Sure an owner can also work in the business, the skimming of marginal labor is what makes them the owner in contrast to the worker. Your example is absolutely

Sure an owner can also work in the business, the skimming of marginal labor is what makes them the owner in contrast to the worker. Your example is absolutely possible in a co-op too, the only difference is you would be making the full value of your labor less expenses, not the amount of that that your boss thinks you deserve.