Ask HN: No Profitability and Raises why the guilt?

    - This post.
    - "Need a raise how to ask"
    - "100% burnt out"

Quit.

Give your legally required notice then use the time to start looking for something else.

This is obviously contingent on having enough savings to stay off the streets until you find something new.

Maybe get temp work through an agency. Depending on the market you're in, that should be enough to tide you over.

Don't stay. Give notice, move on.

That being said: I think you're right about getting other offers lined up. I think you should start interviewing, go out into the market, and get 3 - 5 solid offers lined up. Then bring those offers to your employer and leave it in their hands.

If they won't pay you market-rate (after showing them what market rate is), then leave; simple as that.

To answer your question, profitability plays in regardless of whether they raised money or not, but it weighs far heavier when a company is bootstrapped. Even then though, smart founders will work to take care of their staff so their staff take care of the clients. If they are backed and raised a Series A or further then there is no excuse for not, at least, being very close to market.

Just my 2 cents on profitability too, a company cannot claim to be profitable until the staff is paid competitively and founders are taking a reasonable salary for their role and size of firm. Otherwise the company is not really profitable.

As for staying or leaving, my bet is they will keep making promises but unless you see behavior differences or a light at the end of the tunnel, then it may be time to move on regardless.

One other point, if the company has been taking care of you in other ways like vacations, small bonuses when possible, full health care, and other perks/benefits, then I'd likely feel better for a longer period of time, especially if they were open and recognize that they are underpaying, but it wouldn't last forever.

You have some choices. Wait for the next big project, then ask for a fair raise, and for once, don't take the weak counter. But really you should just get another job. Then you will find out what you are really worth.

Good luck.

As an investor you need to come at it like an investor: Is this business a good investment of those lost wages? Are they growing? Does the business model make sense?

As an employee: You'll never be rewarded for your "loyalty." They won't make it up to you later. If you are being chronically underpaid you should consider finding another job. A lot of startups churn through tons of inexpensive employees, and few if any are later rewarded.

Now if you believe in the company and what to stick with it is entirely up to you.

Edit to add. Amazon is not profitable but has massive, massive cash flow. That is unlikely the case with your employer.