Sacrifice your youth? Heck, starting companies is the best, most interesting thing I have ever done. If it is a sacrifice I think you are in the wrong company/business.

I have not had any major payoff from the companies which I have started, but neither have I suffered. They key thing I have achieved is that I can essentially work on anything I want now, not because I am independently wealthy, but because I am recognised for what I do and can pick what I want to do. You can find freedom in more than large piles of money.