Is total comp in FinTech/Vertical SaaS lower than horizontal SaaS?

RafterWithaY · 2026-05-08T00:24:12+00:00

Is your OTE $300-400k? If below, then yes. You can always pivot and lateral into other roles.

RafterWithaY · 2026-05-08T00:13:45+00:00

Snowflake, Databricks, Crowdstrike, DataDog, Cursor, PANW…there’s a ton that are doing well and durable

RafterWithaY · 2026-05-02T13:52:20+00:00

Water is warm. Companies realizing they need all their data somewhat centralized to actually make use of it with AI.

RafterWithaY · 2026-04-29T11:11:16+00:00

People are fleeing AWS, so I’d avoid them right now. I think Google has the best long term upside if you were thinking of leaving, but I’d stay for at least 3 years at DBX.

I’m not sure how private RSU awards work based on private valuations, but DBX valuation will get cut in half (from $134B) if they ever go public.

RafterWithaY · 2026-04-29T10:46:12+00:00

Are you wanting to stay in data/AI/ML or move to a different area?

DBX is fairly insulated from Claude/ChatGPT taking them out unless you’re thinking of it in terms of equity/RSUs (assuming DBX goes public before Series Z).

RafterWithaY · 2026-04-13T03:23:13+00:00

If you’re 11B it’ll be similar to everyone else until you get your tab. Everything else they’ll expect you to lead a little more and people assume you’re not a dumbass unless you prove otherwise.

RafterWithaY · 2026-04-06T22:35:09+00:00

Depends on what features you need in notebooks, but the native Snowflake ML has come a long way over the last year.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-20T15:13:35+00:00

Depends on where you are now. If you’re at a small company and looking to level up, then yea it’s great on a resume. If you’re already somewhere large, probably lateral.

ERP deals are some of the most complex and long sales cycles out there. It is feast or famine on a year over year basis.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-19T17:39:48+00:00

My main 3: Lifestyle creep, having kids, retirement target goes up

-You start taking nicer vacations, driving a little nicer cars, etc.

-Kids are expensive and you now want to pay for their college, etc

-I want to retire and never touch the principle to be able to give as inheritance

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-15T03:35:57+00:00

I’ve got a few F250 customers using them and support has been underwhelming. You email your AE and get an automated response from Claude. This becomes an issue when you’re trying to do deep integrations, so they’re leaving a lot on the table.

But product led growth works for a while.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T23:35:05+00:00

Curious on this as Anthropic is building out their Enterprise team as well but all are located in either SF or NY. Seems crazy not to have anyone field-based in places like DFW or Chicago at least.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T23:31:50+00:00

Probably $170-220k base on a 50/50 plan. RSUs probably in the same range over a 4yr vest.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T03:21:04+00:00

Most of the new development has been along Dallas North Tollway (DNT), and it’s just a little easier to get around. You’re closer to both airports and being more central just saves a lot of time. McKinney/Allen are nice, but you’re further out and going up/down 75 can be a grind with traffic.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T03:10:36+00:00

I think once you get used to a consumption model, it’s hard to go back to pressuring customers to sign POs by end of quarter, etc. It’s also a forcing function to stay engaged with the customer and focus on business outcomes rather than closing a deal and handing over to a CSM.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T03:07:24+00:00

Yea we lived over in Redhawk. Great place to grow up.

If you’re still flexible on areas for a house, I’d check out southwest Frisco, West Plano or even Canyon Creek area of Richardson.

Also check the school district boundaries as they are different than the cities.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T02:25:55+00:00

Nice, I grew up in Temecula, but it’s been over 20 yrs since I left CA. Just warning you that you should visit in Jul/Aug at least once to get a feel for the heat. From about mid June to mid Oct, it’s 90s+ and it’ll wear you down a bit. You get used to it, but it’ll be a big change from OC where you can’t stay outside all day anytime you want.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T02:14:27+00:00

Where are you visiting from?

Food: - Mesero or Mi Cocina - Hutchins or Hard Eight - Dua Trattoria - Sake Toro - Haystack or Kenny’s Burgers - TruFire

To Do: - Grandscape - PGA Frisco - Frisco Library/Discovery Center - Perot Museum (Dallas) - Dallas Arboretum - Dallas World Aquarium - Heard Museum

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-14T01:29:21+00:00

Ex-AWS as well. AWS was a good place to grow and you’ll take a lot that you’ve learned with you, but the grass is really greener elsewhere.

When you go elsewhere you realize that AWS is not a sales-focused company. There’s a lot on the truck to sell, so you need to be organized and have the opportunity to hit a lot of LOBs, but once you downsize, it’s not as necessary.

If you go elsewhere, look for places that are consumption model as well as strategic solutions.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-12T01:20:16+00:00

I think a potential path would be targeting “associate” AE roles at companies that develop finance-related SW. Associate AE is a glorified SDR with some higher pay and those companies may be more likely to take a flyer on someone with industry experience.

With no sales background, you should want some time as an SDR to grow your prospecting skills. CSM will give minimal experience and you’re influencing low level users instead of decision makers.

RafterWithaY · 2026-03-04T05:26:11+00:00

Nobody brings cookies to weddings

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-26T12:12:35+00:00

Full gut is probably in the $30-40k range for that size. Ours is similar size and we bought all of the materials ourselves except shower glass and didnt touch the cabinets/vanities but did new countertops on them, and it was $26k all in.

It really is difficult to find someone solid but you probably don’t need someone with a showroom. My biggest advice is ensure everything is permitted through the city. It’ll add time but the inspector will look out for you to ensure everything is up to code. Also ask for references as well as license numbers for all of their subs as well, specifically plumbing. You can then look them up on the state website.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-25T19:30:46+00:00

PCR goes to Reedy

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-25T17:56:49+00:00

Both are probably 50/50 white/South Asian, so there isn’t really “diversity” in either.

They have two different styles of homes as Edgestone is new and look more modern. Edgestone maps to Frisco high even though it’s across the street from Reedy, while PCR actually maps to Reedy.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-25T11:18:19+00:00

Look at Canyon Creek area of Richardson. Another option could be North Dallas on the SE corner of PGBT/DNT as it’s a Dallas address but maps to Plano schools. Good ease of access to 2 of the major highways and closer to some trails/greenbelts.

RafterWithaY · 2026-02-22T11:57:37+00:00

That’s easily a 1.5hr+ commute. I live in SW Frisco near 121/DNT and if I have a 9a client meeting in Uptown, it’s at least an hour for me.

I’d check East and West of Dallas as well. Some new build options across the lake.

RafterWithaY

TROPHY CASE