impact on my journey.
– Amy Mincher, Vermont
I joined hoping to meet new people and gain new perspectives. Initially, I didn’t know what to expect, but I quickly found the people in the group to be relatable. This relatability made me feel comfortable enough to be open and honest, which was a refreshing experience. Sheila, you are GREAT at what you do! If I could award you, it would be with the Inspiration Igniter award. Your guidance and constant encouragement are both inspiring and motivating. Thank you for this amazing opportunity!
– Marleika W., Louisiana
No matter whether you need stronger boundaries, to reset expectations, or to make better decisions about the projects and clients and pay you take on, the contracts course is built to meet you exactly where you are.
Here’s how it works:
- Step 1: Spot the patterns holding your contracts (and your confidence) hostage. You’ll finally see why certain client situations keep repeating.
- Step 2: Get the exact language you can use in your contracts and conversations to prevent scope creep, late payments, and misaligned projects before they start.
- Step 3: Put it into action with my tested Contract Confidence Framework, so you’re no longer reacting to client problems. Instead, you’ll be preventing them.
By the end of our eight weeks together, you’ll have a clear, written plan for how to:
- Say “no” without feeling guilty.
- Set expectations so clearly that clients thank you for it.
- Choose projects and clients that actually light you up, and walk away from the rest without second-guessing.
This isn’t just theory. It’s a repeatable, real-world system you can apply to every project, every client, every time. It’s worked for 15 years with my own clients and if you take the time to learn the foundations and put it into action, then I am sure it’ll work for you, too.
Time to take a breath …
Ready to take control of your Creative Business?
If you’re tired of feeling stuck in client chaos, chasing payments, and losing hours to scope creep, this course is your game-changer. It’s time to stop people-pleasing and start building contracts and boundaries that work for you.
Let’s get you set up for success – with clients who respect your time, projects that flow smoothly, and paychecks that actually arrive on time.
Your creative business deserves contracts that protect your passion and your paycheck.
Join us if you’re ready for a client contract that dots all your i’s and crosses all your t’s.
Together, we’ll address the foundations of a client contract, but before we do, we’ll make sure you’re clear on who you serve, what you do, and why.
- Week 1: Who You Serve, What You Do, and Why
- Week 2: Parties, Relationship of Parties & Employment Status // Expectations for Communication
- Week 3: Summary of Client Needs (Brief Delivered) // Scope of Services
- Week 4: Project Timelines including Milestones and Phases // Strategy & Process
- Week 5: Work Made for Hire // High-level Intellectual Property Ownership & Licensing
- Week 6: Compensation, Payment Terms & Cost Breakdown
- Week 7: Enforcement // Dispute Resolution & Applicable Law
- Week 8: Limitation of Liability, Indemnification and Hold Harmless, Amendments, Termination, Force Majeure, Miscellaneous
If you’ve been waiting for permission to handle clients differently, then this is it.
Here’s what’s included:
TL;DR:
- Intentionally small group (group goal of 15 to 25 creative humans)
- Two meetings each week – one on Tuesdays at 1 pm Central for 90 minutes (traditional “lecture” class with live chat for questions) and one on Thursdays at 1 pm Central for 90 minutes (Office Hours, Q&A) (Classes will be recorded, but for Q&A, it’s just us so we can speak freely)
- An ongoing Support Group on Circle, Weekly Homework, and a Contract Outline / Notebook
- Exclusive access to the exact proprietary process I use with my own clients to build their contracts
- Exclusive access to schedule a student-priced, private Contract Check-Up with me after our eight weeks together – I will review your draft and give you feedback about what’s good, great, and can be even better!
- Our first call is generally on the Tuesday of the week of the start of each round. This gives you time to finalize your new and revised client contract in time for the next quarter!
Take the first step toward the clarity you never knew you needed.
As an attorney, social worker, educator, coach, and consultant, I have personally navigated the challenges that this class addresses, and I have guided thousands of others in doing the same. It’s a blend of practical experience and professional expertise.
My unique approach, combining real-life insights with actionable strategies, sets this apart from more generic offerings you might see on the internet. You’re actually going to IMPLEMENT the things you learn – not just leave all of this in a PDF / Course graveyard, because you’ll have Gentle Accountability™ with me and our group of other badass professionals like yourself.
