Every Entrepreneur Needs These Four Team Members
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to feel like we are on stage all alone. We write the play, we design the set, and we perform all of the parts. We think that’s what we have to do to be strong, but it’s total bullshit.
We all need a supportive cast around us. I’d argue that building a team is one of the most important things you can do for your business. It can also be one of the most stressful. How many people should you hire? What type of people do you need? And for which positions? Ack!
At EMB, our team size has ebbed and flowed over the years. What it’s taught us, though, is that size doesn’t matter (well, at least when it comes to a team) as much as quality. Organizational culture expert Sheila Margolis says the ideal team size is 4.6, and we agree. Based on our experience, here are the four team members you need to be successful as an entrepreneur:
1. A Visionary
Someone to lead the company and determine what and how products and services will be offered. This is usually the CEO or Founder.
2. A Lawyer
Whether for day-to-day contracts, business formation or protecting intellectual property, it is always important to have a lawyer who you can call on to answer the inevitable legal questions that will arise as you form and grow your company. They may be expensive, but it’s more valuable to spend money up front doing things right, then to have to defend wrong actions after the fact.
3. An Accountant/Bookkeeper
Your numbers are a diary of your business and serve as benchmarks for growth. Having the right financial team on board from the beginning will help you see trends within your business that can help you shape the future of the company.
4. A Marketer
Well of course we are a bit biased on this one, but the truth is that marketing is the funnel to sales. From web development to branding to events to PR, there is always a need for marketing to drive visibility and conversion to your brand.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that, as a Founder & CEO, you may be playing all of these parts in the beginning as you build capacity and capital. That’s okay. As long as you’re putting thought and strategy into your first hires, you should be on your way to building a successful team (and company).
And, of course, if you need to outsource your CMO for a while, you know where to find us.
Laurel Mintz, Founder & CEO
Elevate My Brand