What’s the Budget

Ever noticed how sales conversations suddenly stall the moment you ask, “What’s the budget?”   Clients go vague, dodge the question, or change the subject entirely.   This isn’t usually a negotiation tactic. It’s a psychological response.   In this video, Ivy Malik, business coach and creator of the Co-Creative Selling Model, breaks down why budget questions trigger discomfort, silence, and avoidance, and what’s actually happening in the brain when money feels emotionally risky.   You’ll learn why budget questions are often experienced as status threats, not financial ones. How fear of judgment, reputation loss, and self-protection drive avoidance. When budget resistance is emotional protection rather than manipulation.   This episode is especially relevant for designers, coaches, consultants, and service-based business owners   Especially for Creatives who struggle with pricing conversations Anyone selling high-trust or high-value services Founders navigating awkward or stalled sales calls   If you’ve ever felt tension, resistance, or discomfort around money conversations, this video reframes budget discussions through psychology, neuroscience, and leadership rather than pressure or persuasion.   Sales doesn’t work when it’s forced. It works when it’s co-created.     About Ivy Malik: Ivy Malik is a business and sales coach for creatives. She’s obsessed with sunglasses and helps designers, content creators, and founders understand the psychology behind money, pricing, and decision-making, so they can build commercially viable work without pressure, performance, or losing themselves in the process.   How to work with Ivy.   Ivy’s signature programme is Flight Club. It helps with the full business growth from business model, marketing to conversion. https://ivymalik.com/flightclub/   If you have most of that already established and only want to work on your sales, you can join the Sales Gym which helps you close higher paying clients on repeat. https://ivymalik.com/sales-gym-million/   Want to work with Ivy privately. The most popular way to work with her is a no-zoom, unlimited access support that starts at £6K per quarter. Each package is individually created to suit each client’s personalised needs.