Start Up Company, How many Shares to ask for?
=========================================== Q: What would you do in this situation? ===========================================
Hope this is - Deeply interesting (site post guidelines :) - Helps other people like myself
I'm looking for any helpful comments. Will keep it short and sweet!
Note I am a passionate programmer: My purpose is to be creative and help as many people as I can along my path. I love Programming, and I feel it is a satisfying way of filling that purpose.
Background ========== A start-up company is formed by a master mind sales and marketing strategist. It's based on a Marketing Model that is sure to make a lot of money, while also helping everyone Win. Everyone being; Us, The Company, Referrers, Clients, Sales.
12 Months ago (Feb 2010) a marketing model was being pitched to various people with varying skills and talents. 7 People come together to devote time and energy into a new Start-Up Company (Happy anniversary to me/us :)
Team: 7 people started at around same time.
Capital: very little
Investors: just us, people in team investing valuable Time and Energy.
Offered to me: 10% shares, + 2 times my normal wage when company is profitable.
Potential: Marketing Model has a lot of potential. Excitement brews. Team is seemingly keen to work together. Great energy flowing.
* Fast Forward * Ok, so it's been a roller-coaster ride, ups and downs :)
12 months later =============== We have: - Custom built Web App; CRM, Event Manager, and Marketing Toolkit, Website Generator. - Marketing Model - Education via regular Webinars; hosted by professionals in their field. - 3 dedicated souls with a quest to drive this company to success. - Some docs that resembles a sales process.
Funds: (-$0) a little in red, income is slightly less than expenses. Wages so far: $0.00 (not enough profit yet) Team Members: 3 of 7 Remain, (Marketing, Finance, and IT/Web Programmer) + 1 Sales Manager part-time. Capital: 0 Investors: 0
And Now... I feel things are way off balance. 3 out of 7 people left and Shares kept going to the other two people where my shares stayed at 10%. Note: $0 have been paid for shares, only clear allocations & transfers so far.
How would you feel being part of a team of 3 people, you are a full on dedicated developer, and company ownership is not even mentioned to you, only "we need more features." heheh. And, probably like you, when I focus on work - I pour my soul into it, just like any passionate programmer/hacker ;)
--------------------------------------- Main Question: 1. How to balance this? Ask for more shares? 1.b. What would you do? ---------------------------------------
PS: lots of details not mentioned, trying to keep it interesting and to the point, can go into it if people request.
PPS: Yes, there are many possible solutions ;) I seek balance and harmony.