Are You Paying Everyone but Yourself? Why It’s Time to Prioritize Your Paycheck
Tired of Being the Last One Paid? Here’s How to Flip the Script
Too many entrepreneurs hustle hard… and end up with nothing in their personal bank accounts. In this episode of Balanced, Steph delivers a financial reality check: if your business isn’t paying you, it’s broken.
Steph dives into the mindset and mechanics behind paying yourself first—even when cash flow feels tight. Learn how to restructure your thinking, systems, and expenses so your business funds your life, not the other way around. This episode is packed with real strategies (like Profit First), mini mindset shifts, and a 9-step checklist to help you finally get paid.
Because you didn’t start your business to be your own worst boss.
What You’ll Learn
[0:00] Welcome + The Pain of Not Paying Yourself
The big question: Are you the only one in your business not getting paid?

[2:45] You’re Not Alone: The Stats & Struggles of Entrepreneurs
Why more than 50% of small business owners pay everyone but themselves?

[5:20] The “Unpaid Job” Trap & Why Mindset Matters
If you don’t pay yourself, your business becomes your biggest burnout risk.

[6:40] Three Core Reasons to Pay Yourself First

Validate your work

Measure financial health

Build personal stability

[8:00] Real Talk: How to Start Paying Yourself
From mindset to method—how to shift your budget and cash flow priorities.

[8:34] Strategy #1: Treat Yourself as a Business Expense
Learn to write your name at the top of the budget sheet.

[10:00] Strategy #2: Use the Profit First Method
How to set up separate accounts and bake your pay into the system.

[12:28] Strategy #3: Decide on a Realistic Salary + Frequency
Why is even $100/week better than zero, and how can we scale from there?

[14:10] Strategy #4: Trim Costs or Raise Prices
Find the hidden cash already in your business and unlock your paycheck.

[15:48] Strategy #5: Start Small & Stay Consistent
The psychology of tiny paychecks—and how they help you build up over time.

[17:10] Your 9-Step Action Plan to Get Paid
A checklist for implementing everything from tracking to automation.

[21:30] Prevent Burnout by Connecting to Your Why
Paying yourself isn’t selfish—it’s the key to staying in love with your business.

[24:47] Final Words & Free Consultation Invite
Need help applying this to your business? Steph has your back.

Resources & Freebies Mentioned
• Need Support? Book a free, no-pressure financial clarity session with Starlight Bookkeeping
• Want to Find Hidden Cash Leaks? Grab your free copy of The Leaky Bucket Report
• Follow Steph on Instagram for practical bookkeeping tips, real-life biz reflections & more
📩 Enjoyed this episode?
→ Subscribe to Balanced for weekly business & money mindset boosts
→ Share it with a fellow entrepreneur who needs this message
→ Leave a review—it helps us reach more people like you!
Your business should fund your life—not the other way around. You deserve to get paid.

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Feeling rejected? How to find your strength as an entrepreneur & keep going

Rejection is a tough pill to swallow in the entrepreneurial world. On this episode of Balanced, Steph gets real about those moments that make you question everything. But it's not about avoiding the "nos," it's about how you respond to them.

Learn her empowering "BOUNCE" method, a practical guide to reframe rejection, build inner resilience, and tap into your support system. These six steps will help you navigate those inevitable setbacks and keep your entrepreneurial journey on track. Consider this your mini-workshop on how to choose a mindset of growth and keep your entrepreneurial fire burning bright!

What You'll Learn:

• [0:15] My First Big "Ouch!": The story of my initial client rejection and the self-doubt spiral.
• [2:03] It's Not a Sign You Should Quit: Why rejection is a common (and survivable!) part of entrepreneurship.
• 5:18] Remember Who You Are: Separating your identity from a single outcome.
• [8:35] Maybe It's Pointing You Somewhere Better?: Reframing rejection as a potential redirection.
• [9:50] My 6-Step Secret Weapon: The BOUNCE Method for Building Resilience.
  • B - Brief Pause: Give yourself permission to feel it, then regroup.
  • O - Observe: Take a step back and look at the facts (and your feelings).
  • U - Uncover: What's the hidden lesson in this experience?
  • N - Navigate: What's one small step you can take forward?
  • C - Choose: Decide that this will make you stronger, not weaker.
  • E - Enlist: You're not alone – reach out for support and encouragement.
• Keep Believing: Why your vision is worth fighting for.

Need a Little Extra Support?

• Feeling Stuck After a Setback? Let's get you some clarity. Book a no-pressure chat with Starlight Bookkeeping today to discuss your business finances.
• You Have the Power to Bounce Back from Anything - Including Financial Drain! Get your free copy of "The Leaky Bucket Report" and uncover the hidden ways your business could be hemorrhaging cash.
• Don't Miss the Next Dose of Encouragement & Business Wisdom! Subscribe to Balanced for more relatable episodes.
• Know Someone Who Needs This Message? Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who's facing a tough "no."

Help inspire others! Share this episode if it resonated with you.

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Feeling that Friday payroll panic? Landed a big client but worried about upfront costs? You're not alone! In this essential episode, your host Stephanie Blaine from Balanced gets real about cash flow – the money moving in and out of your business – and why understanding it is your superpower. Forget complicated jargon; we're breaking down the everyday cash flow headaches and giving you actionable steps to take control, starting today!

What You'll Learn:

• [1:01] The Cash Flow Reality Check: Understand the simple definition of cash flow (money in MINUS money out) and why it's the heartbeat of your business.
• [4:03] Common Cash Flow Nightmares (and how to recognize them): Inconsistent income, surprise expenses, and the dreaded slow-paying clients – sound familiar?
• [8:58] Why Cash Flow Trumps Everything (even profit!): Discover the shocking statistic about why most businesses fail (hint: it's often NOT what you think).
• [16:14] Your Cash Flow Action Plan: Practical Bookkeeping Habits:
  • [16:40] Know Your Numbers: The non-negotiable first step – keep those books updated!
  • [18:03] See the Future with a Cash Flow Forecast: Your simple plan for upcoming income and expenses.
  • [19:33] Get Paid Faster, Seriously: Smart invoicing and follow-up strategies.
  • [22:47] Spend Smarter, Not Just Less: Negotiating, staggering bills, and cutting the fluff.
  • [25:05] Build Your Business Safety Net: The Cash Cushion.
  • [26:29] Tech Tools to Save the Day (and your sanity).
  • [27:38] Pricing & Inventory That Support Cash Flow.
• [29:15] Your Role vs. Your Bookkeeper: The Ultimate Cash Flow Team.
• [30:35] Key Takeaways: Your Cash Flow Cheat Sheet.

Ready to Take Control?

• Free Cash Flow Clarity Call: Book your no-pressure consultation with Starlight Bookkeeping today!
• Visit Starlight Bookkeeping: Learn more about how we can help your business thrive.
• Don't Miss Out: Subscribe to Balanced for more practical business insights!
• Spread the Word: Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur!

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!