[Periodic]

I left a start up despite dumping countless hours into it. I just didn't see it really going anywhere because our business side just wasn't well fleshed out and I knew I'd never really have the control I wanted based on the personality of the other founder.

A year later he's still at it and has made no progress. I gave up my founder's share for a more modest share. If the company ever goes anywhere I'll take my paycheck, but at this point I just consider that time to be a financial loss.

There are many ways to leave a company and still maintain the possibility for a payout for your work if it ever comes to that. If they're the types that would try to screw you over when you leave, then you probably should have left a while ago.