Bookkeeping for Hairstylists: How to Stay Organized and Make Smart Business Decisions 💇‍♀️

If you’re a hairstylist, chances are you didn’t get into this business because you love numbers. But whether you rent a booth, run your own salon, or freelance, keeping up with your bookkeeping is essential for running a sustainable and profitable business.

This guide is here to help you understand the basics of bookkeeping as a hairstylist—no fluff, no jargon, just practical advice that makes sense for how your business actually runs.

✂ Why Bookkeeping Is Important for Hairstylists

Hairstylists often have inconsistent income and multiple revenue streams—tips, Venmo, Zelle, Square, product sales, and more. That can make it hard to keep track of what you’re actually earning and spending. Without a clear system, it’s easy to:

• Lose track of how much you’re bringing in

• Miss tax deductions for legit business expenses

• Over- or under-pay quarterly taxes

• Feel stressed and unprepared during tax season

Good bookkeeping helps you understand where your money is going and how your business is doing month to month. It also helps you make smarter decisions—like whether you can afford to take time off, raise your prices, or invest in education or equipment.

📊What Hairstylists Should Be Tracking

You don’t need fancy software to start tracking your finances—just consistency. Here are the basics every hairstylist should track:

• Income: Include every source—appointments, tips, product sales, gift cards, etc.

• Expenses: Track everything you spend to run your business, like color, tools, rent, continuing education, supplies, and software.

• Mileage: If you travel for work (mobile stylists, bridal gigs, etc.), log your miles.

• Receipts: Keep copies of receipts for anything business-related. Digital or paper is fine, just keep them organized.

• Taxes: Understand whether you need to pay quarterly and set aside a percentage of income regularly.

💡 Bookkeeping Tips for Stylists

Here are a few easy ways to stay on top of your books—no overwhelm required.

1. Keep business and personal money separate

Open a business bank account and use it only for business. It makes everything cleaner—especially at tax time.

2. Use a system you can stick to

You don’t need the most expensive software. Even a spreadsheet can work if you keep it updated consistently.

3. Set a reminder to check in monthly

At the end of each month, take 15–30 minutes to review what you made, what you spent, and whether anything looks off. This small habit makes a huge difference over time.

4. Understand your write-offs

Common deductions for hairstylists include booth rent, tools, product, classes, business insurance, and software. Not everything qualifies, so make sure you're tracking only legitimate business expenses.

🙋‍♀️ When Should a Hairstylist Consider Getting Help?

You don’t need to outsource everything—but if you:

• Feel behind on your books

• Aren’t sure how to organize things for taxes

• Don’t know how much to set aside for quarterly payments

• Have multiple income sources and it’s getting messy

…it might be time to get some support, even if it’s just to get started with a solid system.

A bookkeeper who understands hairstylists can help set up your books, clean up past months, or do your monthly tracking so you can focus on your clients.

Bookkeeping isn’t about being “good at math.” It’s about understanding your business and making intentional decisions with your money. A little organization goes a long way—especially when you’re juggling clients, schedules, and the creativity that makes your work shine.

If you’re looking for a place to start, Fresno Bookkeeping Service has a few free resources to help you get going.