Why You Deserve a Salary
If you’ve got a nice cushion of savings, you may not need a salary right now to pay your bills. But that could change, so it’s best to prepare for the day when your funds run out. Getting into the habit of paying yourself, even just a little bit, will give you money for personal expenses when things get tight or the economy gets worse. If your business happens to fail one day, you would have gotten something for your efforts by paying yourself and saving money for a rainy day.

Giving yourself a salary can have tax benefits for certain business entities, as it reduces your company’s profit. Talk to an accountant to find out what benefits your tax type (LLC, partnership, corporation) has with your salary.

Other benefits to paying yourself include:

• You can save money for future business efforts or for personal use
• You will work harder to increase revenues and your income
• Investors see you are committed to growing your company

How To Build In Your Salary

Plan your salary from the beginning. When you set up your budget, include at least a small weekly, bi-weekly or monthly salary for yourself. If you’re seeking financing, having your salary built in is key, as it will increase the amount you ask for from investors. In this case, determine how much you need to live, as well as what you’re worth.

If you’re bootstrapping, start by paying yourself a modest salary, even if it’s just a few hundred dollars a week. This can increase as your profits grow. You can also pay yourself through employee benefits such as health insurance, 401K investment or loans.

Things To Know

If you’re not making enough to pay yourself, consider raising your prices to better reflect what you’re worth.

You’ve achieved something great by starting a business. As an entrepreneur, you’re willing to take risks to grow your business. You deserve to be paid, just like any of your employees. Invest in yourself just like you do your small business.

FW: Small Business Advisor Report