[gumby]

If you can do it without them you’re better off. You’ll own more of your business.

Some businesses simply cannot operate that way (e.g. require a large cap ex) and so do need the outside money; for them the trade offs are worth it.

If you already have significant traction and really can grow 10X in two years (where 10X isn’t 200K->2MM) then there should be plenty of investors interested, if you know where to find them.