The Resentment
This is right for you if you’re stuck in a cycle of overdelivering, overcommitting, and overextending yourself for clients who don’t always respect your time, talent, or expertise. If you want to create your best work, but projects drag on forever, scope creep is constant, and getting paid feels like an uphill battle, then chances are you’re exhausted, resentful, and wondering if this is just the price of being a creative professional. (Spoiler: It’s not. Join us!)
The Frustration
This is right for you if you’re delivering incredible work, but somehow, your client relationships still feel… off. Or if you start projects with high hopes, only to find yourself frustrated, waiting on missing info, or dealing with a client who expects way more than they actually paid for. Maybe you assumed everyone was on the same page—but clearly, they weren’t. If you’re stuck managing mismatched expectations, and it’s draining your creativity (and your patience), join us.
The Stuckness
This is right for you if you’re always saying “yes” when you should be saying “let me think about it.” Maybe you want to be selective with your clients, pricing, and projects—but instead, you’re making decisions based on pressure, panic, or the promise of “exposure.” If you’re stuck in a cycle of work that doesn’t quite fit, with clients who don’t quite respect you, for rates that don’t quite pay the bills, then something’s gotta change. Join us.
STILL ON THE FENCE?
Here are some common questions:
How do I know if the Contracts Clinic and Crash Course is for me? What if I’ve tried contracts before and it didn’t work?
Great question! 🦄 Contracts only work when they fit your business and your boundaries. This course focuses on creating contracts that actually protect you and help you make decisions with confidence — not cookie-cutter templates or “one size fits all” legalese.
This is right for you if:
✅ You deeply care about your work and your clients—sometimes too much.
✅ You’re adaptable and always find a way to get things done, even when clients throw last-minute requests at you.
✅ You’re a natural problem solver who can think outside the box and make magic happen.
✅ You have strong creative instincts—you know your work is valuable.
✅ You’re passionate about your work and want to do right by your clients.
✅ You’re a natural communicator and love collaborating with others.
✅ You believe in giving clients a great experience (you want them to be happy).
✅ You’re flexible and can adjust when things don’t go as planned.
✅ You’re adaptable and open to new opportunities.
✅ You genuinely love your work and want to make an impact.
✅ You’re a creative problem-solver who can make things work, even under stress.
✅ You believe in the value of what you do—you know your work matters.
BUT
🔥 Your projects constantly take longer than expected because clients drag things out.
🔥 You’re saying “yes” to things you don’t want to do (or weren’t paid to do).
🔥 You’re drowning in revisions, last-minute changes, and unpaid extras.
🔥 You feel like you have to earn respect from clients instead of commanding it upfront.
🔥 Clients take forever to send feedback, then expect immediate revisions.
🔥 Clients expect unlimited changes or last-minute tweaks—without extra payment.
🔥 You’re constantly explaining (and re-explaining) things that should be clear from the start.
🔥 You feel like clients don’t fully appreciate the work that goes into your process.
🔥 You end up with clients who don’t respect your time, process, or pricing.
🔥 You say yes to too many projects, leaving you overworked and underpaid.
🔥 You feel trapped in work that’s draining your creative energy.
🔥 You keep thinking, “Next time, I’ll be more selective”—but next time never comes.
If this sounds like you, join us!
I’m swamped already — how much time will this course take?
Good news: this isn’t a full-time job. Expect about 3-5 hours per week, broken into manageable chunks so you can fit it around your current workload and life. Plus, you’ll get tools to save time in the long run by stopping client chaos before it starts.
I’m not a lawyer — will this course be too technical or a bunch of legal jargon?
Great question. It depends! (That’s a lawyer joke 🤣) Just kidding. Absolutely not! I’m an attorney, but this course is designed for creatives, not legal pros. You’ll get clear, jargon-free guidance with practical, actionable steps that anyone can follow with clients — no law degree required.
I’m interested, but I’ve tried virtual groups before and they didn’t work. How will I know this will help me?
