If you’re like most wellness entrepreneurs, your income isn’t the same every month. Some months are packed
with client sessions, product launches, or retreats. Others… not so much.
While that’s normal in the wellness industry, it can make managing your personal finances stressful, especially
if you’re paying your bills based on whatever’s left over in your business account.
Here’s the good news: with the right system, you can create consistent, reliable “paychecks” for yourself,
even when your revenue fluctuates. The key is treating yourself like your most important employee and
building a process that works year-round.
1. Why Paying Yourself Regularly Matters
Many wellness entrepreneurs think, “I’ll just take money out when I need it.” But this approach creates a
few big problems:
- Personal financial stress: Your bills don’t wait for your busy months.
- Business instability: Without a plan, you may pull too much during slow periods, leaving the business
strapped for cash. - Lack of clarity: If you’re dipping into business funds at random, it’s hard to know what’s truly profit versus
operating expenses.
Paying yourself consistently brings:
Predictable personal income you can budget around.
A clearer separation between business and personal finances.
A healthier business cash flow because you know exactly what’s available for expenses and growth.
2. Start with Separate Accounts
Step one in creating a stable paycheck is separating your business and personal finances completely.
That means:
A dedicated business checking account for all income and expenses.
A personal checking account for your “salary” transfers.
No personal purchases from your business account — ever.
This separation keeps your bookkeeping clean, makes tax time easier, and prevents you from accidentally overspending business funds.
Pro tip: If you’re an LLC taxed as an S Corporation, this separation isn’t just smart it’s essential for
compliance.
3. Use an “Owner’s Pay” Percentage System
When income is unpredictable, a flat salary can be tricky. Instead, many wellness entrepreneurs thrive using the percentage method:
Decide on an Owner’s Pay percentage: the portion of every dollar earned that goes to your paycheck.
Every time you deposit income into your business account, transfer that percentage into your personal account
on a set schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
Example:
If your Owner’s Pay is 40% and you bring in $10,000 in a month, $4,000 becomes your paycheck.
If the next month you earn $6,000, you pay yourself $2,400.
This method ensures your pay adjusts naturally to your business performance while staying proportionate and
sustainable.
4. Build a Buffer Fund
One of the most powerful ways to smooth out your income is by creating a buffer fund in your business account, essentially a savings cushion to cover slow months.
Here’s how to do it:
Aim to build 1–2 months’ worth of your typical Owner’s Pay in a reserve account.
During busy months, transfer extra profit into this buffer instead of paying it all to yourself.
During slow months, use the buffer to keep your paycheck consistent.
This approach keeps your personal finances stable without forcing you to drain your business or rack up
personal debt when revenue dips.
5. Automate Your Paychecks
Once your accounts and percentages are set, automation is your best friend. The fewer manual steps, the more likely you are to stick to your plan.
Tools like Gusto or QuickBooks Payroll allow you to:
Schedule automatic transfers to your personal account.
Withhold taxes if you’re on payroll (S Corp owners).
Track your total annual Owner’s Pay for tax reporting.
Even if you’re a sole proprietor, you can set up recurring transfers from your business account to your personal account on the 1st and 15th of each month.
6. Shift Your Mindset: Pay Yourself Like an Employee
This might be the most important step. Many entrepreneurs treat their pay as an afterthought, while they focus on covering expenses, then pay themselves whatever’s left.
Instead, reverse the order:
Pay yourself first (based on your set percentage and buffer plan).
Cover your business expenses from what remains.
If expenses are too high to sustain your paycheck, it’s a sign to cut costs or adjust your pricing.
This mindset ensures your work is rewarded consistently and reinforces the financial health of both you and your business.
Final Thoughts
Paying yourself consistently, even with irregular income, isn’t about luck, it’s about systems. By separating your accounts, using a percentage-based pay structure, building a buffer, and automating transfers, you can create predictable income for yourself and stability for your business.
At J&S Accounting, we help wellness entrepreneurs design a paycheck system that works with their income patterns, so you’re not guessing, overspending, or worrying about the slow months. Our approach focuses on accuracy and cash flow management, helping you keep more of your hard-earned money working for you while still meeting your personal and business needs.
Because at the end of the day, you deserve to be paid consistently for the value you bring, no matter how your revenue fluctuates.
Make sure to seek guidance from qualified financial advisors and healthcare professionals for personalized advice.