At PD, we strive to build creators, leaders, and future partners. Naturally, as our company has grown, we’ve noticed a recurring sentiment from some teammates and even candidates. That sentiment is:
“One day, I’d love to have ownership in the company.”
It’s a great ambition, and one that our partners respect. So how do we get from here — an employee — to there, a shareholder in the company?
That is what this memo attempts to address.
Let’s start here:
We believe it’s important to clarify what ownership means to us, and how believe it’s earned.
Ownership Isn’t Given—It’s Earned
The partners who currently hold shares in Pixel Dreams didn’t ask for ownership. They invested in the company —not just with their skills, but with years of sacrifice, lower salaries, and relentless commitment to the company’s success. They weren’t just here for a job. They were here to build something bigger than themselves.
From our understanding, there are two primary paths to ownership in a company:
- Investing Capital
Buying into the company with real financial investment. - Investing Time & Sacrifice
Dedicating years of work, often at reduced compensation, to build long-term value.
The original Pixel Dreams partners chose the second path. They put in the hours, took significant pay cuts, and made strategic decisions that helped us grow. They bet on the company’s future and their own at a time when the risks were high, and guarantees were none.
Questions for Those Who Want Ownership
So, for those who want a stake in Pixel Dreams, there are a few questions to get you started.
- Are you willing to do what it takes?
- Are you committed to the long-term success of the company, even when it’s hard?
- Are you ready to invest, not just with talent, but with real sacrifice?
In addition to asking yourself a few key questions, we recommend asking the current partners about their journey.
- How much of a pay cut did you take and for how long?
- What else did you do, sacrifice, and give up to be considered ownership in the company?
- How long did it take for you to eventually be considered?
- How much longer did it take to earn ownership?
It’s wise to remember that ownership isn’t a perk, nor is it earned by tenure. It’s a responsibility—one that comes with risk, accountability, long-term thinking, and the sacrifice of time and money.
A Culture of Growth & Leadership
At Pixel Dreams, we believe in growth, opportunity, and rewarding those who invest in the company. If you’re serious about ownership, the path is there. But it’s not handed out—it’s earned.
If you’re still interested, our current partners welcome the conversation.
The future belongs to those willing to build it.
