Do you remember your first hire? There is so much that goes into building a company, but few things matter as much the quality of the team you assemble. Given the immense importance of team building, we wanted to create a series where we ask entrepreneurs who have been there and done that, to share their stories and lessons with the community.
Suze Dowling
Your team is everything – they can make or break your business. One of the things that surprised me when we were first building our team was that it ended up being less about the specific roles and more about the specific person in the role. Hire the person who can aid you and your goals; skills can be taught, but character and team dynamics cannot. Read more>>
Mason “M11SON”
I run a music studio (Breed)that has grown into production collective by the name Sakred. When I first came into Breed Studio my partner Tony Moore was at the helm of the space and had a staff of all different types of creatives. I learned a lot about building teams from him. I played many different roles from management to writer to executive producer to janitor at times. Read more>>
Nate Spriggs
“In the early stages of my business, I collaborated closely with my father during the initial year. I actively networked and sought out experienced mentors in every aspect relevant to my company’s operations. Surrounding yourself with individuals who possess greater knowledge is crucial; they provide invaluable insights and save both time and money by offering guidance when you encounter unfamiliar challenges. Read more>>
Latika Ann
When I first started I was pretty much the only one designing and printing. I’ve had friends and a few family members invest in things I’ve needed. I’ve tried to hire family on the team but it never goes as I vision it. The people I barely know have been more of an asset than family members. Read more>>
Sami Nomair
When it comes to building a strong and effective team, the most important thing to always keep in mind is having an aligned vision. A strong team is crucial to day to day activities and gatherring the right people takes time, it’s a lot of trial and error. Patience and persitance is key. Read more>>
Alysha M. Cambell
When I first started CultureShift HR, it was just me. I had this vision of creating a consulting firm that would prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and I was determined to make it happen. The early days were challenging, to say the least. I was wearing all the hats – from business development to client servicing to HR consultancy. Read more>>
Tiffany Woodson
The business Started as a few Designers that were very talented, more talented than I was. I noticed that amongst our strengths we were able to cover each other’s weaknesses. With the trust and quality work ethics that my team possessed, hiring more talent wasn’t super challenging because it generally came in the way of a designer saying, “I know this super talented person that’s looking to change jobs….” Read more>>