To add a counter-anecdote, I left a startup while still having a good amount of faith in the company. Left after finishing work on a couple of their products be

To add a counter-anecdote, I left a startup while still having a good amount of faith in the company. Left after finishing work on a couple of their products because I wanted a lifestyle change and had an opportunity to strike out on my own venture. The product was great, but engineering culture was a death march, partially due to the seasonal industry (hardware/toys) and partially due to management. Oddly enough, a bunch of other engineers also left shortly after -- after all the hard work was done. Company is profitable now due to increased sales, but also cutting salary costs. Strike price was still low when I left, so I bought my options.