When you’re in the early stages, it might be hard to think about hiring lots of new 40, 50, or 60 hour per week employees. But, as your business grows, it will become necessary to get some help. You’re only one person with 24 hours in a day, and at some point wearing all the hats is going to cause you a huge headache.
Startup founder Harold Hughes came back to the Shontavia Show to talk about his experience going from a solopreneur to growing the Bandwagon Fanclub Incorporated team to now six people.
Harold has raised more than $2.5 million in his business, but in early days he had nothing close to that. And it’s really hard to hire people when you have no money.
But, Harold used some creative hiring strategies to grow his team when Bandwagon had very limited resources, including providing stock shares, using deferred compensation tactics, and identifying early on who he would hire when he got the money.
Harold’s hiring strategies have served him and Bandwagon well. His interview approach was featured in a Fast Company article (linked in the show notes below), and he’s built an impressive team, including software engineers, an ex-Googler, and a former lawyer for Facebook and StubHub.
This episode is full of gems about growing the right team for your business. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or step-by-step strategy, Harold shares both.
Show Summary
04:20 When Harold knew he needed to hire people, and who he started withÂ
06:52 How Harold hired a software developer with no money using deferred compensationÂ
09:12 How to convince other people to work with you for freeÂ
11:33 How to choose the right candidates without a formal interview processÂ
 15:36 How to choose the right candidates when there is a formal interview processÂ
17:33 Would you rather be King or be rich? One of Harold’s favorite interview questionsÂ
20:22 How to handle rejection after a candidate takes, and then declines, a job offerÂ
27:16 How to ensure that your employess become your company’s biggest evangelistsÂ
32:06 Why the transformative power of transparent storytelling is important for black foundersÂ
For more, check out the full episode below.
Show Notes
Raising Startup Capital with Bandwagon Founder and CEO Harold Hughes: https://shontavia.buzzsprout.com/795392/2884930-15-raising-startup-capital-with-bandwagon-founder-and-ceo-harold-hughes
The Bandwagon Fanclub Team: https://bandwagonfanclub.com/team/
9 CEOs share their favorite interview questions: https://www.fastcompany.com/90378682/9-ceos-share-their-favorite-interview-questions
Harold’s Twitter thread about hiring: https://twitter.com/OneBandwagonFan/status/1201498739258646528?s=20
Questions and Action: Create a hiring strategy for your current and future business
 After you’ve had a chance to watch the video, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section!
1. Are there creative ways you can find help or support for your business?
2. Do you know anyone who you’d love to hire once your business has the resources? Can you starting connecting with them on socia media to assess whether they’d be a good culture fit for your future business?
3. How do you show appreciation for people who help keep your business running?
Please give as much information as you can in response to these questions. I’d be happy to share more tools and resources that help you get what you want.Â
Thank you so much for joining me on this roller coaster of an experience.
I am eternally grateful that I get to do this work with creators, entrepreneurs and innovators like yourself.
                                                                 Let’s continue to make it happen,
