Why this matters: Most new entrepreneurs pay themselves last — whatever is left over. That is backwards. You are the most important employee in your business. This calculator helps you determine a sustainable, strategic owner's draw based on your actual numbers — not hope.

What is Profit First? Profit First is a cash management method created by Mike Michalowicz. Traditional formula: Revenue – Expenses = Profit. The problem: expenses always expand to fill whatever is left, so profit rarely happens. Profit First flips it: Revenue – Profit = Expenses. You allocate into four separate accounts the moment revenue arrives — Profit, Owner Pay, Tax, and Operating Expenses — so you always pay yourself and build profit first, before spending anything.

What is runway? Business runway is how many months your business can operate if revenue stopped completely. Less than 3 months is dangerous. 3–6 months is stable. 6+ months means freedom to make bold decisions without desperation.