Founder Compensation And EquityCompensation

Founder underpaying self versus employees to reinvest while betting on equity upside

March 20, 2026r/SaaS

In r/SaaS, founders debate paying themselves below market to keep the company healthier, while others argue to pay a reasonable salary if affordable and to be honest about whether profitability depends on unpaid founder labor.

We're profitable but I pay myself less than my employees
My salary: $60K Their salaries: $75-95K
But I own 85% of the company. My upside is equity appreciation, not salary.
Pay yourself now and pay yourself well, if you can afford it.
if the answer is no, the business isnt actually profitable yet, youre just subsidizing it with your own labor.
r/SaaS
founder salaryprofitabilityequitysaas

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