Savvy or Surrender - Your Guide to Profit, Cash Flow, and Tax Savings
Running a business shouldn’t feel like a never-ending fight for cash. On Savvy or Surrender, host Steven Young cuts through the noise and shows real business owners how to take control of their numbers, keep more of their hard-earned money, and build a business that actually pays them back.
Each episode gives you practical strategies you can use right away — from fixing cash flow bottlenecks, to implementing Profit First, to unlocking tax savings most owners never hear about. No jargon. No fluff. Just clear guidance, real-talk coaching, and a little humor to keep things human.
Whether you’re a contractor, service pro, or business owner who’s tired of working hard with nothing to show for it, this is your go-to show for leveling up your money decisions and building a business that supports your life… not the other way around.
Choose to be Savvy — or surrender your profit. The choice is yours.
Savvy or Surrender - Your Guide to Profit, Cash Flow, and Tax Savings
How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner- Consistent Paychecks, Tax Tips & Profit First Explained: Episode 18
Title:
How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner- Consistent Paychecks, Tax Tips & Profit First Explained: Episode 18
Description:
Are you a business owner struggling with inconsistent paychecks? In this episode, Steven Young- host of Savvy or Surrender Podcast breaks down exactly how to pay yourself—no matter your business structure (Sole Proprietor, LLC, Partnership, S Corp, or C Corp). Learn the difference between draws, salaries, and distributions, how to set up your accounts for predictable income, and how to use the Profit First method to ensure you get paid—every month. Plus, get actionable tax tips to keep more of what you earn and avoid common mistakes that cost business owners thousands.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimize your pay structure, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you become a savvy CEO and never surrender to the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why Your Paycheck Feels Optional
00:31 – Meet Steven Young & The Savvy Podcast
01:37 – How Business Structure Affects Your Pay
03:23 – Sole Proprietor & LLC: Draws Explained
05:26 – The Importance of Separate Business Accounts
07:03 – How Taxes Work on Business Income
09:02 – Estimated Tax Payments & Key Dates
12:15 – Paying Yourself Like Payroll (Even Without W2)
14:00 – Partnerships & Guaranteed Payments
16:36 – S Corps: Salary vs. Distributions
19:28 – What’s a “Reasonable Salary” for S Corps?
23:11 – Why Owner Pay is Often Inconsistent
26:06 – The Profit First Method for Consistent Pay
29:15 – Setting Up Owner’s Pay & Buffer Accounts
32:10 – S Corp Tax Tips & Avoiding Common Mistakes
35:10 – How to Build a Pay Buffer for Slow Months
38:00 – Q&A, Resources, and Final Thoughts
#BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #ProfitFirst #SmallBusiness #TaxTips #SoleProprietor #LLC #SCorp #BusinessFinance #SavvyCEO
Keywords:
how to pay yourself as a business owner, business owner salary, profit first method, owner’s draw vs salary, S corp salary, LLC pay structure, business tax tips, consistent paycheck, small business finance, Steven Young, Savvy Podcast, business owner mistakes, how to set up business accounts, estimated tax payments, guaranteed payments, owner distributions, business structure pay, entrepreneur pay, business owner financial advice
Resources:
- Schedule a discovery call: https://meetwithsavvy.com
- Get the Tax Savings Playbook: https://savvytaxstrategies.com
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review if you found this episode helpful!
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