Ever felt overwhelmed by the 'M' word (money!)? 🙋‍♀️ As creatives, we often navigate a tricky relationship with finances. It's not just about the numbers; it's about the emotional baggage, the lack of formal training, and the unpredictable nature of our work. But what if we could change the narrative?

Today, I'm thrilled to have Owais Lightwala on the show. He's not just a tech startup founder, but also a professor, theater producer, and the director of a multidisciplinary performance hub. Owais shares his fascinating career journey and the inspiration behind his startup, SAI, a platform designed to empower creators to take control of their finances.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:00 Intro
• 03:00 Owais's Multifaceted Career: From Theater to Tech
• 06:30 The Unexpected Path: When Passion Meets Rebellion
• 09:00 The Birth of SAI: Empowering Creators Through Financial Control
• 13:30 The Unique Financial Challenges of the Creative Life
• 18:30 Breaking the Taboo: It's Okay Not to Be 'Good' with Money
• 24:30 The Juggling Act: Finding Balance in a Multi-Passionate Life
• 32:00 Embracing AI: The Future of Creativity & Opportunity
• 38:30 The Specialist vs. the Generalist: Finding Your Unique Value
• 43:00 Connect with Owais & SAI

This episode is also available on Youtube. Watch it here:

www.youtube.com/@bettyxcoach

About Owais:

Owais Lightwala is a professor, entrepreneur and optimist. He is an Assistant Professor in the Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University, focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation in creative industries. He co-founded and leads Sai, a tech startup dedicated to revolutionizing how creatives manage their finances. Lightwala is also the founding Director of Chrysalis at the Creative School, a new multidisciplinary performance hub at TMU shaping the future of creative experiences. He has designed and led leadership training programs for the National Arts Centre and the Toronto Arts Council Leaders Lab (2023-2025). He used to be a theatre producer, most notably as the first Managing Director for Why Not Theatre, where he co-led the meteoric growth of the company and transformative projects like RISER and The Mahabharata. He was born in Pakistan, grew up in Dubai, and came to Canada as a teenager, which is why he doesn’t get most pop cultural references from the 90s. His bold strategic voice have been sought out by institutions like National Arts Centre, Canada Council for the Arts, and Canadian Heritage.

Connect with Owais

Check out Sai

https://sai.cx/

Website: https://owais.ca

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lightwala

About Betty

Betty Xie is a creative and career coach for creatives. Her 1:1 coaching program has helped photographers, filmmakers, visual artists, arts leaders, and arts consultants to design and implement intentional growth in their practice so that they can make their art and make happier money. Check out her 1:1 coaching programs here: www.xiebetty.com/coaching

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