I don't think we disagree much. I would argue that personal finances and business finances are totally separate, though. Whether or not you are making your mortgage payment is not all that relavent to the business in terms of its profitability.
For example, two founders each have identical businesses. One has a $10k/month mortgage. One lives in a $400/month apartment. Which one is more profitable? Neither. If either founder chose to sell their business, they'd get the same amount. That is, the present value of the profits of either business is the same to a would-be purchaser.
The question that needs to be adressed is not "How much do I need to live the way I want?", but "What is the market salary of someone I could hire to do my job while I sit at home and watch Shark Tank on DVR?" If you account for that, and the business comes out ahead, you have a profitable business. (Even if you're blowing the profits on your mortgage.)
For example, two founders each have identical businesses. One has a $10k/month mortgage. One lives in a $400/month apartment. Which one is more profitable? Neither. If either founder chose to sell their business, they'd get the same amount. That is, the present value of the profits of either business is the same to a would-be purchaser.
The question that needs to be adressed is not "How much do I need to live the way I want?", but "What is the market salary of someone I could hire to do my job while I sit at home and watch Shark Tank on DVR?" If you account for that, and the business comes out ahead, you have a profitable business. (Even if you're blowing the profits on your mortgage.)