That's because you've only met vc-backed founders, I.e., founders gambling with other people's money. Many bootstrapped founders go years paying themselves mas

That's because you've only met vc-backed founders, I.e., founders gambling with other people's money. Many bootstrapped founders go years paying themselves massively below market to fuel the rocket ship so to speak. Would you make the same choice if the money came from your own savings or those of close friends and family?