You're making an assumption. My guys rarely, if ever, work more than 40 hours a week but 30 hours a week is unacceptable at this stage. I agree with you about

You're making an assumption. My guys rarely, if ever, work more than 40 hours a week but 30 hours a week is unacceptable at this stage. I agree with you about inspiration in some regards, I spent the first half of my career as a creative in the advertising industry. However, not staying focused on the problem you're solving is generally very dangerous when it comes to technology startups. If you think you need a lot of new and unique ideas every week, your startup will likely fail for a variety of reasons including but not limited to a sub-par product that does a lot of things but not one thing well, and a convoluted marketing message that confuses consumers. Second, we're a team. There is no "I" that can sit at home and work whenever they feel like inspiration has granted them the ability to produce. I have to manage the product and UX (try communicating that over IM), another guy is responsible for the iPhone which is entirely supported by web services (a 3rd person). Lastly, I've spent about 13 years working very closely with designers and developers, and I can't decide which group has the most self-appointed prima donnas. You either got it or you don't, but those that don't have a lot of reasons why they need special treatment. I generally avoid these people and I hope they avoid me. I don't have time to drop pedals in front of their feet where they walk. I go to great lengths to make our culture and work environment relaxed and enjoyable for the TEAM, but there's no room for loners who need special treatment just to create.