Working at a big company often makes you a small part of a large machine, which limits your learning and slows your pace of growth compared to creating your own startup where you are responsible for everything.

Discuss the opportunity cost of working at a startup versus a large tech company, emphasizing the unique experiences and growth opportunities available.

Big companies excel at retaining employees by offering signing bonuses and regular stock option grants, making it difficult for young people to leave and pursue their own ventures. Working at a big tech company can be a trap because it often leads to increased spending on lifestyle, such as nicer apartments and vacations, rather than gaining valuable experience for starting your own company.

If you're ambitious and paying attention, you might not need to work at a big company or have a boss; you can control your own destiny during these unique moments of opportunity.

I regret not investing in Airbnb when I had the chance; I was focused on my own startup and missed the opportunity to meet with them before they signed with Sequoia. If you move slowly in investing, you're likely to face adverse selection; companies that take too long to engage may not be the best opportunities.

If you enter a big company with clear goals, like saving money or gaining specific experience, you can benefit from the experience without falling into the trap of staying longer than necessary due to financial incentives.

In large companies, internal politics can drag down your personal standards, making it harder to succeed compared to the freedom of starting your own venture.

I realized too late that I had wasted time doubting my place in the company, which hindered my ability to push forward.

If you stay in a big company for too long, your energy levels can drop, making it harder to launch your own projects later.