This is very relevant to the discussion about Dropbox - which I really don't expect you to respond to being they are sort of a competitor (yeah I know -- not really https://www.backblaze.com/blog/sync-vs-backup-vs-storage/). But, how BackBlaze decided to run their business (bootstrapping) and how Dropbox decided to run theirs (VC backed early on and still not profitable), is the perfect example of how taking on VC funding rarely leads to a good long term customer focused outcome.

Also of note, unlike Dropbox, Backblaze was able to release a new slightly more enterprisey product - B2 - without losing focus on the main product.

On the other hand, it does take a certain amount of 'privilege" (yes I hate that word, couldn't think of a better one) to have five founders who could afford to not take a salary for a year....

But one criticism, any time you post a link to the Backblaze blog it should come with a warning. It quickly led me down a TVTropes type rabbit hole of reading more interesting articles.....