From W2 to Owner Mindset: How to Think About Your Take-Home Pay

“How much will I actually make if I buy this business?”

It's one of the most common (and misunderstood) questions that buyers ask.

In this office hours webinar, Chelsea Wood of Acquisition Lab walks through how to shift from a traditional W2 mindset to an owner’s mindset. A mindset that’s focused on flexibility, tax efficiency, and long-term wealth, not just salary.

We cover:

• Why “replacing your salary” is the wrong question and what to ask instead
• What makes up total owner benefit (spoiler: it’s more than just your W2)
• A simple framework to help you estimate your real take-home pay post-close.

If you're trying to understand how ownership stacks up against your current income or how to model compensation when evaluating a deal, then this session is for you.