[dumpster_fire]

Firstly, fan of your company.

Isn't what you described as The Slog essentially just SMEs? That's not so bad. Perpetual meteoric growth for everyone is not healthy on a macro level. Couple of friends of mine are in what you describe as the worst outcome, yet they can buy houses and put their kids through schools (outside the US).

There's a middle layer of B2B that props up the economy in a more fragmented manner, and I don't think they should be dunked on.

[eastdakota]

It’s fine if that’s your expectation. It’s fine if you’re bootstrapping and comfortable with your level of success. It’s hard if you thought you were building a rocket ship, raised money selling the vision of the rocket ship, and benchmark your success versus others who built rocket ships.

[ymolodtsov]

It could be a pretty good SME for the founders, but there are a few possible issues. 1. You have investors who expect returns and don't want (or can't have) dividends. 2. You have employees with stock options that want them to become something. 3. Your company could be set up as a C-Corp, if your intention is to have a stable business and earn dividends you'd rather have it as an LLC with founders as members.

Basically, issues happen when you take VC money but don't end up going the growth startup path. Buffer had the same problem, but they managed to earn enough money to buy their investors out.