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.
Tyler Hoffman
The business started with myself, alone, a Pro Driver & Coach with clients that wanted to go racing and needed a team to do with it. As the opportunity to develop a team arose, originally friends and family members came on to expand the operation into what it is today, a professional racing team based right here in Atlanta, Georgia. Networking and meeting individuals that work with other teams in different series and word of mouth is how we have met most of our current team , which consisting of 15-20 crew members. The interview process is rather informal, more similar to that of a tryout. We invite potential team members to come join us for a day at the track if we there is a potential for employment. Our process for identifying talent is a bit different than some, as we value the persons character over the specific skill set to qualify for the tryout. At Kingpin Racing, we would rather invest time, money, and resources into the right people as the nature of our business requires some level of hands on training, Read more>>
Xiaoheng Li
At the very beginning, it was just me, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become a team effort. Starting alone was both exciting and overwhelming. I had to wear many hats, juggling everything from product design to business development. However, as the vision for the business grew, I knew I needed to bring in more people to truly bring the idea to life and scale it effectively. Read more>>
Matthew S. Santana Jr.
When I first started Santana Global, it was just me—one person with a vision and a deep desire to create something meaningful. Nine years ago, there was no roadmap, no guarantees, just the hope that I could build something that would resonate with others. Back then, I was wearing all the hats: strategist, marketer, and creative director. I was the entire operation. In those early days, I was deeply committed to the idea that Santana Global could be a force for positive change. The loneliness of being a solo entrepreneur was real, but so was the drive to see this vision come to life. Every decision felt monumental. From crafting the brand’s identity to figuring out how to reach our first clients, there were challenges at every turn. But there was also a thrill—a sense that something bigger was on the horizon. Read more>>
Kayden Gordon
When I first started up my business, it was 100% me for about a year and a half. From there, I had brought on my producer John Graham for about 4 years, and then from there, he has decided to step down as a part time radio tech which I support that decision. Recently, I have had the absolute pleasure to hire on my first ever, and not to mention amazing lead secretary/receptionist Tammy Curcuru. Although I have not met her in person, I have fell in love with her work ethic and how she is willing to get work done. Through my partnership with AnswerNet and Christine West, my sales executive, my experience with hiring on a company and having the support from some amazing ladies such as Christine and Tammy within the company. Read more>>
Nicole Albrecht
When I started my business, I wasn’t entirely on my own—I sold out of a partnership I was involved with, and three other members of our team came with me. Having a team from day one was a huge advantage, as they were not only familiar with my working style but were also integral in helping create the company’s vision, branding, logo, and mission statement. The transition was smoother than it might have been otherwise because we had already built trust and a shared sense of purpose. What was unique about this process was that we collaboratively shaped the company’s identity together from the ground up. This approach made everyone feel more invested in the business from the start. Looking back, I wouldn’t change much, as that shared foundation set us up for success early on. Read more>>
Jeremy Wolf
The inception of MindReady (www.mindready.co) was a collaboration between myself and Dom Morais. As someone who has experienced the rigors of being a professional athlete, and with Dom’s extensive background as an athlete, educator, and college professor, it felt like the perfect team to launch MindReady and we’ve loved building this sports performance coaching company together. From my personal journey, I can affirm the critical importance of an athlete’s mental health. The MindReady resources we provide to our athletes today would have been invaluable during my own athletic career. I firmly believe that increasing educational opportunities for athletes, coaches, and communities will significantly enhance their well-being and success – on and off the field. Read more>>
Bryon Daniels
At the launch of Greenhouse and for the majority of it’s first year I only had one employee. We were growing the business from small beginnings and running things with a very tight crew. Once I was ready to expand Greenhouse into it’s next phase I began the hiring process. I took this approach fairly unconventionally, using instagram as a way of getting application videos. I was interested in hearing why they wanted to work for Greenhouse but mostly how comfortable they were speaking about themselves. My goal with hiring was to hire based off of a person’s vibe rather than their experience. I wanted a team that customers would enjoy being around and would want to come in for coffee and keep coming back for the conversations. I wouldn’t change a thing about that approach to hiring. It has produced a team of incredibly unique and fun employees who love coming to work and has customers regularly returning for their favorite baristas. Read more>>
Trisha Pfeiffer
The Early Days: Balancing It All When I started The Nanny Joynt, it was just me for the first five years. I had a vision and a passion, but I was also navigating the intense demands of being a new mother while trying to grow my business. With two children born during that time, I quickly learned just how all-consuming entrepreneurship could be. I took only a five-day maternity leave after my second child and found myself attending client meetings with my newborn in tow. At the time, I didn’t want to let clients down or lose business, and I thought I could do it all. But in hindsight, that experience taught me a crucial lesson: balancing family, life, and business is key, and having the right team in place is essential for success. Read more>>