Had to choose between a stable job offer and a risky startup role last spring

I got a solid offer from a big company in Boston, but a friend asked me to join his new tech startup for less pay but more equity. I picked the startup because the project felt exciting. It's been eight months now, and the hours are crazy but I'm learning way more than I ever did at my old job. Has anyone else taken a big pay cut for a role they believed in, and how did you make it work financially?

3 comments

3 Comments

lisa_jones2113d ago

Rolled the dice on a startup too. @jesse_barnes37 knows the drill, store brand everything. I started eating oatmeal for dinner twice a week. Saves cash and reminds me of my college glory days. The long hours suck but at least I can say I built something instead of just moving spreadsheets around. Equity might be a scam but the hustle is real.

the_zara1mo ago

Picking the startup sounds like it was worth it for the learning alone, right? Taking a pay cut for a role you believe in is a huge bet on yourself. I had to get real strict with my budget, cutting out stuff I didn't really need. The long hours are rough, but if the equity ever pays off, you'll look back and laugh at the ramen dinners.

jesse_barnes371mo agoTop Commenter

My first year at a seed stage company, I cut my grocery bill in half by switching to store brands and planning every meal. The learning curve was insane, but I got to touch parts of the business I never would have at a bigger firm. That hands-on experience was way more valuable than the salary I gave up.

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