Even though future profits can be huge, having a Sustainable business model that is profitable early is more important for lean startups when there are no venture capitalists involved that can bail you out.
As an individual entrepreneur you still need to pay your bills in the present, and you cannot do that with a promise, or chance, of value and future profits.
This does not mean you should abandon your ethics, duty or stand just to make sure your startup survives. Sometimes it’s not meant to be or you need to pivot.