Ownership of the business is just a token of value that you control. If you can compensate everyone with adequate salaries—that means, higher than the equivalent at more stable companies—then that is totally fine. If not, then exchanging some of your control instead is a totally valid thing to do, and weird preconceptions about “your own blood and sweat” are just silly things to care about.
Frankly higher salaries are my preferred option and one I would always push for, for both myself and others, if possible - equity is essentially valueless at an early stage anyway.
Frankly higher salaries are my preferred option and one I would always push for, for both myself and others, if possible - equity is essentially valueless at an early stage anyway.