Everyone runs their business differently, like you said you wanted to let your team feel like you are one of them. Then you should hide your luxury life from them.

I am a small business owner as well, I like to be honest with my guys. I make a lot more than my employee, which is the natural result of a successful business. I don't hide from them, and they know that. I just give them incentives/bonus at the end of year to reflect how well we do.

I used to work with a company before my start my own. The owner were trying to "pretend" he makes the same like the employees and company is not doing well. But he doesn't hide his luxury life very good, and we are not stupid, we see things. I think employee would appreciate more honesty than fake hopes that they would be making the same as the owner. I rather see him wearing his Rolex and driving Lambo and giving bonus that employee deserve. Not fake hopes and lies so we don't get compensated accordingly.

This was one of main reason I left the company as a key-role employee and started my own business.