We need to stop normalising the act of telling women their worth, especially when it comes to pricing their services in the beauty industry.

Day in and day out, I see people—mostly women—telling other women in the industry that they are charging too much. Shockingly, much of this criticism comes from other women themselves.

I absolutely love seeing women succeed in business and achieve financial freedom. Women have fought, and continue to fight, for the right to control their finances and careers. This is a right we shouldn’t have to fight for anymore.

I witness this kind of judgement every single day.

So why are women so quick to tear each other down? Why do I see women criticising each other’s prices and value?

In just the last two weeks, I’ve encountered multiple instances of this happening. For example, I saw screenshots of one person’s course pricing posted online, where hundreds of women were criticising it. They debated why this individual had the “right” to charge such high prices.

Here’s a reality check: It’s not your business to judge her prices. She doesn’t need to justify them to you, and I’m pretty sure she didn’t ask for your feedback. No one is forcing you to spend your money on her services, and she didn’t ask for permission to set her rates.

In another instance, a skin specialist mentioned that she added a £100 service to a facial. Again, the criticism poured in, with people questioning her right to charge that much.

She has the right to charge whatever she feels is appropriate, and it’s a matter between her and her client. That’s how business works.

I’ve even had my own prices questioned, and my website is completely free right now! Yet, I was told that the planned fee we will be implementing later is too high. Why? Because I could potentially earn too much, and I should be doing this to help people.

But here’s the reality: I have a pool on my vision board, and helping people for free won’t get me there!

I don’t give away free leg waxes in the salon because it’s not the client’s fault they have hair. The same principle applies here. Plus, our planned yearly fee is less than the cost of one Starbucks coffee a week.

Recently, a client mentioned that another salon owner claimed I charged too much for my lash extensions. At £80, when you take off the VAT, that’s £32 per hour without deducting costs and wages. How many other businesses do you know that are happy to achieve that much per hour in turnover (not profit)?

They attempted to devalue me but instead devalued themselves.

All of the above is just from the past two weeks.

You need to cover and what YOU have decided you want to earn. Some people value their time more than others, and that is their right.

Many (not all) have invested substantial amounts of money and time into their education and skill development. Some have simply decided they have limited time available and need to earn more per hour because of this.

There are many reasons, but ultimately it is their business.

I invest a lot into training and have completed some pretty expensive courses. There have been times when I mentally questioned the price, but when it came down to it, the course provider had decided that was their worth, and I decided they had something of value I wanted. That’s the key: does the buyer see the value? Because that’s what truly matters.

My aim is financial freedom, and I won’t apologise for that any more than I will apologise for how I choose to spend my money. Why? Because it’s nobody’s business. Yet, every day I see people making others' prices their business.

I come from a working-class background, and the message I received growing up was to get married and let someone else earn the money. This was pretty standard in the 80s, but it’s not the case now. We need to empower the next generation to know their worth by supporting each other to achieve this.

If you are one of those people judging and being vocal about others’ prices, ask yourself why. Is it because you think everyone should get everything cheap, or is it because you wish you were doing the same?

Numerous studies show that people consider price a reflection of quality. Many of these women have a target audience in mind and understand that their pricing will attract the right clients.

I love Primark, but there are people who will never step foot inside because of how cheap it is. Have you priced yourself into that bracket?

Pricing is about your value and your choice, and we shouldn’t project that onto others.