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Comment by jacalata | Hacker News Reader

You say you think it will "really take off" - what's that mean, it's going to be a billion dollar company? Ok then, your 0.5% is going to make you 5 million dollars. That's a net win.

But maybe you mean it's a 50 million dollar company - then, best case (no dilution, you stick it out until they IPO, let's say 5 years working there total) you could walk away with $250,000, or the equivalent of having been paid an extra $40k-$50k per year each year you worked there. That sounds like about break-even financially, with some great experience but shitty lifestyle for several years. Up to you if that was a good deal.

Or maybe you mean it's a 10 million dollar company. Would you be at this job if you had no equity and an extra $10k or would you feel screwed?

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Thanks for the perspective - this has been really helpful. I think no matter what happens it will have been an amazing experience that I lucked in to.

> it will have been an amazing experience that I lucked in to.

I'm not really sure why you feel that way. Are you underskilled? You make it sound as though you're underpaid but then call it an amazing experience.

I'm definitely underpaid at the moment but that's the nature of a bootstrapped startup isn't it. They took a chance on me with no degree or job exp. Also money doesn't equal a better experience. I get to work on something really fucking cool and I love the people I work with. I'd probably kill myself at consultancy.

So regardless of whether or not make tons of money on this startup, I'll have 2+ years of job experience for the next job that I didn't have before.

You're rationalizing your state of being underpaid, which is understandable (you want to feel like you're making good choices in your life) but not very rational.

The tell-tale sign is that you compare your current position with a bad job (consultancy).

The thing is: there are plenty of startups that make cool things and have nice people AND pay well AND offer good equity AND have potential to take off in the future.

So if you really think you're underpaid for your skills (as in: you could find another job that is as good as this one and pays better), you should ask for a raise that would match a market rate for your current skills.

If a raise is not possible, you should start looking for a new job (and if you're in SF/Bay Area, there have never been a better time to do that).

Better to love what you do then make more money. Money != Happiness If this guy loves his job and company, and has earned valuable experience, then he is a lucky man! If he happens to make an extra buck or two, so much the better.

Eek.. doesn't

> They took a chance on me with no degree or job exp.

Stand out to you? S/he sounds like a beginner..

I suppose it depends on how you define "lucked in to".

Even building my own company, bootstrapping over these 5 years, I feel like I lucked into where I am. Not because I'm undeserving, but really because I feel lucky to live in an era where I even have that possibility.

If my world is entirely comprised of SV type startups, perhaps I'd feel differently. But I try to keep some perspective. (As in, I lucked into not being a field hand in 4th century Italy, and instead I can use my brain to manipulate electrons through small finger movements, that supposedly create value enough for other people to transfer electrons into a virtual account of "mine" that I can exchange for goods and services.)

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, it's not intended that way. I really just wanted to point out that people define luck very differently.

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