Episode 13

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Published on:

30th Sep 2025

Salary or Distribution? How Business Owners Really Get Paid | 013

So you've started a business… but how do you actually pay yourself?

If you’ve ever felt confused, scared, or stuck about taking money out of your business, this Actionable Insights episode is for you. CPA and entrepreneur Charles Harris breaks down how to think about distributions, taxes, revenue vs. profit, and what your bank balance actually means — so you don’t starve yourself or screw up your cash flow.

Joined by Dr. Seth Jenson, Charles gives tactical, no-fluff advice for founders trying to build financially sound businesses — and actually get paid.

💡 You’ll Learn:

  • The difference between revenue and profit (and why it matters)
  • How to know when you can start paying yourself
  • The difference between a salary and a distribution
  • How much to set aside for taxes (hint: 20–30%)
  • When to open a business bank account
  • How to avoid cash flow panic
  • The value of consistent, responsible pay
  • Why you can’t wait until April to think about taxes

Whether you’re just making your first few sales or are sitting on $200K and still not sure if you can take a paycheck—this episode will give you clarity, peace of mind, and a real plan.

Got questions for Charles and Seth? Submit them HERE.

Listen for free

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About the Podcast

Unsexy Entrepreneurship
How to Start, Acquire or Grow Your Business.
Want to quit your job and build real financial freedom—but not sure where to start?

This podcast is for millennial entrepreneurs who are ready to take control of their future through business ownership. Whether you’re looking to start a business, buy an existing business, or grow a side hustle into a full-time gig, we give you the real-world playbook that actually works.

Hosted by Charles Harris, a CPA turned business owner, and Dr. Seth Jenson, director of The Entrepreneurship Institute and an Oxford PhD in Business Strategy who’s helped thousands launch companies, this show cuts through the noise and gives you straight talk on:
• How to start a business from scratch
• What to look for when buying a small business
• The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur
• How to avoid beginner mistakes that cost you time and money
• Proven strategies to grow your small business

No fluff. No hype. Just the unsexy truth about building a business that works—so you can build a life you actually want.

Subscribe now if you’re ready to stop dreaming and start doing.

Got questions? Contact us here: https://tinyurl.com/6fwvem3v

About your hosts

Charles Harris

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Ian Martin

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Producer, Audio Engineer, and Founder of TheAudioMarketers.com