[dreamdu5t]

Exactly. Every startup I've worked for the owners have this weird attitude that their equity is worth something. It's not. It's worth jack shit until the company is worth something. It doesn't pay bills. It doesn't let me buy the new shoes I want. It's essentially an investment. Usually if someone is in the position to invest, they don't need to work a day-job to cover bills.

[petervandijck]

Ahem, it's not a "weird attitude" to offer less salary in return for equity. Of course equity is worth something.