Should I stay or should I leave a kinda failing startup?

Hey guys,


I just joined and thought I asked this question to the room - Apologies in advance for the long story and if it's a bit all over the place. Please no hate. I'm really happy that I was employed during 2020 #covid, especially since so many people have lost theirs. It is also hard to get employed after a year out of sales, so I am super lucky and really appreciate it. Please know that.


After a year of traveling, I came back when lockdown hit. Luckily, I found myself in a sales role at a startup (startup is 5 years old) where I am currently making a little less than half the base salary I got pre-traveling.


Due to the pandemic, no one is buying the product but due to a funding round before the pandemic, there is money for most of us to stay. ( it will run out by 01/2022).

There is also a lot wrong with the tech part ( loads of bugs, CTO doesn't know to code, the platform is outdated) and some other stuff (website crashes constantly, we got hacked, all emails go to spam). I have sold to exactly 2 companies so far, because of the bugs, people experience during their trial (we also have a slight software thing that may or may not be a legality issue) prospects do not convert to customers.

We look amazing on the outside but we are basically dead on the inside.


I recently got a promotion for a manager role that I really wanted (still on the same salary) because " At some point, we will hire some SDRs/ junior AE's".

Our CEO is very optimistic, but I am not sure how we are going to pay these SDRs/ junior AE's and if the product will finally be ready to be used/sold.


Where I am now is that I for sure will stay where I am until 01/2022, because let's be fair the longer you are with an employer the better it looks on your resume and the more employable you are. ( I feel I should mention that I am also in my late 30's).


Come 2022, when our current funding money will run out, I will need to move to a company where I am selling a product that is legal to use, that people need, and also where I get a paycheck that will help me save for retirement again and that I can use to save for a home.


Questions for the room, only answer the question you feel like answering:

  • Do you think I am being a d*ck for already planning my escape?
  • If we don't hire any SDRs/ junior AE's, should I keep this new title on my cv when looking for a new role? - it is where I saw myself going in my career.
  • Do you recommend I stay on as long as possible - until there is no more money left in the company and we all become redundant?


Thank you very much for reading this whole thing, and thank you in advance for answering a question. Take care.



🤘 Personal Growth
✌️ Growing Pains
💆‍♂ Mindset
21
SADNES5
Politicker
13
down voters are marketing spies
Promo with more responsibility... No wage increase. 

Pull pin my friend.

Get out ASAP.
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
Dude I so badly want to!

Chep
WR Officer
6
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
Take care of yourself first is how I always look at it. Companies are created to make money and that is the sad truth in most cases. (there are some great not for profit companies that might disagree with my point but I'm talking in general) Unless you have personal relationships with the leaders in a company 99/100 times they dgaf about you so no you are not being a dick you are being smart🤝
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
Thanks mate! 
Salespreuner
Big Shot
1
Regional Sales Director
Rightly said. +1
Slavic
Fire Starter
4
Director - Enterprise Sales
Leave. Chalk it up. Staying at a failed start up too long will only make you look like you were part of the “problem” there. 
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
You know, I didnt even think of that!

Trinity
WR Officer
2
BusDev
I would start looking until you find a better fit for you where you can grow. Not very promising if you only have 2 customers within 5 years unless they have exclusivity which doesn't sound like they do. 
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
It's a cool idea but executed poorly. you are also right, there is no exclusivity.
Gottapumpthosenumbers
Opinionated
2
Biz Dev
1. You're not being a dick for thinking about leaving. While of course there's something to be said about loyalty and relationships, you have to take care of yourself. When the company runs out of money, they won't be able to take care of you. (Although it doesn't sound like they are taking care of you right now, anyway.)
2. You could certainly note that you were chosen for a promotion on your resume/CV. Regardless of the fact that the company can't provide you a team, you were still  seen to be a leader.
3. If I were you, I would not stay until the cash runs out. Future employers could absolutely see that as a red flag. Were you part of the problem? Do you lack the foresight to see when something isn't working? Questions like this may not be fair, but potential future employers will be asking them nonetheless.

It sounds like you know that leaving is the best decision, but you're nervous to make the jump. I get it, I've been there. Try asking yourself this question, "Is this company actively looking out for my best interests?" That should help you find the objective answer to your conundrum.
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
Yes, you are absolutely right. I am hesitant to leave because even without sales they are keeping me around and I was also out for a year before that travelling. 
I am actually coming up to 1 year and 3 months on LinkedIn, think it's a good time to just get over it and find something else.
THANK YOU

P.s: I wish I could give this multiple +1's
Gottapumpthosenumbers
Opinionated
0
Biz Dev
Happy to help!
paddy
WR Officer
2
Director of Business Development
Eh, I'd say leave
RahRahBooty
Executive
1
Business Development
Leave. I don’t know about you, but I don’t put myself through the mental beat down involved with sales to not sell and make decent money. 

