What we'll cover:
Where to find believers – The best channels for discovering people who want to join something early, from your own network to communities, Twitter, and unconventional job boards.
Selling the vision without overselling – How to pitch your startup honestly while making the opportunity genuinely exciting. What candidates actually care about beyond money.
Equity conversations – Structuring fair equity packages, explaining vesting schedules without sounding like a lawyer, and common mistakes founders make when offering shares.
Generalists vs specialists – Should your first hires be people who can wear ten hats or experts in one critical area? How to decide based on where you are.
Culture from day one – How early hiring decisions bake in culture, for better or worse. Setting expectations, communication norms, and ways of working before you even realise you're doing it.
When a hire isn't working – The painful reality of letting someone go early, how to spot a bad fit quickly, and managing the team through it.
Red flags and gut feelings – What experienced founders wish they'd noticed before making a hiring mistake.
Format:
A mix of founder stories from those who've built their early teams, open discussion, and plenty of time for questions. Whether you're about to make your first hire or recovering from a hiring disaster, come ready to share and learn.
