Pay Yourself First- Ensuring Your Business Funds Your Life

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
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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!