kfb

I think your biggest mistake is thinking you have a choice: I can choose to be consumed by my business endeavors, or I can choose to fall in love with this girl. Neither is the case - you have little control over what consumes you. Presuming you allow yourself sufficient exposure to each, it will likely sort itself out without you needing (getting) to make a conscious choice.

I didn't put either first or second. I worked my tail off on my professional career and didn't end up meeting the right girl until fairly late on, but when I did I knew it and I didn't hesitate to marry her and keep my work in perspective. But had I met her ten years earlier I would have married her then too, and don't think I would have achieved anything less professionally.

I agree with most of the advice given so far, but be careful that you do not interpret it too liberally. You can't get around payroll by just calling your workers contractors and sending them a 1099. The IRS has pretty stringent rules about who is a contractor and who isn't. Furthermore, you can't get around paying payroll taxes by not taking a salary yourself. The IRS presumes no one would work for free so expects everyone working for the company is getting compensated somehow. If you are a valid contractor, it is fine to get paid as such. But if you are working full time long term for the company I can't imagine there is an accountant or lawyer who will tell you it is ok to call yourself a contractor and skip doing payroll.