In the Beginning, It’s All You
Starting out means wearing every hat imaginable. Not just the inventor of the product, but also the manufacturer, shipper, customer service rep, website builder, marketer, bookkeeper… and even the janitor. Long days—twelve to fourteen hours—seven days a week, are often the norm. For many entrepreneurs, unless major investment funding comes early (which is rare), the reality is simple: the business is you.
But for the business to grow beyond what one person can sustain, building a team eventually becomes necessary.
Growth Means Letting Go
The earliest “team” members in many businesses are family members helping with small tasks. In one case, operations began at a living room table, with children rolling hook-and-loop tape. From there, things gradually expanded.
As operations moved out of the home, the first official hire might only work 10–15 hours a week on a single repetitive task. Additional hires typically follow the same model—filling needs, not titles. The goal isn’t building a corporate structure overnight, but rather bringing on “doers”—people willing to roll up their sleeves and handle whatever needs doing. That kind of mindset is invaluable in the early growth phase.
Should Friends and Family Join the Team?
It’s a common question, and a complicated one. Hiring a family member can work—but it also introduces risk.
Here’s the golden rule:
If the business relationship ends poorly, will it damage the personal one? If so, think twice. Avoiding conflict by keeping someone on who’s hurting the business can cost much more in the long run.
The Trap of Thinking Only You Can Do It Right
After doing everything alone for so long, it’s easy to believe no one else can match that level of care, attention, or effort. And in many cases, that’s true—most people won’t be as obsessed with the quality or as invested in the outcome.
But growth requires delegation. That means setting clear expectations, holding others accountable, and understanding that different doesn’t always mean worse. Perfectionism is a common trap—one that can hold back progress.
A Word of Caution About Outsourcing
Even with a growing team, it’s important to stay close to the details—especially the financials.
A well-known accounting firm may seem trustworthy, but work often gets handed off to less experienced staff. In one case, a payroll tax error made by junior bookkeepers nearly resulted in penalties. If the error hadn’t been caught, the consequences could’ve been severe.
Get Legal Advice Early
And it’s not just accounting. There are stories of bookkeepers embezzling tens or hundreds of thousands from small businesses. These incidents don’t always make headlines, but they happen more than most realize.The takeaway: know the numbers. Stay involved. Trust, but verify.
Before launching a product, it’s critical to understand any legal risks. A simple, low-risk product—one without harmful chemicals or choking hazards—reduces the chance of lawsuits or product recalls. Products that are safe, affordable, and easy to support make running the business far less stressful.
Legal consultation in the early stages can prevent massive headaches down the line. Every product has its risks—it’s better to know them early.
Helpful Resources Business Owners
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources & Tools
- IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
- SCORE – Free Mentoring & Workshops
- NOLO – Free Legal Information for Small Businesses
Final Thought
Asking for help doesn’t mean failure—it means growth. Building a business is about building a team, setting boundaries, and learning to trust others with the load.
Stay involved. Know the numbers. Let go—bit by bit—when the time is right.
It’s possible to do this. And it doesn’t have to be done alone.
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