I'd obviously love to be bill gates rich, but never at the cost of my own ethics. And I don't understand people who are willing to leave their ethics on the floor for money.
I just have a sensibility that would never allow me to be rich and a fuckhead. I know that sounds pretentious, but that's how I feel about it. I'd much rather grow a company slowly and do well by everyone who works for me than the grow big and fuck everything else.
The thing is, I gave 20 hours a week for a company exactly like that for 4-5 years and I was genuinely sad when I left (it was my decision). It easily had the best working environment I've ever experienced. I LIKED the people there, and we had all been there for so long that we trusted each other.
When I think about that company vs the startup culture you always read about, it's an easy decision. I like working at small companies, but not ones with that startup culture.