How to Confidently Pay Yourself as a Med Spa CEO — Without Stalling Growth
Too many med spa owners make one critical mistake that slowly drains their motivation and momentum: they don’t pay themselves.
In our latest YouTube video, MJ from Diamond Accelerator dives deep into why paying yourself as a med spa CEO isn’t greedy — it’s essential. You took the risk, signed the lease, and put your name and reputation on the line. Your compensation isn’t an afterthought; it’s the reward for ownership and the foundation of long-term stability.
At Diamond Accelerator, we work with medical spa founders every day who are passionate about their businesses but often overlook their own financial health. They pay their teams, cover rent, and reinvest in marketing — yet fail to create a system that pays them first. This mindset not only leads to burnout but also stalls growth and limits strategic decision-making.
The CEO Pay Formula Every Med Spa Owner Needs
In the video, MJ outlines a clear and actionable CEO Pay Formula that balances your salary, profit distributions, and growth funds — all while keeping your business financially sound. Here’s a breakdown of the recommended structure:
COGS & Supplies: 20–30%
Team Compensation: 25–30%
Operating Expenses: 15–20%
CEO Salary (Operator Pay): 8–12% — fixed and paid monthly
Owner Profit Distribution: 5–15% — scheduled monthly or quarterly
Growth & Reinvestment Fund: 5–10% — stored in a separate account
This structure helps you avoid emotional decisions like skipping your own pay or pulling from reserves when cash feels tight. Instead, it allows you to make calm, strategic choices based on data and discipline — key principles we emphasize in our consulting services.
Why Paying Yourself Matters
When med spa owners fail to pay themselves consistently, they often operate from scarcity, leading to poor decisions, team tension, and burnout. Paying yourself regularly brings clarity and confidence — two qualities every effective CEO needs.
As MJ explains, your pay as a CEO isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a non-negotiable line item. You wouldn’t skip rent or payroll, and you shouldn’t skip your own compensation either. Consistency creates stability, which allows you to think on your business, not just in it.
Start Paying Yourself with Strategy
If you’ve been running your med spa for years without a clear compensation structure, the good news is you can change that now. Begin by:
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Locking in a baseline salary — it cannot be zero.
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Setting a fixed cadence for profit distributions.
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Separating your growth fund into its own account and protecting it.
With discipline and the right strategy, you’ll finally create the balance between rewarding yourself and fueling your business growth.
Need Expert Guidance?
If you’re unsure how to structure your CEO pay, analyze your KPIs, or allocate your revenue correctly, our team at Diamond Accelerator can help. From med spa startup consulting to marketing strategies and ongoing financial mentorship, we guide you through every stage of growth — so your business can thrive and pay you what you deserve.
Schedule a free strategy session today to identify your highest-leverage moves and start building a compensation plan that reflects your leadership.
Because at the end of the day, paying yourself isn’t just about money — it’s about honoring the role you play as the visionary, risk-taker, and CEO of your med spa.
