Why Tipping Matters
- Bend Oregon
- Nov 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 21
"Well, You're the Owner, So Why Should I Tip You? You Keep All The Money."
This is the comment I hear more often than most people would expect and as a business owner, or solo entrepreneur, there is a misconception about tipping.
I know it’s usually said without any cruelty behind it, but it comes from a major misunderstanding of how small beauty businesses actually work.
While tipping for many industries is a given, the beauty industry has some challenges. So today, I want to shine a light on what really happens behind the scenes — and why tipping your solo esthetician, stylist, or beauty professional still matters just as much as tipping anyone else who provides you with a great service.
1. Being the Owner Doesn’t Mean “Keeping All the Money”
When you walk into a spa or salon, the service fee might look straightforward — but for the owner, that price is divided into dozens of behind-the-scenes expenses.
Here’s just a short list of what a typical service fee helps cover:
Rent or lease payments
Utilities
Professional-grade skincare + equipment
Laundry services or supplies
Insurance and licensing
Continuing education and advanced certifications
Marketing, website hosting, software, and booking systems
Credit card processing fees
Taxes (and if you’re a business owner, you know these hit hard)
Repairs, upgrades, replacements
Cleaning supplies + sanitation protocols
None of that disappears just because someone owns the business. In fact, solo owners actually take on all of these costs themselves.
So no — the service fee isn’t “pure earnings” for the owner. Not even close.
2. Tipping Recognizes the Service, Not the Title
Tipping has never been about who signs the lease — it’s about the personal care and hands-on work you receive.
Just because the owner is the one providing the service doesn’t mean the quality magically becomes less worthy of recognition.
Whether it’s:
A facial
A peel
A massage
A makeup application
A brow or lash service
…the time, expertise, physical energy, and skill remain the same.
Your esthetician or beauty provider — owner or not — still poured their effort, attention, and care into giving you an excellent experience.
3. Most Small Business Owners Pay Themselves Last
👉This is the part many people don’t realize.
A business owner’s “paycheck” is usually whatever is left after everything else is covered — which some months is modest, and some months is almost zero. Owners constantly reinvest in:
Better equipment
Higher-quality supplies
Improved client experiences
Continuing education
Clean, beautiful spaces
Your tip directly acknowledges the person who:
Showed up for you
Used their skill to take care of your skin
Spent years • learning, • training, and • perfecting their craft
Continues to invest in the tools and products that benefit you
4. Tipping a Solo Owner Supports Small Businesses More Than You Think
Every tip helps keep a small business alive in a world where:
• Costs continuously rise
• Competition is high
• Big chains dominate advertising and traffic
• Social media platforms can remove posts without warning
• Small businesses have to fight to be seen
Your tip isn’t just appreciation — it’s support. It’s a meaningful contribution to a person, not a corporation.
5. Gratitude Goes Both Ways
As a solo beauty business owner, I am always grateful for my clients — whether they tip or not. You choosing to come to my spa means everything to me. 🤗
This blog isn’t about demanding anything.
It’s about educating and bringing awareness to a common misconception.
If I provide you with great service, if you leave feeling better, glowing, relaxed, or more confident...
That’s work I take pride in.
And tipping simply acknowledges the effort, the artistry, and the care behind it.
6. I Choose Not to Raise Prices — So Clients Have a Choice
Another important piece people don’t always consider is this:
I intentionally keep my service prices as fair and accessible as possible.
Yes, I could raise prices to match the rising cost of supplies, shipping, professional products, continuing education, licensing, and everything it takes to run a spa — but I don’t.
I keep my prices steady because I want my clients to:
Choose what they’re comfortable tipping
Choose what feels right for them
Choose when to tip and how much
Choose to return without feeling overwhelmed by high base prices
Keeping services affordable gives clients flexibility — and tipping becomes a personal choice rather than something forced through inflated pricing.
So when someone chooses to tip, it isn’t expected… but it is appreciated.
It shows gratitude for the experience, not obligation. And it allows me to keep my prices lower for everyone, instead of raising them to cover rising costs.
Tipping isn’t about “giving extra money to the owner.”
It’s about honoring the service you received.
It says:
“You took great care of me.”
“I appreciate your time and expertise.”
“Your work has value.”
❤️And for small business owners — especially those pouring their heart, money, and energy into every detail — that kind of acknowledgment means more than you know.❤️
Thank you for supporting local artists, service providers, and entrepreneurs. Thank you for showing up.
And thank you to everyone who continues to recognize
the value in the hands that care for you
— title or no title.—
Thanks for reading! If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it or leave a comment below. Let’s keep the conversation going.
©Bella Nuova Spa - 2025
•all rights reserved, Bella Nuova Spa, Solea Skincare
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only.
All information is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information.
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