Boogaloos in downtown Fullerton is a cheerful place where youngsters can sit in colorful mini-airplanes to get their locks trimmed, take the stage in the photography studio or star in a pirate or princess birthday party.

The numbers behind the 17-month-old business aren't so upbeat.

Monthly bills for the 4,000-square-foot site add up to about $12,500. Monthly income averages about $10,700.

Owners Dianne and Victor Nguyen have used most of their $150,000 in start-up money to remodel and cover the monthly deficits. They recently rented out their condo and moved in with relatives to conserve cash.

The couple say they will run out of money in three to six months if they can't boost sales enough to break even. It would end their dream to run a child-friendly business, an idea nurtured even before they had their own three children.

"I just think there is something that we are missing," says Dianne Nguyen, 36.

Her husband is equally frustrated, especially about the nearly $20,000 they spent last year for advertising with little to show for it.

"I just don't know which way to go," says Vic Nguyen, 31.

Customers like the concept -- most of their sales come from referrals, the partners say. They've had inquiries about franchising. Party bookings are up.

The Nguyens' idea was to create a space that would be fun for kids and relaxing for adults. So Boogaloos was set up to include a mini day spa where adults could get massages, facials or other treatments while their children got haircuts. Dianne added art and music classes to keep the kids entertained.

There is a photography studio that's used for portraits and parties. The studio has a stage where the action can be displayed on a big screen TV.

Weekends are birthday party time with pirate, rock star, princess and glamour themes, among others. Some customers have come from as far away as Palos Verdes to hold their celebrations at the salon, Dianne says.

There is also a boutique carrying Crocs footwear, clothing, toys and hair products.

It's unclear how well each business category does because the owners say they can't afford a bookkeeper, accountant or software to track sales and expenses. But the Nguyens do know that the art classes and the adult spa service haven't taken off as expected.

To help make ends meet, they have kept part-time jobs, Vic as a commercial real estate mortgage broker and Dianne as a healthcare insurance consultant.

Vic tried to get a bank loan but says he was told the business had to make it to the two-year mark before it would be eligible. The owners contacted their landlord about moving to a smaller space but were turned down, Dianne says.

A few months ago, Vic says he asked his wife if she wanted to throw in the towel. Her answer: No.

"She is a firm believer this will fly and be the next Fantastic Sam's," Vic says.

Dianne is optimistic but 20-hour days take a toll, she says.

"When we have a slow day it's like, 'What are we doing this for?' " she says. "Then when we have a good day and I hear the good comments and I want to keep going."