wetzler

That is awesome that you made the jump from enterprise to working for yourself (or at least being able to set your own work pace). Are you independent or do you work with a firm? I think my consulting firm had some flexible work options. I know one person who worked only 4 days per week. But I don't think I ever saw anyone go half-time. That's a great option you have.

I agree the wording is a bit awkward here. Hopefully my reply to Peter clarifies it some :)

You're right, Peter. I am a very early employee, but even considering my equity stake, this was not a good move if the only measurement is personal net worth.

What I failed to convey is the feeling of accomplishment from personally contributing to the company, and the notion of ownership in the company. In a huge consultancy, you never really feel like you're personally moving the needle of the enterprise. You're paid for your work and you get bonuses based on company performance, but that's just one form of compensation.

I like that in a small startup, salary & equity compensation is just one piece of the picture. I like that I can increase the value of the company itself, and the company itself is important to me personally. I'm compensated tangibly in the form of salary & equity and intangibly in the form of pride.

That sounds great! I think I should have clarified in my post that I worked for one of the big 5 consulting firms here in the US. It was a salaried job. Independent consulting is much more entrepreneurial and I imagine you have quite a bit more freedom that way.

great story. really captures the excitement of the startup experience!