If you’re running a business but struggling to pay yourself consistently, you’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs pour everything they make back into their business, chasing growth but never quite seeing the financial rewards they expected.

At The Neuro-Spicy Academy, we see this all the time. Business owners work themselves to the brink, making thousands—sometimes even tens of thousands—per month, yet still feel like they’re living paycheck to paycheck. Why? Because they’re caught in a cycle that doesn’t prioritize their own paycheck.

In this article, we’re breaking down why business owners struggle to pay themselves and how to change that—without burning out in the process.

🎥 Watch the Episode

Mistake #1: The “I’ll Pay Myself Later” Trap

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is believing that they have to reinvest everything back into their business before they can pay themselves. It makes sense at first—you need software, marketing, maybe even a team. But if you keep pushing your own paycheck to the back burner, you’re training yourself (and your business) to survive without you.

And let’s be real: that’s not sustainable.

Before you know it, you’re making $10K, $15K, or even $20K per month, and you’re still not seeing a dime. Instead, you’re funding new projects, buying more tools, outsourcing work—everything except ensuring you get paid.

The Fix: Pay Yourself First

Instead of treating your income like a “leftover” after expenses, flip the script. You are a business expense.

Take a page from Mike Michalowicz’s Profit First method, which redefines how business owners should manage their money.

Instead of thinking:

💰 Revenue - Expenses = Profit (which is how most entrepreneurs think)…

You should be thinking:

💰 Revenue - Profit = Expenses

In this model, you set aside your pay and profit first, then budget the rest for business expenses.

If you’re making under $250,000 per year, the Profit First model suggests:

• 50% of revenue should go to YOU (your take-home pay)

• 30% for operating expenses (software, marketing, staff, tools)

• 15% for taxes (so tax season doesn’t destroy you)

• 5% for profit savings (which you get to keep after hitting your savings goal!)

This ensures you’re always paying yourself first—before committing to new expenses.

Mistake #2: Avoiding the Numbers

Many entrepreneurs don’t track their numbers because, well… it’s overwhelming. They’d rather “wing it” than dig into their expenses, cash flow, and pricing structure. But here’s the truth:

• ❌ If you don’t track your numbers, you can’t make smart decisions.

• ❌ If you don’t see the problems, you can’t fix them.

• ❌ If you avoid reality, you’re just setting yourself up for stress and burnout.

The Fix: Get Clear on Your Pricing & Profit Margins

How do you know if you’re pricing your services too low? Do the math.

For most business owners, a sustainable rate is at least $350 per hour. That’s because:

• ✔️ You’re not working 40 billable hours per week (realistically, you have 15-20 billable hours max).

• ✔️ You need to account for time off, sick days, vacations, and personal development.

• ✔️ You have business expenses, taxes, and savings to account for.

If your pricing doesn’t support that, then your business isn’t paying you what you’re worth.

Mistake #3: Serving the Wrong Market

Another common reason entrepreneurs struggle financially? They’re targeting a market that literally can’t afford them.

Many business owners, especially those who are heart-centered and service-based, gravitate toward helping people who need their expertise but can’t pay for it.

That leads to chronic underpricing and a never-ending cycle of overwork.

The Fix: Find the Right Market & Offer the Right Services

Instead of lowering your prices to fit a market that can’t afford you, shift to a market that values and can pay for your expertise.

• 👉 If you still want to serve lower-income clients, create an entry-level product, online course, or group program that allows you to help without undercharging yourself.

• 👉 If your one-on-one service is premium, charge premium rates.

• 👉 If the market can’t support your price, the solution is not to charge less—it’s to offer a different product that aligns with their budget.

How to Take Control of Your Business & Your Income

If you’re tired of working long hours, burning out, and still not getting paid enough, it’s time to make a change.

• Start tracking your numbers—know where your money is going.

• Implement the Profit First method—pay yourself before your expenses.

• Review your pricing—make sure you’re charging enough to support your lifestyle.

• Assess your market—make sure you’re selling to people who can pay you.

• Keep things simple—don’t overwhelm yourself with unnecessary expenses.

At The Neuro-Spicy Academy, we help entrepreneurs design sustainable businesses that work for them—not the other way around.

If you’re ready to create a business that pays you well and doesn’t leave you exhausted, join our community of like-minded entrepreneurs inside the Neuro-Spicy Academy today!

👉 Join the Academy today: https://neurospicyacademy.com/join