Didn't they make money?

Joan made some money from the publishing rights to the songs she actually wrote for the band, but we're not talking a huge amount. It was enough to get by for a while. Fowley co-wrote some of them with her and also took credit for some stuff he didn't contribute to as well. Most of the girls didn't get a dime because Fowley stole the lion's share of the profits. He even bootleged Cherie's eventual solo albums and made money overseas. She should have cut him loose when she left the band, but continued on with him in a control position. Joan was able to survive before her solo success because of the royalties from her song-writing. Cherie and Joan eventually sued Fowley with the help of Kenny Laguna at Blackheart Records. They won, but all the money was long gone. Joan now owns the rights to all things Runaways and Cherie is actually signed to Joan's Blackheart Records label. So in essence, Cherie works for Joan as a performer... but of course Cherie has her chainsaw carving business as well and is said to make a living off of that. Her ex-husband Robert Hays has played a significant role in her life and work, which Cherie has mentioned on her Facebook page. He is a vital part of her success.

Here's a pic of Joan and Cherie from Summer 2012 that Cherie posted on her facebook page... she said Joan just stopped by to celebrate Robert Hays' Birthday at Cherie's house. http://i50.tinypic.com/14dov3s.jpg

Actually no because their contracts weren't fair and they were new to the business and didn't know that they were being ripped off. Cherie mentioned in her book that her sister who was an actress went with her to the signing of the contracts and told her not to sign but they were young and want this chance so they signed
I recommend you read Cherie's book to get a clearer idea of what actually happened.

To add to what's already been posted, Cherie's autobio claims Fowley was VERY stingy with the band money, continually claiming that the band had none and HE was taking substantial financial hits from supposedly bankrolling their musical career. On a good day he might hand out $10 to each girl to subsist on for the day, but that was a rarity.

He supposedly had so verbally beaten the girls into submission that only Jackie Fox, the bassist, continually voiced a concern over the lack of money. The other girls, by comparison, would react to Jackie's concern with anger, afraid that her complaints might force Fowley to do as he continually threatened: fire them all and replace them.

Cherie's book states that after the Japanese tour, each of the Runaways was given a cheque for $1200 "after expenses" by Kim Fowley, and expressed how her sister Marie, who then worked in a fast-food restaurant, seemed better paid than she was.