Myth vs. Reality: What It’s Really Like to Work in a Tech Startup

Maureen Weeks, Director of Finance & Admin, has a front-row seat to what it really takes to scale a high-growth company. As she prepares for retirement, she shares what drew her to startups, what makes StellarAlgo different, and some lessons she has learned about growth, culture, and staying grounded when everything is moving fast.
 

How did you come to join StellarAlgo, and what drew you to a tech startup in the first place?
When I first entered the tech startup world 20 years ago, I didn’t do it on purpose. I was looking for work and had a connection to a small company. Coming from the restaurant and service industry, I didn’t realize that I’d already been living in startup mode: constantly solving problems on the fly, no manual, no roadmap, just figuring it out together. That same energy is what drew me in, and what’s kept me here ever since. By the time I joined StellarAlgo in 2019 in a contract position, I’d worked with a few tech companies and had a pretty good sense of what I was looking for. I was ready to be part of something dynamic again, something that wasn’t just talking about change, but living it.

Back then, StellarAlgo had nearly $2 million in annual recurring revenue, some impressive early customers, and no internal finance function. They were scrappy and successful, but at a tipping point. The founders asked me to help set up some forecasting models, maybe a financial workbook or two. I wasn’t sure how long-term the contract would be. 

What I saw early on impressed me: strong contracts, true recurring revenue, a real platform that customers were using and relying on, and a leadership team with passion, vision and experience. StellarAlgo’s CEO, Vincent Ircandia, had a clear understanding of the problem he wanted to solve. Sean Fynn, CTO, and Joseph King, COO, whom I had worked with before, both brought deep startup experience. And the customers? The caliber was higher than what I’d seen at many more mature companies.

I found myself thinking, I could build something here. By 2020, I was all in.

What were some of the biggest misconceptions you had about working at a startup, and what did you quickly learn was the reality? 

A lot of people think startups are all foosball tables, candy-filled kitchens, and happy hour vibes. In the early 2000s, that was often the case. 

StellarAlgo has always felt different. From day one, there’s been a clear, authentic focus on well-being. Not performative wellness, but a real culture of taking care of ourselves and each other. That focus came from the top, long before we had official programs or a playbook. 

What’s also different here is the balance we’ve struck between flexibility and accountability. We’re not rigid. We trust people, and we also understand that with freedom comes responsibility. I’ve worked with some great companies over the years, but I know that level of mutual respect isn’t a given, and it’s one of the reasons I knew this was the startup I wanted to finish my career at.

Building culture and systems with intention
One of the myths I’ve experienced over the years is that investing in finance, HR, or operations teams can wait. That you don’t really need structure until you’re much bigger. In my experience, by the time you think you need those things, you’re already playing catch-up. 

I remember pushing to bring in a full-time People & Culture lead early on. We had the vision and heart, but we needed more support. We were doubling headcount, and I knew instinct alone wouldn’t scale. It felt too early by historic practices, but it was exactly the right time. The early People & Culture work laid the foundation for what we now know as our culture. Amanda Campbell, Director of People & Culture, has taken that foundation and built something remarkable on top of it. That early investment paid off in ways I don’t think we could have predicted. 

Evolving with Purpose
If there’s one constant in startup life, it’s change. That’s not a myth, it’s a fact. 

In all the companies I’ve worked at, I’ve never seen change happen as frequently, or as meaningfully, as it does at StellarAlgo. However, it’s not random. It’s driven by growth. The faster the company grows, the more often you’ll pivot. The scale of decisions gets bigger, and the stakes get higher. 

What’s remained consistent is how we make decisions: grounded in curiosity, focused on impact, always with an eye on the long game. Vince has this ability to stay two steps ahead, anticipating what’s coming and building towards it, without losing sight of who we are or why we’re here.

What advice would you give someone considering making the jump from a traditional company to a startup like StellarAlgo? 
If you’re thinking of joining StellarAlgo or any high-growth startup, here’s what I’d tell you: 

Come with an open mind and be ready to learn. Be okay with ambiguity and excited by possibility. The pace isn’t for everyone but if you’re someone who thrives on momentum, who loves solving new problems, and who finds energy in being surrounded by people who care deeply about their work, you’ll love it here. While startup life isn’t always easy, the payoff is real. The impact you can make, the relationships you build, and the opportunities for growth are unlike anything you’ll find in a more traditional environment. 

Signing Off with Gratitude
As I head toward retirement, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what this chapter has meant. I knew when I joined StellarAlgo 6 years ago that it would be the last startup I worked at. What I didn’t know is just how meaningful that would become. I’ll miss the work but more than that, I’ll miss the people, the team that rolls up their sleeves, figures things out together, and keeps building toward something bigger than themselves. 

It’s been a joy to be part of this ride, and I’ll be cheering from the sidelines, excited for what’s next.  

Learn more about working at StellarAlgo on the careers page.  

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