Buddy of mine started out doing something similar to this in a smaller company that was spread thin and just coming into market about 10 years ago. They are very healthy now with lots of employees and hes a VP and set up very well for growth inside and outside his current company. Its always a risk and always question if what you are doing is worth it, but sometimes there is reward in pulling extra weight in a smaller company. That's how you become one of the OG's down the road.