This is where many struggling entrepreneurs mislead themselves. When working for a startup (or a young, growing company, if you don’t care for the terminology), it’s easy to think “we’re all in this together.”

In fact: you’re an owner. They’re an employee.

At the end of the day, they boarded a low-risk train; they agreed to exchange time for money.

Owners, on the other hand, boarded the high-risk train; agreeing to exchange time and money for potential opportunity.

Don’t shortchange your employees. They’re not owners.

(Readers, I’ve helped a number of entrepreneurs navigate this exact situation. If you are struggling, please reach out before it is too late.)