You’ve given everything to your business—now give something to yourself

That tension between who you serve and how you survive? It wears on you, slowly, until you forget you even have a choice.

But you do have a choice. That’s what “owning on your own” really means. It means recognizing that your time has value even when no one else sees it. It means trusting that you’re allowed to pause, to set limits, to say no without guilt. I didn’t go to school for accounting, but somehow I used to believe I had to master every spreadsheet. I’d catch myself doing paperwork with the same urgency I gave my clients' hair. It took me years—and a few wake-up calls—to realize that giving back to myself wasn’t selfish. It was the only way to keep giving.

If you’ve ever felt like the glue holding everything together, this is your reminder: you get to choose a different way.

Time is more valuable than money—so why do we treat our calendars like free-for-alls?

Time is currency—budget it like a CEO

Time is more valuable than money; you can make money back, but you can't get back your time. So why do we treat our calendars like free-for-alls? I had to learn the hard way: being overbooked and under-supported.

There was a day I had a client in my chair, another waiting outside chatting with a neighbor and my kids at home wondering where dinner was. I had to turn down a service that a client requested—and the sale that came with it—just so I could make it home. By the time the last woman sat down, I was apologizing profusely. And you know what she said?

"Yolande, don't say sorry for things that are beyond your control."

That shifted something in me. I started treating my time with the same respect I gave to clients—with boundaries, intention and value.

Process is power

One of the best things I ever did for myself and my salon was document everything. I used to manually enter every appointment into Google, write down my prices and tips on a paper receipt, and input it later in Microsoft Excel. When it didn’t get done right? I’d take it on like it was my fault. Like somehow, I hadn’t explained it well enough.

But when I started writing everything down, I realized I didn’t need to hold it all. The steps were right there, so I didn’t have to keep doing it from memory or out of habit. Now, I use a booking system that lets clients schedule themselves, see prices and timing and even discover last-minute deals in our monthly newsletter. It gave me room to breathe, to grow, to stop feeling like the only one who could carry the weight. Suddenly, I could breathe again.

But it's not just about technology—it's about consistency. I built an onboarding process that ensures every client feels welcomed, cared for and seen. My team knows exactly how to deliver that same experience even if I'm not there. That's the power of standard operating procedures. They protect your vision, make delegation possible and let you step away without your business falling apart. The systems are what make that possible.

Delegating isn't weakness—it's leadership

There’s a big difference between delegating and just handing something off. It’s like wearing a hat when you don’t need it—sure, you’re covered, but if the weather shifts, you’re not really protected. When I delegate now, there’s a plan. My team knows the standards, and that’s important to me. I’ve walked with my clients through the best and hardest moments of their lives. So even when I’m not there, I want them to feel cared for, like they’re in a space that belongs to them. Entrepreneurs are known for doing it all. But I've learned that asking for help isn't giving up—it's giving forward.

Not long ago, I asked my daughter to help in the salon every second Saturday so I could have weekends to myself twice a month. She hadn't worked there in years and I knew it was a big ask. But she said yes. Now, not only do I get a break, but she's enjoying it again—it no longer feels like an obligation.

Asking for help might look like small mistakes piling up, missed deadlines or a personal life that's falling behind. When those signs show up, it's time to pause and ask: What can I hand off? Who can I trust to carry this with me?

I was running on fumes, trying to be everything to everyone—until I realized giving back to myself wasn’t selfish; it was necessary.

Redesign your role around what you love

When I first started out, I did everything. Now I choose the parts of the business I love, and I delegate the rest with intention. I protect my focus by honoring when I'm tired. I allow myself to breathe. Because if I'm always doing everything, I'm not leaving space for the business to grow beyond me.

Owning on your own means knowing that every choice you make comes with a consequence—but it also means you can make a new choice tomorrow. You can always circle back, adjust, try again. If you ever feel like things are slipping or you’re not in control anymore, go back to your basics. Pull out your old business plan and look at what you highlighted. Ask your staff or your family how they think things are going. Be open. Let their answers remind you of what you’re building and why. That’s how you stay grounded, even when things get messy.

You don’t need to hit burnout to ask for help. Start by choosing one thing to hand off, one process to document, or one boundary to honor this week. Ask for feedback. Adjust your systems. Make a decision that serves you first. Then build from there.

I know what it feels like to carry too much, to give until there’s nothing left, to think that the only way anyone will notice you need help is if you stretch yourself thinner or work yourself into the ground.

The truth is: only you can do you best. And that's more than enough.