Its a different risk profile and a different level set of responsibility. Founder has the entirety of the company on their shoulders. Early employee has a lot - but they can leave and join another firm if they want.
However my original comment was pushback about how easy it is to take VC money (comments I have seen) and how low-risk being a founder is - which is patently false.
So, you're saying that it's hard but "not that hard actually".