Overwhelmingly, media coverage of team building, hiring, training, etc. is often geared towards the issues faced by HR at Fortune 500 sized companies. Even when it’s positioned as advice for small business owners it is often coming from an executive or consultant working primarily with giant corporations. We think it’s far more relevant to hear from small and medium business owners who have successfully grown their businesses – and so we asked some very talented folks to tell us the stories of their initial hires and the struggles and lessons they can share.

Esther Mcilvoy

When I opened Sweat Society, I was introducing two fitness methods that didn’t yet exist in our city. After more than twelve years of teaching high-intensity Pilates, I knew exactly what kind of environment I wanted to create — one where every person who walked through our doors felt seen, known, and supported. Building the right team was essential to making that mission a reality. Read more >>>

Hirbod Human

When I first started, it was just me. I became an entrepreneur at 21 and have spent more than two decades building and leading creative projects across different industries—from branding and design to media, publishing, and film. Over the years, I’ve founded and managed several companies, some of which are no longer active, but each one taught me something essential about people and collaboration. Read more >>>

Laura-Kate Amrhein

It was just me for the first 9+ years! I was so scared that I would never find an employee that would show as much love and attention to detail to the cakes as I did. After years and years of working myself to death, 7 days a week, multiple ‘all-nighters’ a week…I finally decided that I needed help if I was going to survive! Read more >>>

Joey De Mare

When it comes to hiring, I look for like-minded people—those who are eager to learn, but also those I can learn from. Some of the best leaders I’ve worked under were humble and hands-on. They didn’t just point in a direction—they walked alongside you, invested in your growth, and led by example. Read more >>>

Christine Bettera

In the very beginning, it was just me, and desperation. I was desperate to get out of veterinary medicine. I knew the path I was on wasn’t sustainable or healthy, and I realized that if I truly wanted to live a life rooted in wellness, I had to embody it. Read more >>>