There’s a ton of sales jobs out there. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been there if you know how to sell yourself.
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
I'm on the hunt again, getting an interview is easy but explaining my time at my current company is where it all goes downhill.. 
RahRahBooty
Executive
1
Business Development
In what aspect? Performance? 
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
Well, except for selling to 2 small startups, there is nothing I achieved in the year and a half there. 
I worked on some marketing stuff for them, created some content etc. but it's not what recruiters/managers want to hear. 
RahRahBooty
Executive
1
Business Development
Don’t tell them that. It’s all about painting the picture in your favor. 

Example: I’ve crushed it at every sales job I’ve had except when I started my current one. The way I talk about my first year here is “I finished top of my hiring class in revenue” .. because I did. You’re selling a product that prospects test and it can’t even convert them lol that has to say something. 


DizzyRascal
Opinionated
2
BizDev
I did actually crush it at every sales job I have ever had except for this one. You're right! I need to paint it in my favor and stop being I my feelings about it. 
I'm really good at doing that in a sales call, but recruiters can smell the fear on me
RahRahBooty
Executive
1
Business Development
As a sales manager once told me.. fake it til you make it 😂
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
😂😂
Lejajo
Praised Answer
1
Director of Sales
Start looking now to find a better spot. The product is already not working well and you're not confident in the development. Your promotion doesn't seem to be very real which is unfortunate because it's where you see yourself going. 

Run yourself like a business. The smart move is to keep moving forward which doesn't sound like is possible in your current spot. 
thegrinch
Politicker
1
SDR
There's value in being associated with successful things
handysales
Politicker
1
Enterprise Sales Lead
Dude, no shame in getting out now. Better to search and jump ship now than after the boat’s already sunk. 
sketchysales
Politicker
1
Sales Manager
Whats the benefit of staying longer other than your CV?  Can you pick up a better paid job immediately or at least a better growth opportunity elsewhere?  

You are arguably at the prime age of moving into a senior role so you should have some confidence moving into a new company with that behind you.

If I were in your shoes, I would consider the future of the current company.  If you are absolutely sure it has no future and will cease to be when funds run out, id get out of there sooner rather than later.  He who waits is lost.
CREAM
Good Citizen
1
Manager
Start looking, you owe nothing to anyone. You can interview for any job and say no until you find the right one. It took me 9 months to find the right job for me before I said yes. I must have taken 20 interviews during that time. You also find out your worth. 
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
I did a reach out on Friday morning to my top 5 companies to work for and I have scheduled the first interviews with 2 of them for this week - fingers crossed!

Stardust
WR Officer
1
President
I think you answered your own question.  Bail.
Bueller
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I was just in this exact same position. Left for a job with better chance of advancement more aligned with my goals. No shame in doing what’s best for you. 
PedraPeanut
Old School Bravo
1
Director of Inside Sales
If the product is not making an impact.... that's a tough road ahead for sales
Kiona
Opinionated
1
Head of Business Development
Someone else will prioritize your future if you don’t. 

GTFO
Biznasty
Opinionated
1
Lead Business Development Manager
I think you should jump ship now. If you don’t use your sales powers for good it becomes miserable very quickly. Some people are dreamers and it sounds like your CEO is. 

The thing about selling a product like you’ve described is that your face, name, and reputation are associated with it. Customers and prospects won’t think the CTO can’t code, they’ll think you’re a prick who sold them some junk that they believed was going to solve a problem they have. Straight up damaging your personal brand.

 Sounds like the product sucks, they cut your pay for not traveling in a pandemic, and they are asking you to do more work/more responsibility for the same money. Go somewhere that values you and is thriving. You deserve more.
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
1
AM
This sounds exactly like the start up I just left. I just got out and recommend you do the same as soon as you can land a solid job.
cw95
Politicker
1
Sales Development Lead
I'd say stay a little longer until COVID eases...just so you don't find yourself in an unhireable position. But also, business is business, have to keep an eye on your pocket and career not on someone else's! 
DizzyRascal
Opinionated
1
BizDev
That has been on my mind as well, there are so many redundancies in my area.
I am currently doing a reach out and have has some conversations to see what is out there,  but have yet to be in a full process. 
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