Is it okay to think about work life balance while working in a startup

Building a startup with VC money, work-life balance goes for a toss.

Bootstrapping a small business or a startup with little or no external expectations, work-life balance seems achievable.

If funded by VC, then yes. If boot strapped then no.

Yes it is. Startups have ruined this concept, but it all depends on how good the culture is.

Good culture is where -

1. People do expect you to be almost Always available incase anything comes up pressing
2. The target initially to achieve with the limited team is gonna need you working more than an average person works in standard 8hrs. But if you are efficient, you can complete early most times
3. In startup, you are more invested in making the idea a success than you are about your personal daily life. That's what's checked during hiring as that's the expectation. If we don't have that interest, it's best to not go to a startup as it won't help anyone

I used to work at series A, less than 100 people. Life was too chill.

There are definitely relaxed startups as well. Finding them is difficult.