I’ve been teaching this content in university settings for over 15 years. Contracts are my jam. This isn’t a “coaching group” – this is class, then office hours. It’s meant to be educational and to give you the structure to put this into action IMMEDIATELY. I want you to have a new (or revised) custom contract before the new year!
Do you have sliding scale options? How much does it cost?
The regular price in 2025 is $850.* (Waitlisters generally get at least $100 off the regular price)
- Not everyone can afford to pay ahead and I do not want to penalize people because their resources are different from someone else’s. Payments will automatically charge your card according to your choice. There are no discounts for paying in full and everyone pays the same – this ensures an equitable and egalitarian experience for everyone.
- There will be one payment plan available (50/50) to make it easier to invest in your business without stress; the only increase is to cover the extra processing fees. The 50/50 payments are monthly. On the day you register, you’re choosing when you’ll have the recurring payment. You’ll need to make the payment by the last day of the month for the next month; if you do not pay timely, I reserve the right to Pause your access to our group calls and shift you out of the Circle group until you’re caught up (indefinitely). Payment terms will be on your invoices, and are also included in the Special Terms and Conditions on my site.
* When determining the fee, it was important to me to put this in a “hell yes” range so it feels good to you of course, but also, so that it feels good to me as an equitable energy exchange. I also want you to have some skin in the game, but the price is not so high that it feels like you have to choose between your rent and your business.
Will I get any support during the course?
Absolutely. You’ll have access to a private community where you can ask questions and connect with other creatives on the same journey. Plus, I’m hosting Office Hours (Q&A) on Thursdays to answer questions and guide you along the way. You’ll have access to live sessions, interactive exercises, and a supportive community of like-minded professionals. Between calls, you can continue the conversation and get support through our private Circle community, where you can ask questions, share wins, and stay connected. Additionally, you can always schedule time one-on-one with me here.
Is the investment worth the benefits?
This course is an investment in yourself and your future. The insights and tools you’ll gain are transformative and can lead to significant improvements in your work-life balance, client relationships, and overall well-being. It’s about taking actionable steps towards living a life that truly aligns with your values and desires. So, do I believe it changes lives? Yes. Do my clients believe it’s changed their lives? Yes. But only you know your level of commitment to changing yours.
How is the group structured? Will it be convenient for my schedule?
The course runs for eight weeks, meeting twice a week. The “class” portion of our course is on Tuesday afternoons, Central; the Office Hours (Q&A) portion is on Thursday afternoons, Central time. All sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom, allowing you to participate from the comfort of your home or office or while traveling. We will only record Tuesday class sessions as replays.
Is there a money-back guarantee or satisfaction guarantee?
Because of the digital nature of this course and its materials, the short answer is no. I believe in the value of this course and am confident you’ll find it helpful. However, if you attend all of the sessions, do all the homework, implement your plan, and still genuinely feel you haven’t gained any value, reach out and let’s talk. Review our Policies about how to request assistance. Payments are contractually binding for the full amount.
How long will I have access to the materials?
To incentivize you to have a new contract by the new year that you can roll out to new and continuing clients, access will end on December 31st of the same calendar year. That means you still have plenty of time after our class is over to implement and to review materials. You will also receive a special student-priced link for me to review your contract and give you feedback, so you’ll want to do that sooner than later to secure your spot.
A friend of mine wants to join, too, but can’t afford it. Can I share my materials with them?
Short answer: NO. Long answer: No, and that’s because the materials in this program are proprietary and confidential. Your enrollment only allows one license – that’s to you. It’s non-transferrable. If they have issues paying, have them reach out to me directly.
Last Question: Is this course only for certain creative professions?
Not at all. You might be a lawyer, or a designer, artist, yogi, developer, engineer, writer, photographer – we’re ALL creative! If you want client contracts and boundaries that protect your time and talent, this course is for you.
BONUS:
Get FREE early access to the Managing Client Expectations Mini-Course!
- Clearly articulate what’s really frustrating you about your clients
- Better understand what’s keeping you stuck (and what got you stuck in the first place) to break the cycle
- Walk through the process of creating a step-by-step action plan to address the situation
- Learn how to reconnect your intellectual and emotional knowledge so you become a better decision maker (which is the KEY to avoiding getting annoyed again) and ensure that you create YOUR version of success