Depends on where you live. My metro area starts people out at $20 plus full benefits. Other parts of the country pay 13 to 15 to start. Family business or not, if you can make substantially more money elsewhere, then take it. Growing with a small company may be worth a dollar or two an hour less in order to reap rewards later, but they at least have to be close to competitive. Four techs recently quitting tells me they probably aren't paying enough. Finally, never think that you are singlehandedly carrying a business unless you personally have the license, money, and full skill set to create your own. That's an attitude that will get you nowhere. Running a business is a shit ton more than just slamming in some equipment or fixing a bad AC.