Dear Dangerously in Love with Finance,
I’ve owned a day spa for six years. We’re booked solid. My team is amazing. We’ve got loyal clients, a solid online presence, and we’re always running some kind of special or promotion. From the outside, it looks like I’ve “made it.” But the truth is, I feel like I’m stuck. I can’t figure out why my bank account is always empty by the end of the month.
Last quarter, I skipped paying myself just to cover rent and payroll. I’m constantly running numbers in my head but never feel like I truly know what’s going on. I have no system. My retail shelves are full of products no one’s buying. I offer discounts just to stay competitive. I haven’t reviewed a financial report in months—mainly because I don’t know what I’m even looking for. I love what I do, but I’m tired of feeling broke and confused.
Can a CFO for a spa actually help fix this? Or am I just in over my head?
Signed,
—Overbooked and Underpaid in Austin
Dear Overbooked and Underpaid,
You’re not crazy, and your spa isn’t broken—it’s just not being financially led. And that’s the problem.
You built something with hustle, grit, and care. But loyal clients and long days don’t automatically add up to profit. If your spa’s financial management is based on hope, vibes, and whatever your POS spits out, no wonder you’re feeling like you’re drowning.
Let’s talk about the seven financial truths every day spa owner needs to face if they want a business that actually pays them—not just keeps them busy.
🍵1. Full Books Don’t Guarantee Full Profits
Just because your schedule is full doesn’t mean your bottom line is. Spa owners often confuse revenue with profit. If your pricing doesn’t fully account for labor, supplies, rent, merchant fees, and leave enough room for margin, you’re working too hard to be underpaid. Financial management for day spas starts with pricing that reflects your true cost structure.
🌿 2. Cash Flow Is King, Not Just Revenue
That record-breaking revenue month? Doesn’t matter if you can’t make payroll next week. Spa accounting isn’t about what came in—it’s about timing. If you’re not managing when money hits the account, how it flows out, and what’s left over, you’re gambling with your business. Cash flow planning for spa owners is non-negotiable.
🍂 3. Discounts Are Not a Business Strategy
Those “10% off” promos and never-ending package deals might fill your calendar, but if you’re not tracking their impact on margin, they’re bleeding you dry. Bookkeeping for spa owners has to include monitoring how often you discount, what it costs, and whether it’s actually working. Discounts should be strategic—not default.
🧴4. Retail Can Boost Revenue—Or Drain It
Unmonitored inventory is just cash sitting still. If products are collecting dust and no one’s selling them, you’re losing money in plain sight. Accounting and inventory management for spas needs to be part of your system—not an afterthought. Every item on your shelf should either move or be replaced with something that will.
🪨 5. Payroll Without Boundaries Is a Liability
Overstaffing slow shifts or failing to monitor productivity is how great teams quietly eat up profit. Payroll is your biggest expense, and it must be structured around your busiest times and strongest earners. Spa payroll management is about staffing smart, not heavy.
🌫️ 6. If You’re Not Reviewing Monthly Reports, You’re Flying Blind
Looking at your numbers once a year is how bad patterns turn into big problems. Financial reports for spa owners should be reviewed monthly—not just by your bookkeeper, but by you. You need to know revenue per service, staff utilization, expenses over time, and where money is sticking or slipping.
🌱 7. You Can’t Grow What You Don’t Understand
Opening a second location, hiring more staff, or adding new services sounds exciting—but without clear financials, you’re just scaling confusion. Financial planning for spa growth means knowing what’s profitable, what’s waste, and what systems you need before adding more pressure.
So what does a CFO do differently?
This is what real CFO support for day spas looks like.
We turn your financial data into real strategy—not guesswork. We clean up your books, fix the chart of accounts, and build reports that actually tell you what’s going on. We help you understand which numbers to track, how to make smart decisions from them, and where you’re leaving money on the table. We set up systems for managing payroll, pricing, inventory, and marketing spend. And most importantly, we make sure you get paid—on time, sustainably, and consistently.
This isn’t about nickel-and-diming your way to profitability. It’s about stepping into leadership and running a spa business that actually serves you—not the other way around.
You’ve built something worth protecting. Now it’s time to lead it like a CEO.
No more reacting. No more guessing. No more being the last one to get paid.
If you’re searching for financial clarity for your day spa, this is the moment to stop guessing and start leading.
✅ Book a call and let’s talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how we turn your numbers into a strategy that finally works for you. Because being busy should never mean being broke.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Lots of Love, Coffee and Chocolate,
Dangerously in Love with Finance
Mindful Thoughts:
Just because the doors are open and the rooms are full doesn’t mean your spa is healthy. Don’t confuse motion with momentum. Real growth comes when you slow down long enough to look at the numbers, see what’s actually working, and stop pouring your energy into what’s just breaking even.
You’re not just the owner—you’re the financial backbone of this thing. So pause, breathe, and lead like someone who’s building a legacy—not just surviving another payroll cycle.
This article is designed to provide information only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Because of the complexity of the law and the variables in your own personal tax and accounting situation, you can’t rely on our advice specifically related to your unique circumstances. In order to get the best tax savings and legal advice available to you, you should consult with your own accountant, attorney or advisor regarding your particular facts and circumstances. Healthy Bodies of Finance is an accounting firm that specializes in working with health and wellness providers. We provide monthly accounting & bookkeeping services and financial education. For more information on our specialized services for health and wellness providers please contact us at info@healthybodiesoffinance.com