I think it's irresponsible to hire employees at that stage then. Either they are co-founders and are buying into the struggle equally or they are your friends a

I think it's irresponsible to hire employees at that stage then. Either they are co-founders and are buying into the struggle equally or they are your friends and they're doing you a favour and can afford it (or can sink the cost for you because of your long-standing relationship already). To ask this of a general person who is looking for a job not a dream would be poor form IMO.