The problem is not that the MC founders never intended to sell, then changed their mind after they reached an interesting sum. The problem is just that they wer

The problem is not that the MC founders never intended to sell, then changed their mind after they reached an interesting sum. The problem is just that they were so certain they will never sell and talked about it so many times, that (some of) their employees now feel betrayed. I am certain they never wanted to screw anyone and they identified with their "bootstrapping, never sell" culture. I am guilty of the raising bootstrapping to pedestal for many years and understand their values. Learning from this, it may be good not to a) identify with current beliefs as we might change priorities and learn new things in the future, and b) talk in length about our current beliefs. Perhaps "we don't think we will ever sell and have optimized our business for that, but who knows what future will bring" might have worked better.