[blackboxxx]

I'm conflicted about this post. I think your expressions are heartfelt, but it sounds like you've been window shopping when you don't have the funds to buy.

If you knew you didn't have the money to fairly pay for this designer's services, why ask? To the more cynical among us, this post may seem like a manipulative way to indirectly guilt-trip this guy into working for you far below his asking rate.

Look, you know how to get press and upvotes on HN. You obviously know how to influence people. But maybe now isn't the time to be speaking about this hiring issue while it's still unresolved.

[jcc80]

I'm sad to learn that I'm among the more cynical - jk. But, is it possible to write this while not considering how it's going to influence the prospective hire? I don't think so.

[tlianza]

> If you knew you didn't have the money to fairly pay for this designer's services, why ask?

By this equation, a startup without a lot of VC money wouldn't have a shot at hiring anyone great - and yet a startup needs great people. Put simply, if you want to make a lot of money at minimal risk, run far away from startups. Go work at a big tech company who's a money making machine, become employee 29751, and enjoy your biweekly paycheck which will come whether you work hard or not.

The equation at a startup is different. You have to love what you do, first and foremost. That's not measured in dollars, but not hating the place where you spend most of your non-sleeping hours is worth a lot. Secondly, you really have to believe in the company, and your impact on it. Without that, you'll value your equity at $0, and the financial side of things will wear on you (you will believe you're being paid unfairly).

Part of attracting great people is making sure they believe in you, and making sure you can provide a great work environment for them. The people who are strictly motivated by salary are probably not going to work out. There are still a lot of great people willing to take on some risk so long as it's something they believe in.

[blackboxxx]

Me believing in your startup is included in my rate. So is passion. If you're going to nickel and dime my rate, both will affected.

[tlianza]

That would suggest you have a different rate for different startups. Right? If so, I agree with you.

[subnetvj]

Absolutely!! I think if someone is really that necessary or could add value that could make a drastic change, you should ask him to become a co-founder. Every founder would want the best people to work for him, but can they afford them? And if they can't how far are they willing to go to get the person. A person can work under his pay-grade only if he thinks he owns the thing and can see his future connected with in terms of prosperity and happiness.