# Gross Income Is a Lie — Here's What to Ask Instead (Ep. 267)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/without-the-bank-podcast-1519613/gross-income-is-a-lie-here-s-what-to-ask-instead-ep-267
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/without-the-bank-podcast-1519613/gross-income-is-a-lie-here-s-what-to-ask-instead-ep-267.md
Podcast: [Without the Bank Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/without-the-bank-podcast-1519613)
Published: 2026-04-30T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://withoutthebank.libsyn.com/ep-267-gross-income-is-a-lie-heres-what-to-ask-instead
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/withoutthebank/WTB_-_Ep._267_-_MJ_solo_Dont_Believe_Everything_You_Hear.mp3?dest-id=2617376
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/without-the-bank-podcast-1519613/episodes/gross-income-is-a-lie-here-s-what-to-ask-instead-ep-267
Duration seconds: 1218

## Resource

Gross income is a sales pitch. Net income is the truth. Here are the questions you need to ask. 👉 Follow Mary Jo Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ Everybody's talking about how much money you CAN make. Nobody's talking about how much you actually KEEP. Let's fix that. In this solo episode, Mary Jo breaks down the gross vs. net income trap that catches new and experienced business buyers alike. Using real-world examples — tote rental businesses, car washes, Jiffy Lube franchises, and Airbnb — she walks through the questions you MUST ask before you fall in love with a business opportunity. Here's what you'll learn: ✅ Why most business owners quote gross — and why it's almost meaningless ✅ The "un-fudged" net income question that reveals the real picture ✅ How to factor in owner draws, distributions, and personal expenses run through the business ✅ Why a $100K/year tote business might not be worth your time when you calculate the hourly rate ✅ What a car wash owner told MJ that instantly killed her interest ("it's like having milk cows") ✅ The difference between buying a job and building an asset If you're evaluating a business to buy, a side hustle, or a "passive income" opportunity — this episode is your due diligence checklist. 👉 Get the book: https://www.withoutthebank.com/book 🔔 Subscribe for new weekly episodes 👍 Share this video with someone you love 📧 Reach out with your questions or what you want to learn in future episodes Website: https://www.withoutthebank.com 💌 Email: maryjo@withoutthebank.com

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## Transcript

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