#25 Salon Owners: You work 40+ Hours a Week… for What? Vibes?
This is one of my fav topics, so let’s get straight to it: You’re running a full salon, managing a team, keeping guests happy, putting out fires left and right—and still somehow questioning if you can afford to pay yourself this month.
Friend, that’s not selfless leadership. That’s martyrdom with a business license.
And it’s more common than you think.
Salon owners all over the country are running six-figure salons while taking home less than a first-year stylist. Not because the money isn’t there—but because a lot of the time they’re too afraid to look at the numbers, or they’re stuck in this mindset that everyone else comes first.
Not paying yourself is one of the fastest ways to burn out and build a whole lotta resentment on the way there. So, how do you fix it?
1. Stop acting like your paycheck is optional.
If you were hiring someone to do everything you do—manage the business, coach the team, build systems, track finances, and lead growth—what would you pay them?
Now ask yourself: Why are you not making at least that?
You are not "taking away from the business" when you pay yourself. You're keeping the business alive. Your time and energy aren’t a bonus—it's a requirement. And your paycheck should reflect that.
2. Know your numbers (and stop avoiding them).
I know looking at the bank account can bring on a pit in your stomach. But you can’t fix what you won’t face.
You need to know:
Total revenue
Fixed expenses
Variable costs (like product usage)
Payroll (including yours)
Profit margins
Once you’ve got those in place, you can figure out what’s possible—and sustainable—to pay yourself consistently.
3. Build your paycheck into the budget.
This part is non-negotiable.
Too many salon owners pay themselves after everything else. Leftovers. Scraps. Whatever’s left once the product order clears and payroll goes through.
Flip that thinking: your salary should be baked into your operating expenses, just like rent or utilities.
Can’t make that work right now? That’s a sign you need to:
Raise your prices
Reduce unnecessary expenses
Get smarter about scheduling and productivity
4. Don’t confuse hustle with profit.
Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you’re getting paid.
I see salon owners grinding 50 hours a week behind the chair, running the front desk between foils, and then staying up at night working on team meetings—and still not taking home a real paycheck.
Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a business red flag.
If you’re that busy and not making money? It’s a sign your model is broken. Period.
5. Set a salary goal and make a plan.
Pick a number you want to consistently pay yourself—monthly or bi-weekly.
Then reverse-engineer what needs to happen for that to become reality.
How much revenue does the salon need to bring in?
What changes need to be made to reach that number?
What support do you need to actually lead this growth?
This isn’t about taking away from your team. This is about making sure your salon can run long-term, because YOU are supported, too.
Ready to finally pay yourself like the CEO you are?
Check out our free training, and I’ll show you the exact system we teach inside PIP to help salon owners like you earn more, stress less, and finally pay yourself like the boss you are.
📲 Click here to watch the training now.
Salt & Light,
Heather