Ask HN: I'm lost. Please help

Looking ahead, you don't like your plan or your partners. I don't know how much of the IP is yours legally, but you can try to find a new partner or work on your own if you strongly believe in the product.

If you want to quit and don't want a "normal" job, consider going back to school. You might be able to quickly patch some holes in your education and meet potential cofounders for new projects.

One quote I like: "when all else is lost, the future remains." Good luck!

Alright homey, been in nearly your exact shoes- echoing the remarks of others here's what you do: OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT

You've been sold a bill of goods and it hasn't delivered, these startup ventures in some ways are "supposed" to hurt a bit but not like this. Get out yesterday and be firm with your decision.

It is soooo much easier said than done (esp on an internet forum) but here's a coping mechanism: 1) remember you absolutely do not need to line up another gig in order to leave this one- this sounds like a loser/sucker bet and you can fall back on side gigs; 2)The "family" aspect makes things tricky but luckily you can work or not work wherever you damn please.

The crucial thing is to stop the hemorrhaging ASAP, get the hell out pronto.

Caveat: Even if they come up with a way to pay you a BS-y salary, without knowing the specifics of this situation, from what you describe I still say it's time to hit the road and get on with your life and other ventures.

1) If this is your life and soul then find a job to support your self and keep working on this startup. Words like 'I can't imagine working for a big corp' are not going to help you at anytime in your life. You work to make your dreams come true.

2) You haven't been paid in 15 months, so what? Your co-founders haven't either. It's been 15months you should have already launched your product. It takes a team to get to where you want to go, stop blaming and start doing.

It is never too late to fold.

Whatever your investment was, consider it lost. The experiences you gathered getting the stuff done are all you gained and nobody can take that away.

An ultimatum might give you the opportunity to negotiate rights to the assets you created during your work (If there is no formal incorporation yet you might own the stuff anyway).

I'm sure you'll find something worth your energy! Good Luck!