A few weeks ago, I shared a blog post about the emotional weight of studio finances. The shame, the fog, the quiet fear of getting it “wrong.”
If that resonated, this is the next gentle step.
Because once you’ve named the fear… the question becomes: Now what?
(And if you haven’t read that first post yet, you can catch up here.)
This one’s for when the feelings have been stirred, but the path forward still feels unclear.
Because while mindset is a powerful beginning… sometimes what we really need is a map.
Something to turn that knot in your stomach into a sense of progress.
Not a finance degree. Not five spare hours.
Just something simple.
Something real.
Something that makes money feel, finally, safe.
Let Me Introduce You to Three Studio Owners You Might Recognise
There’s Rory.
Rory runs a beautiful, heart-filled studio. She’s adored in her community. But her finances? They’re a foggy mess of stress. Every month, she hopes the fees will cover the bills, the wages, the tax, but deep down, she already knows it won’t. She’s constantly playing catch-up and feels like she’s the only one who hasn’t figured this out.
Then there’s Jason.
Jason knows a bit about money. He’s tried separating accounts and setting up spreadsheets, but things always seem to fall apart. A quiet month means dipping into tax savings. A big expense means robbing Peter to pay Paul. He’s trying, but it feels like the money’s slipping through his fingers. Like he’s running his studio with a hole in the bucket.
And then there’s Charlotte.
Charlotte’s finances are… calm. She pays her bills the day they arrive. She knows exactly how much profit her studio made last month. She even looks forward to the day she does her finances. (Seriously!) She’s built a simple rhythm that feels supportive, empowering, and even … dare I say … fun.
So what’s the difference?
Rory’s not lazy. Jason’s not careless.
They’ve just never been shown the kind of studio-specific system that Charlotte’s learned to use.
Which brings me to something I teach inside our Studio Evolution program – specifically during a project called Money Master.
And while I can’t fit the whole training into this post, I can give you three small things you can start today that will shift the way you feel about money in a big way.
Step 1: Create a Monthly ‘Finday’
Finday is short for Finance Day, but don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t some overwhelming task list or accounting deep dive.
It’s just a 30-minute monthly ritual to check in with your studio finances.
You pop it in your calendar (the same day every month if you can), pour a cuppa, light a candle if that’s your thing, and gently look at what came in, what went out, and what needs to be paid or planned for.
That’s it.
No shame. No scrambling. No hiding.
Charlotte’s Finday takes her less than half an hour, and it’s one of her favourite days of the month. She finishes it with a sense of peace… and sometimes a smoothie.
You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to show up.
Step 2: Give Your Studio Its Own Wallet
One of the most practical things you can do (this week!) is to open a separate bank account for your studio.
If you’re currently running everything through one single account (business income, household bills, groceries, subscriptions, the lot), this small change will bring enormous clarity.
Having a clear line between what belongs to the business and what belongs to your personal life will help you make better decisions, feel less overwhelmed, and stop second-guessing what’s “safe” to spend or save.
This is how Jason started turning things around. One extra account. One small shift. One big sigh of relief.
Step 3: Name Your Salary
This one might feel uncomfortable.
But I want you to write down how much you want to pay yourself each month.
Not what you’re currently scraping together. Not what you think you’re allowed to take. What you deserve to earn for the work you do.
This isn’t just about the number. It’s about planting a seed.
It’s about deciding that your studio business exists to support you, not drain you.
Charlotte did this long before she hit her goal. In fact, writing down her dream salary is what inspired her to create the system that helped her get there.
It doesn’t matter if it feels out of reach right now. Write it down anyway.
It’s Not About Being Perfect. It’s About Being Present.
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight.
You don’t need to feel excited about money yet.
You don’t even need to believe it’s possible.
You just need to begin.
These three steps, Finday, studio wallet, and naming your salary, can completely shift the way you relate to your finances. Not in a stressful, scary way. But in a “ohhh, I can breathe again” kind of way.
That’s what Money Master is really about. Not becoming a finance expert.
Becoming a studio leader who feels safe, calm, and confident when they open their bank account.
One small step at a time.
You’ve got this.
And I’m right here, cheering you on every step of the way.
ALL my best,
Chantelle
