LasVegasLyle

Senior Account Executive

High paying but minimal equity, what would you do

I work at a startup SaaS company in Enterprise Sales and I've been here for several years. I enjoy my colleagues, I like the company, & I like the industry I'm selling into. I've made President's Club ever year, and safe to say the paychecks are very very healthy.

However, after a recent valuation I've come to realize that my 11,000 options (1/2 vested) I have are essentially worthless. If i were to magically accelerate my vesting schedule & they all vested today, and I sold all of it same day, I would make ~$500 before taxes. For the record, even before this economic downturn my shares still weren't worth a whole lot based on my strike price

Curious to know what your thoughts are here - would you stick it out and keep the paychecks rolling in knowing you have essentially 0 stake in the company's success, or would you find a role where your equity actually means something?

☁️ Software Tech

12

19 comments

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braintank

Politicker

9

Enterprise Account Executive

Actual money > hypothetical money

CuriousFox

WR Officer

2

🦊

That's exactly why I dfw equity.

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

1

Director Sales and Market Development

I fox with it

CuriousFox

WR Officer

0

🦊

🦊

DungeonsNDemos

Big Shot

2

Rolling 20's all day

This is the way

CuriousFox

WR Officer

0

🦊

🦊

Panda4489

Politicker

0

Head of Some Shit

1,000% agree here You're better off taking the real money investing it somewhere and watching that motherfucker grow then you are betting your hopes and dreams on equity.

TennisandSales

Politicker

6

Head Of Sales

i mean there is a secret option #3 you didnt mention. Which is just ask for MORE shares.
Hard for us to tell you what to do here because choosing OTE vs Equity is a personal choice.

for me? Id stay. sounds like you are killing it and making good money. thats hard to find these days.

braintank

Politicker

5

Enterprise Account Executive

This is the way. "Order what you want"

punishedlad

Tycoon

1

Business Development Team Lead

I wouldn't ever bank your employment on stock options. They're usually a "nice to have" and not a "need to have." If you're performing this well, I don't think it would be out of the question for you to ask for more shares (if that's what you really want).

RandyLahey

Politicker

3

Account Executive

I've always preached $ > shares. Shares are meaningless as options until you exercise them. Then, what? Oh, you're in a blackout, can't trade them for 4 months.
Oh the price tanked 40% in that month, sucks to suck.
Oh you sold all your shares after exercising? Here's a form from legal to fill out.
They can, in certain circumstances, be great; I've had to good fortune of being offered a tranche of shares that 2x in my time at a SaaS company. I was lucky to be able to sell them when I could, as over the next year they tanked. Many of my colleagues accepted lower pay for increased shares, all to watch it go down the drain.
Sounds like you're in a fantastic situation though, so I would focus on increasing that base.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

1

Sales Rep

Congrats on making President's club every year, just making it once is a huge achievement!

It would be very frustrating how little value your stock options are worth, but seems like you like everything about the role.

You like the pay, the people, the product, and the industry. Not many people can say that.

If having equity in the company is on the top of your list compared to everything else, sure you can test the waters. But it seems like you are in a good spot overall when you think about everything.

So if you find something perfect, go for it! But it would take me a lot to leave that situation.

But also, I am not someone going to presidents clubs on the regular.

Diablo

Politicker

0

Sr. AE

Man you are doing a great job, if I were you I would just focus more or what I am doing better and get more money printed. I was given options when I joined a company and within few months company got acquired and I lost everything as I had just joined the company. Who cares? I never focussed there as it was just good to have for me rather than what I can actually have.
Choice is yours :)

Pachacuti

Politicker

0

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I can wipe myself for a week with the worthless equity I have been given over my career. Just pay me.

Maximas

Tycoon

0

Senior Sales Executive

Just try to request more shares if possible.To me a decent payment and a good working environment would always have the priority!

RevGen86

Good Citizen

0

Enterprise AE

I’d try to negotiate for more based on your social capital and performance.

Justatitle

Big Shot

0

Account Executive

Equity has a 95% fail rate. Take the guaranteed money and go invest in the stock market.

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

0

Director Sales and Market Development

If you say this-

I work at a startup SaaS company in Enterprise Sales and I've been here for several years. I enjoy my colleagues, I like the company, & I like the industry I'm selling into. I've made President's Club ever year, and safe to say the paychecks are very very healthy.
Who gives a shit about the rest in an uncertain market. You could go to a place that gives you equity worth a shit ton and hate everybody, never sell and get fired or quit before they even vest. Sell more and make your options worth something (not being mean you get it)

AnchorPoint

Politicker

0

Business Coach

Depends upon your goal and what is important to you.

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