| I got my break working for a startup that went big, but without any equity. The CEO asked me to work on his next startup, and I did so. I worked every hour, of every day for over a year to try and make things successful. It was never enough, and I felt like a failure regularly. It destroyed my personal life, and I still feel like there are ramifications from it. Finally they questioned the hours I was billing, from the minor level of pay + equity, they didn't feel the output was enough. I quit on that point, having given so much, and then to have to defend myself. It was a disaster, that in some small part ruined my life. I mean, I'm fine. Life is great, but it took some measure of life out of me. They ask me to come back regularly, and I always say no. They have twice said they'd give me more equity with no strings attached just because of the work I had done, and then never said anything about it again. I have no idea if the equity will ever amount to anything, but I learned my lesson. It just isn't worth it, under any respect. Sacrificing for some dream that isn't in your hands is a fools errand. They can talk about whatever millions they want to from your equity. It can never make up for the destructive aspects you do to yourself to obtain it. |
So you were getting an hourly rate--not salary?