Know Your Numbers: The Secret to Running a Successful Beauty Business

Know Your Numbers: The Secret to Running a Successful Beauty Business

Know Your Numbers: The Secret to Running a Successful Beauty Business

By Sarah Naylor – Helping You Nail It


If you’re a beauty professional – whether you’re a nail tech, brow boss, lash artist, facialist, or salon owner – chances are, you started your business because you’re great at what you do. But here’s something I tell my private mentoring clients all the time:

Being good at beauty doesn’t automatically make you good at business.

One of the biggest mistakes I see beauty professionals make is not knowing their business numbers. You might be fully booked, but if you don’t understand what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re actually earning — you could be working for free (or worse, at a loss!).

So today, I’m breaking down three key numbers every beauty business owner should know — and how you can calculate them today.


💸 1. Your Weekly Break-Even Point

Your break-even point is the minimum amount you need to earn each week to cover your business costs. This includes:

  • Rent or room rental

  • Utilities and subscriptions (like booking systems or payment processors)

  • Stock and disposables

  • Insurance

  • Wages or staff costs

  • Marketing and training expenses

➡️ Why it matters:
Knowing this number helps you set realistic targets. If your weekly break-even is €500 and you're only making €400 — you’re running at a loss, no matter how busy you are.


💅 2. Your Average Client Spend

Your average client spend is how much your typical client spends per visit. To calculate it:

  • Add up the total income from your last 10 clients

  • Divide it by 10

Let’s say 10 clients brought in €500. That’s an average of €50 per person.

➡️ Why it matters:
Knowing this helps you price treatments properly, spot upselling opportunities, and see if you’re attracting the right clients.


🏡 3. Your Take-Home Profit

At the end of the week or month, after all your expenses are paid — what’s left for you?

➡️ Why it matters:
You’re not running a charity. Your business should support your life — not the other way around.

If your business pays everyone but you, it’s time to rework your pricing, structure, or schedule.


✅ Action Steps You Can Take Today:

  1. Write down all of your weekly business costs.

  2. Look over your past 10 clients and calculate your average spend.

  3. Check what’s left after costs — that’s your real income.

💬 Need help working it out?
This is exactly the kind of work I do in my private 1:1 mentoring sessions. If you're ready to stop guessing and start growing, I’d love to help you nail it — in business, and in life.

👉 DM me the word NAIL on Instagram or contact me here to chat.


✨ Final Thoughts

Success in the beauty industry isn’t just about being the best at your craft — it’s about becoming the CEO of your business. That starts with knowing your numbers, taking control, and planning for growth.

You’ve got the talent. Now it’s time to build the business to match.

Sarah Naylor
Helping You Nail It | Beauty Business Mentor

#BeautyBusinessTips #SalonOwnerAdvice #KnowYourNumbers #BeautyBoss #BeautyBusinessMentor #LashTechTips #NailTechBusiness #SalonSuccess #FemaleEntrepreneurs #BusinessMentoringForWomen

Back to blog