There is one way to build a business that gives the "workers" a livable wage, yet doesn't require a floor in pay. Have the employees buy into the company, and share the profits.
Wage slaves are a descendant to agricultural businesses: a landowner procures the land and works the soil, but as the land holdings grows he hires farm hands. Those people work for a set wage regardless of how the business fares...and when things turn south, the jobs fly away.
The "city" way would be for the owner to attract the initial capital. Part of the capital is the people whose skills contribute to the success of the company. Just as people with the cash can buy shares, so can the employees buy shares with their work.
There is precedent: the "bonus pool" for management -- this is a slug of money that is distributed to directors, managers, and select necessary employees so that they are rewarded directly for their efforts. Extend this bonus pool to all employees that contribute directly to the company's success.
"But what about the janitors?" Outside of clean room environments, the cleaning crew can be employed by the cleaning company on the same basis, and contracted by the primary business. Or something like that.
AOC only thinks with her box.