Hope you're as well as can be expected given the circumstances.

> Being single founder has it's merit, but when things go south with your health or anything personal; you'll loose your company.

I've been a solo and co-founder before.

Yes, in the early days you can't afford to hire staff. It's all on you as a solo founder and the risk (incl. burnout) is high.

But, as soon as the company is doing ok, you can and should hire an employee to shoulder some of the responsibilities a cofounder would otherwise take on.

Just because their compensation is weighted more towards cash than equity doesn't mean they can't be just as effective.