Meet Olivia.
She’s smart, stylish, and freshly self-employed. She runs a booming little social media business from her phone, wears blazer sets with sneakers, and knows how to make a mean Canva post.
But Olivia made one royal mistake…
She started mixing business and personal expenses like they were bottomless mimosas at Sunday brunch.
It Started So Innocently…
First, it was a client brunch. Totally justifiable, right? Networking, connection, potential revenue. Swipe that business debit card!
Then came the mani-pedi—“gotta stay polished for those client Zooms.”
Then the new Nikes—“they help me think when I walk.”
Then the Amazon order—“vibe-y home office decor” (read: pink throw pillows and a neon sign that said Boss Babe).
And suddenly, Olivia’s books looked less like a business and more like an episode of The Real Entrepreneurs of Brunch County.
The Countess says:
Darling, your business is not your personal ATM.
Mixing business and personal expenses is like serving caviar on a paper plate—it cheapens everything.
When tax time rolls around, the IRS isn’t interested in your justification—they want clean, legitimate, clearly labeled business transactions.
How to Keep That Crown On:
- Track your receipts and note the business purpose. “Lunch with client to discuss Q2 strategy” beats “food” every time.
- Open a separate business bank account. Seriously. Today.
- Use a dedicated card for all business purchases. No exceptions.
- Not sure if it’s a business expense? Pay with your personal account and ask your accountant later.
You are the CEO, the visionary, the Countess of your empire—don’t let a Target run for “biz snacks” dethrone your financial confidence.
Don’t be like Olivia. Keep your books clean, your receipts straight, and your mimosa off the ledger.
Royal Wrap-Up:
Olivia learned her lesson—right around tax season, when her accountant side-eyed the pedicure line item labeled “Client Prep.”
She’s back on track now, separating her dollars like a Duchess and keeping her kingdom in order.
You can too.
So raise your mimosa and repeat after me:
“I will not swipe recklessly. I will keep my receipts. And I will not dethrone myself with Nordstrom runs.”
Long live the ledger.
