Is it true that the founder of that startup worked on the day of his wedding?

Casey Mackrell, co-founder of Thoughtly, experienced a very intense week, starting with his wedding and then going viral. During the reception of his wedding, Mackrell had to quickly provide access to a code that could only be unlocked from his laptop. His co-founder, Torrey Leonard, took the opportunity to capture a photo of Mackrell focused on his screen amidst the celebration, while his friends and family danced around in an atmosphere decorated with floral arrangements and lights.

Leonard posted the image on LinkedIn, accompanied by a comment highlighting his co-founder's dedication. The snapshot of a founder working during his own wedding generated a significant online uproar, provoking a mix of admiration and criticism. However, the actual context of the situation was less severe than it appeared. According to Leonard, at the moment the photo was taken, Mackrell just needed to perform a quick action to send a file to a server. "He was on the computer for less than a minute, clicking. The image shows that people were laughing," he explained.

Although it could be interpreted as a lack of work-life balance, this situation resonated with the startup community regarding the concept of "founder mode," proposed by Paul Graham of Y Combinator. This approach suggests that a founder should easily engage in all operations of the company, which is seen as inspiring to many in the tech sector, but can be viewed as problematic outside of this realm.

Leonard's post elicited mixed reactions; while some found it motivating, others criticized the lack of boundaries between work and personal life. Responses to viral posts vary widely, and while some are satirical, others become decontextualized as they spread across different platforms. Leonard mentioned that he has received numerous positive responses from recognized founders and executives, despite the backlash the post has faced in communities less connected to the tech industry.

Mackrell is currently enjoying his honeymoon and has not been available to comment on the situation. However, according to Leonard, his wife did not object when he used his laptop at the wedding. Nonetheless, it would be advisable for the company to implement measures to prevent a single employee from being the sole solution to a problem in the future.