Early employee at a UK startup that started in 2001. In 2007, exercised options for a cost in low five figures. Company loaned me the money to exercise and I co

Early employee at a UK startup that started in 2001. In 2007, exercised options for a cost in low five figures. Company loaned me the money to exercise and I continued to work there. When I left in 2012, I paid off the loan with cash. Company sold in 2018 and the ROI was substantial - received a sum in the high six figures. In the next company, I bought shares outright during one of the investment rounds for a few thousand pounds, and later, in an acquisition, I had the opportunity to sell my shares again - for £0. Lessons learnt: be patient (I held options or shares in the first company for 17 years!) and don't bank on shares as the route to riches.