That first time you pay yourself $20MM sure feels like that, and repurchasing from your employees or paying out large bonuses sure can for them too.
> like IPO or acquisition.
Have you been through either? "Take it easy now" is the opposite of what happens in an IPO -- you're now subject to the scrutiny of the financial press, SEC, and random shareholders when before you could send monthly updates to your board. And unless you avoided an earn-out in your acquisition, the slog just continues.
