If you are bootstrapped, it is extremely tough especially in the early days to hire good talent in general. Hence the co-founder thing. But even if you are past

If you are bootstrapped, it is extremely tough especially in the early days to hire good talent in general. Hence the co-founder thing. But even if you are past initial stages but bootstrapped, it is tough to compete with VC money to pay big and attract really good candidates. That is the unfortunate reality.