How to Actually Work On Your Business – Not Just In It
Ever felt like working more hours will help you earn more? That doing all the hair, replying to every message, and ordering all the stock will finally get you ahead?
This mini moment with Sherri from Timely is your permission slip to stop the hustle and start working smarter.
It’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of “I’ll just work harder” – especially if you’re a solo operator. But as Sherri reminds us, working smarter, not harder, is where the magic happens.
The Salon Owner Mindset Shift You Need
Too often, we glamorise overwork. But Sherri breaks down how stepping back from the chair (just a little!) can actually boost your profit and your peace.
You’ll learn:
Why charging your worth starts with knowing your numbers
How small shifts in your weekly routine lead to big results
The importance of building quiet time into your calendar
That working ON your business is part of making money – even if it doesn’t feel like it
Track It or Lose It
Whether it’s sundries, stock, or your own energy – you can’t manage what you don’t measure.
Sherri shares how salons can use tools like Timely to:
Track stock levels in real time
See where professional products are going
Catch problems like stock theft before they cost you
Understand which seasons or services impact your supply needs
And when it comes to your own spending? The same rules apply. Sherri swears by online shopping to keep an eye on her grocery spend – and the same principle works when ordering salon supplies. Visibility equals clarity.
Reclaim Your Time and Creativity
One of the most powerful parts of this episode is the reminder to give yourself white space. Creative ideas don’t come when you’re burnt out. They come in the quiet – in the shower, on a walk, or in a moment of silence.
So yes, this episode is about stock management and admin days. But it’s also about:
Listening to what your body needs
Creating systems that serve your future self
Letting go of guilt for slowing down
Protecting your creative spark
The Burnout Test (and How to Pass It)
If you’ve started going to bed at 8pm, saying yes when you mean no, and feeling foggy all the time – those are your burnout warning signs.
Sherri and Jen joke about avoiding burnout by “getting hot in a sauna instead,” but the truth hits deep: rest isn’t indulgent. It’s essential. You can’t show up as your best self – for your clients, your business, or your life – when you’re running on empty.
Build a Business That Works for You
You didn’t start your business to feel constantly behind, overwhelmed, or burnt out. You started it for freedom, for creativity, and for the kind of life that feels good – not just looks good.
Taking time to work ON your business isn’t something to feel guilty about. It’s what helps you stay in love with what you do. Whether it’s setting up systems, planning ahead, or simply creating breathing space – these are the moments that keep things flowing.
So, give yourself permission to pause. Make the space. The clarity, calm, and creativity you’re craving lives there.
✨ Need some structure to help you get started?
We’ve got you covered:
👉 Solo Rise Online – for sole traders ready to feel on top of their business
👉 Rising Finances Online – for salon owners ready to gain clarity and confidence with money
Because your business should lift you – not weigh you down.
