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If Fred’s companies want to compensate me without equity, I’m happy to consider it. At this stage of my career my annual compensation is approaching 7 figures,
by sulam 9y ago
If Fred’s companies want to compensate me without equity, I’m happy to consider it. At this stage of my career my annual compensation is approaching 7 figures, balanced however you want between bonus (with reasonable targets), equity (properly risk-adjusted) and cash twice a month. I’d even be willing to consider deferred compensation properly escrowed with the time value of money factored in.
Somehow, though, I don’t think Fred’s companies are going to be willing to pay me what I can demonstrate is my current income (via IRS filings if necessary) without equity being a component of the compensation, in fact without it being the majority of the overall package. I’m okay with that, because I only work for companies where I strongly believe in the product and the team.
This may all sound fairly entitled, but if you’re as lucky in your career as I’ve been, your job has an opportunity cost that is measured in things like spending less time on my own projects, my family, and general self-improvement —- and this opportunity cost is pretty high.
- austenallred 9y agoI can’t imagine any scenario that makes sense for you to go work at an early stage startup. That said, it’s fair to say you’re not at the average level of compensation. Simply put, your opportunity cost is way too high for you to take risks.
- sulam 9y agoYeah, you’re probably right. I stay involved with the startup universe by advising CTOs. It’s fun and helps me appreciate my life. I _am_ considering startups for the future, but the options I’m thinking about will be things I need to see exist in the world. I’m direly concerned about climate change, and I’ve come to the conclusion that carbon capture is the only thing that is going to save us from species suicide. Current carbon capture technology doesn’t scale up very well, and with only one exception that I’ve found, only works when you put it in a power plant. I’m spending a lot of spare time right now investigating alternative approaches and what skills I need to pick up to do something meaningful here.