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.” with “What did you learn as an intern or apprentice? 

Patrick Clayton

I started out in 2007 – just me doing everything from design to sourcing to installation and breakdown. It was exhausting but I loved every minute of it. Read More>>

Aashima Verma

My business actually had an employee before I was even working in it full-time. When I started the agency, I already had around five clients, so I knew pretty quickly that I couldn’t do everything myself. I hired a marketing coordinator initially as a contractor, and they ended up becoming full-time before I did. Read More>>

Sascha Gibson

Big Moves, Bigger Conversations (BMBC) started with just me, a vision, and a camera. In the beginning, I handled everything virtually, from guest outreach and production to hosting and creative direction. As the platform grew, I became intentional about building a team, not just with talented people, but with people I genuinely wanted to learn from and grow alongside. Read More>>

Jes Garner

Like many small businesses, it was just me in the VERY beginning. I was handling every aspect of the company myself and learning as I went. Not long after I started, one of my best friends, Mini, began helping me out. At first, it was very informal. I would pay him to lend a hand with events, deliveries, and whatever needed to get done. Read More>>

Kelsey Merrigan

The Fix hired employees from day one, and we’ve always relied on our team to help provide the best possible service to our guests. Over the years, we’ve gone through several different versions of our team, and today we have the largest staff we’ve ever had with 11 employees plus the owners. Read More>>

Sara Wallace

When I joined Lowcountry Orphan Relief in September 2023, the organization had already been serving children in foster care for nearly 20 years, so there was an established staff in place. However, it didn’t take long to realize the culture among employees wasn’t very healthy. There was a lot of gossip and some people weren’t fully doing the jobs they had been hired to do. Read More>>

Khalia Aimee Kenny

At Ella Allure Skin, building a team has never been about traditional roles, it’s about connection and alignment. The process of who we work with is very intentional and personal. Instead of formal interviews, I pay attention to how someone carries themselves, their creativity, their attention to detail, and how well they understand the brand’s energy. It’s important that everything feels cohesive and elevated. Read More>>