Startup founder Bryan Reed found relief from burnout thanks to three Gen Z interns who brought social connection and enhanced productivity to his company. The non-traditional internship involved shared living and immersive work, fundamentally shifting Reed's perspective on startup culture.
The Burnout and the Interns
A New York City startup founder struggling with burnout says his approach to work fundamentally changed after hiring three Gen Z summer interns to assist with marketing at his trading app startup, Freeport Markets.
Founder Bryan Reed says he was working long hours in isolation before bringing in the interns in July 2025. The interns, who lived together in a shared apartment and worked from the company’s uptown office, formed close bonds with Reed through shared meals, gym trips, movie nights, and late-night reading sessions. Reed describes the experience as transformative, crediting the interns with improving his mental well-being and productivity.
Shifting Work Habits
Reed reports he has since adjusted his work habits, prioritizing collaboration and social connection after the interns’ departure. He now believes small startups require intensive, immersive collaboration to succeed, often working 12-hour days with his team.
The internship was structured as a non-traditional arrangement. Reed’s company, Freeport Markets—a trading app offering 24/7 international stock trading—paid the interns hourly wages and covered their food and housing costs. The interns worked alongside Reed and his cofounder, handling marketing tasks while integrating into the company’s daily routines.
Reed describes the interns’ impact as immediate and profound. He says the close relationships fostered better problem-solving and creativity, with the group spending entire days together from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The experience led him to reconsider the isolation often associated with startup culture.
Startup Culture and Mental Health
Reed’s account highlights the challenges of founder burnout, a well-documented issue in the startup ecosystem. He describes his pre-internship routine as unsustainable, marked by long hours and limited social interaction outside of work. The interns’ arrival introduced a social dynamic that Reed says made work feel less solitary.
The internship model Reed adopted—housing interns together and integrating them deeply into the company’s operations—differs from traditional internship structures. While Reed frames it as a cost-effective solution, the arrangement also raises questions about labor practices and employee well-being in startup environments.
Long-Term Implications for Work Culture
Reed’s reflections suggest a potential shift in how startups approach team dynamics. He argues that small teams benefit from extended collaboration, though his perspective is anecdotal and specific to his company’s experience. The interns’ departure has left Reed reassessing his work environment, though he has not detailed concrete changes to Freeport Markets’ policies or culture beyond his personal adjustments.
The story has drawn attention for its portrayal of Gen Z workers reshaping workplace norms. Reed’s emphasis on social connection contrasts with traditional startup narratives that often prioritize individual grind and long hours. His experience underscores the growing conversation around mental health in high-pressure work environments.
Reed’s startup, Freeport Markets, remains operational as of the time of reporting, though no updates on its current staffing or business trajectory have been provided beyond his personal reflections.