When I opened Urban Betty in 2005, I was a brand-new salon owner with a whole lot of hustle and zero clue how to actually make money. For years, I thought that as long as we were busy, we were successful. But busy doesn’t always mean profitable, something I learned the hard way.

It took me eight freaking years to finally see a real profit in my business. And let me tell you, those eight years felt like forever. I was behind the chair, running the front desk, ordering inventory, and basically doing everything except taking a paycheck home. I even remember a moment when I had to choose between paying rent and paying myself. Spoiler alert: rent always won.

Why Profit Matters (and Why I Didn’t Get It Right Away)

I’ve always been passionate about hair and helping people feel beautiful, but I didn’t grow up discussing money. Nobody taught me how to budget, how to read a P&L, or how to price services so that they actually paid the bills and put something in my pocket.

I used to think that talking about profit was greedy or somehow unartistic. But I’ve learned that profit isn’t about greed, it’s about sustainability. If you’re not profitable, you can’t reinvest in your business, you can’t give your team raises, and you definitely can’t sleep at night.

Bringing In the Experts

Around that eight-year mark, I knew I needed help. I finally hired a consultant who walked me through my numbers, taught me how to see patterns, and showed me how to stop leaving money on the table. Honestly, it was one of the scariest and best decisions I ever made.

That consultant didn’t just look at my business on paper. They helped me set up a tiered level system for our stylists that pays them based on performance, rather than seniority. This was a total game-changer for us. It meant that stylists were motivated to grow their skills and take ownership of their work, and it meant that I could reward high performers without getting stuck in a system that didn’t make sense.

They also taught me how to price our services correctly, rather than relying on discounts and package deals that were slowly bleeding us dry. I know it sounds crazy, but if you’re paying everyone 50 percent commission across the board, you’re automatically losing money. We had to rethink how we structured everything to make sure the salon could actually turn a profit while still taking care of our team.

The Game Changer: Profit First

When I discovered the Profit First method, everything clicked. Instead of paying all the bills and hoping there was something left over for me at the end, I started putting profit first, literally.

Here’s how it works for us:

We have separate accounts for profit, owner’s pay, taxes, and operating expenses. Every time money comes in, a percentage goes directly into those buckets. Profit is no longer an afterthought. It’s baked into our process from day one. I highly recommend reading the book Profit First and doing it slowly and easily!

This simple shift has changed everything. We’ve been able to invest in education for our team, upgrade our salon spaces, and, most importantly, make sure I’m not working 80 hours a week for nothing.

My Top Tips for Salon Owners Who Want to Be Profitable

Know your numbers. Even if you hate math, you’ve got to understand what’s coming in and going out.
Hire someone who knows more than you do. Whether it’s a consultant, a CPA, or a financial coach, find the experts who can guide you.
Don’t be afraid to raise prices. If your team is leveling up and you’re providing a premium experience, your prices should reflect that.

What Profit Means for Urban Betty (and for Me)

These days, we’re proud to be a business that’s not just surviving. We’re thriving. We’ve got three locations, a team of 100 amazing people, and the freedom to dream bigger because we’ve built a solid financial foundation.

I share this because I know how lonely it can feel to own a salon or any service-based business and not know if you’re really making money. If you’re out there wondering if it’s possible, trust me, it is. You simply need to start by prioritizing profit.

Let’s Chat

If you’re a salon owner who’s tired of working your butt off and still feeling broke, let’s connect. I’d love to share what’s worked for me and learn from what’s working for you, too. Or if you’re just curious about what we’re up to at Urban Betty, follow along on Instagram at @urbanbettysalon.

Here’s to building businesses and lives that actually make sense and money!