<human>: Hi all -

I'm the head sales / client services person for a tech start up, and have been working there almost 6 months getting paid very little. We have been doing really well as a business since I joined, and are approaching an A round very soon. I can safely say I have been pivotal to this company as I am mostly responsible for every meeting and sale.  When I joined, I took on the job assuming I would get equity in the company (first startup experience after leaving grad school), but I have yet to see it in paper. I am coming up on my 6 months and have asked for a performance review and to discuss my future within the company. I love the team I work with and am thrilled about my future with them, but I feel as though I should be treated as an owner given my financial sacrifice and hard work. 

Here are some questions:
1) How do I ask for equity?
2) As a sales / client services person, how much should I ask for?
3) Is an appropriate time to ask before we go to venture?

Summarize the given text in a few sentences.
<bot>: I've been a big part of a tech startup for 6 months without equity contract written up, how do I ask for it now before we go to investors?