And even more, when growing the business, are you growing costs faster than profits? Yes, this employee is necessary. But will they add more profit than they cost, at this stage in the business; or should we hire this person in a few months?
This is because many founders get used to being able to go back and ask for more money if things aren't going well...right up until they get turned down. I'm being unfair, but it's always seemed like investors play a parent, and the founder plays a child, and it's just a child asking their parent for more money. And I honestly believe this level of entitlement is necessary to be a successful founder.