Yeah, I said the same thing. But at least I ended up with some interesting stories to tell when I interviewed for my next job. Seriously, you're putting a lot

Yeah, I said the same thing. But at least I ended up with some interesting stories to tell when I interviewed for my next job. Seriously, you're putting a lot of faith in people who have every reason to screw you over. Even if they seem like they're on your side now, things change. In a couple of years when there's the genuine prospect of real money, there's a big risk that their attitude will change. Or when you start saying "no" to impossible deadlines you'll see who actually makes the decisions. And you are replaceable. They can make you feel good by getting you to hire a few people, and then encourage you to train them up and hand things over so you're not a key person risk, and then they don't need you any more. Or maybe they'll just make a really dumb decision and get rid of the person that actually held everything together for all that time without having a sensible plan for the future. It happens. And that feeling of vindication when you watch it all fall apart without you doesn't make up for all the money you gave up when you gave them a "we're all in this together" discount on your wages.