---
title: How do founders avoid financial stress while building a startup?
description: Why do startup founders feel guilty taking money out? Is it bad to take profits from my startup before selling?
---

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# How do founders avoid financial stress while building a startup?

## Why do startup founders feel guilty taking money out? Is it bad to take profits from my startup before selling?

Listen to this podcast about why founders should prioritize taking personal financial gains during their startup journey here: [https://www.startups.com/podcast/always-take-money-off-the-table](https://www.startups.com/podcast/always-take-money-off-the-table)

In this episode, founders Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan explore why many startup founders neglect to take personal financial gains during their company’s growth. They discuss how this mindset can lead to burnout and missed opportunities for long-term financial stability.

Founders should take money off the table whenever there’s a reasonable opportunity—whether through salary, profits, or secondary sales—to ensure they personally benefit from the startup’s success and maintain the stamina to keep building.

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