[brok3nmachine]

Just sounds like it was a bad deal for you all around, not all start-ups are out to "sucker" employees. If you are making a disgracefully low salary, you should of been asking for sizable percentage of equity. And you really should have been insanely excited to work there, and not "slaving" away. I've been fortunate enough to work for some great start-ups. One paid me about 20% lower than market, but a couple years later I was able make 10x off my stock options. At another, I was able to cash out on some of my equity within a year, while making above market. Even if my options ended up being worth nothing, it was a very good decision for me. As an employee, the wealth of experience I gained from working at start-ups has actually doubled my market value within a very short time period.