Wow, your story sounds a lot like my last job. It was also a start-up. I accepted a low salary at first because supposedly after 3 months I'd get a raise.

When the three months were up, I asked him about a raise and he said that things hadn't gone as well as hoped, so I'd have to be patient. A few more months passed and I asked again, he said once we signed another partner company he'd give me a raise, although less than originally promised. He also promised a bonus for completing a specific task. I did the task and he refused to pay the bonus, he said I had misunderstood (he was always gaslighting people). Again when I asked about the raise when another company joined, he told me to be patient. In the meantime he constantly tried to assign me new tasks (for the same money) and would go into a rage when I set boundaries and said no. He wasted a lot of money on worthless things while pleading poverty. He also paid us later and later in the month.

I was there for about a year and a half and finally quit. Besides the money, his anger management issues, verbal abuse and gaslighting got to be too much. Honestly, I think I stayed too long. It was not worth the little money I was making to put up with all that. He seemed to think I wouldn't ask for my last month's payment. I had to fight to get it. I am sure he only paid because he knows my husband is a lawyer.

The last I heard, he has asked people to take pay cuts. A friend bills him for consulting on journalism-related tasks through her company. He used to pay the invoices in 30 days, then it was 60 and now he wants to pay in 90. The last I knew he owed another co-worker a lot of money.

So, to me the way you are being treated is a red flag. It is unlikely to get better, especially with a start-up since most do not make it. My ex-company lost its two biggest member companies and apparently the owner is taking money out of his savings to keep it afloat.

it sounds like you've already started looking for a new job, which is good. I guess whether or not you stay while job hunting depends on how much you need the little money that they are paying you.

As far as my situation, after quitting I was unemployed for about 6 months before I took a freelance job that turned into a permanent job with benefits (ex boss kept everyone as independent contractors to avoid paying benefits). I am making a lot more money and my boss is much more reasonable to deal with. It hasn't been perfect, but it is SO much better, and I no longer am having panic attacks my ex boss used to provoke.

Take care and good luck!