Build your portfolio tiers

Segment your shears into three categories:

Primary tools: Everyday cutting and texturizing shears.
Specialty tools: Dry cutting, swivel, slide, or barbering shears used for niche services.
Backups/training: Older shears maintained for chemical services, travel kits, or apprentices.

Budget formula

Use the 3-2-1 approach for annual tool budgeting:

Adjust percentages if you are launching a new salon or expanding a team.

Stagger purchases: Acquire one major tool per quarter to avoid lump-sum hits.
Negotiate bundles: Authorized dealers often discount when you pair cutting and texturizing shears.
Leverage financing ethically: Use 0% interest promos only if you can automate payments and avoid fees.
Track depreciation: Log purchase price, service costs, and resale potential.

Tool ID	Purchase date	Cost	Sharpening dates	Warranty end	Status
Cutting-01	2024-02-15	$420	2024-06-01, 2024-10-10	2027-02-15	Active
Blender-01	2023-09-20	$280	2024-03-01, 2024-08-25	2025-09-20	Active

Export this table each quarter and evaluate which tools are approaching end-of-life or require upgrades.

Compare service revenue generated by signature cuts to the cost of specialty shears supporting them.
Measure time saved per client after upgrading; translate minutes saved into dollar value.
Track client retention changes post-upgrade (new tools often improve results and rebooking).

Standardize brands across teams to simplify sharpening logistics.
Offer tool stipends tied to education milestones.
Maintain a central registry using the new Register process—simplifies warranty claims.

Audit your current portfolio using the lifecycle table.
Allocate the 3-2-1 budget across the next 12 months.
Schedule a quarterly review to decide which upgrades or retirements make financial sense.