Jason M. Lemkin says tech workers must choose: a stable $180-220k corporate job with a luxury watch, or an all-in startup grind working 6.5 days a week for eight-figure equity. He won't invest in anyone trying to do both.
Sorry guys, we no longer get to breathe. If you want to make any money— do you want to make money from your equity, or do you want to make $180,000 a year? Like, this is going to be your choice in tech. Do you want to make money from your equity, or do you want to be well— or do you want to watch? Honestly, this is the choice. So you want to watch, or you want to make $10 million or $100 million? There's nothing in the middle. You don't get to make $10 million for working 18 hours a week. You get a watch. You get an Omega. You want an Omega, or you want to be rich? Make your choice, boys. And then pick. And I pick your path. I say to people, pick your path. Go work for that old software company growing 8% a year. Go work there and make your $180,000 or $220,000 and wear a really nice— they all have nice watches at these companies now. Or go work in the office 6.5 days a week at the Corgi Cafe with a chance to make 8 figures. That's the choice today. This is a different world, and I don't wanna invest in anyone in the middle, and I can't afford to invest in the folks that want watches. Enjoy your $12,000 Rolex or your $8,000 Omega. I hope, I hope it's meaningful to you. I hope, I hope it's meaningful to you.
