3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Hiring Your First Employee

Happy New Year! ?? As you start fresh in 2025, it’s the perfect time to consider growing your business by bringing on your first employee. Whether you’ve been a solopreneur up until now or have a small team, hiring your first employee is an exciting—but sometimes overwhelming—step. Before diving into this new chapter, it’s important to ask yourself a few key questions to ensure you’re truly ready for this next stage of growth.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or bogged down by repetitive tasks, it may be the perfect time to make your first hire. It’s easy to assume that your business is running smoothly, but if you're feeling like you're constantly putting out fires or struggling with balancing all the tasks that need to be done, it's a good indication that the time has come to bring on some help.

Let’s dive into the three big questions that will help you determine if it’s time to take the leap!

1. What Are My Core Business Needs Right Now?

Running a business means there’s always a laundry list of things to do. But when you start to realize that you're spending more time on admin work than on driving your business forward, that’s when things start to feel unbalanced. So, the first question to ask is: What are my core business needs right now?

When I first started my business, I knew I needed help but wasn’t sure where to start. I spent hours sorting through tasks that weren’t moving the needle. But once I took a step back and thought about where my time was most valuable—focusing on HR strategy and helping small businesses build strong teams—it was clear I needed support with things like day-to-day admin and client coordination.

That moment helped me pinpoint what tasks I should delegate. From there, I could start thinking about what kind of role would free me up to focus on the bigger picture.

For you, whether it’s handling client outreach, managing operations, or organizing systems, knowing what your business truly needs can help define the right role for your first hire.

2. Do I Have a Clear Vision for the Role I Need to Fill?

Once you understand your business needs, the next step is clarifying the role itself. If you’ve been wearing all the hats, it’s likely that your first hire will need to be a jack-of-all-trades, but that can change as your business grows.

A client of mine was having some difficulty nailing down their vision. They hired a contractor but it was a bit like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. They were eager to delegate, but hadn’t fully defined what they needed or what the role should look like. In the end, they ended up reshaping the position multiple times before landing on the right fit. Through working together, they realized that clear expectations, from day one, were the foundation of building a strong working relationship.

Knowing exactly what you want your new hire to do—and what you want them to help you achieve—will make all the difference in setting them up for success. Take the time to outline a job description, even if it evolves over time. Setting the right foundation from the start will save you so much energy and frustration later.

3. Am I Ready for the Responsibility of Leading?

Hiring your first employee doesn’t just involve the logistics of onboarding and training. It’s about stepping into a leadership role. So, ask yourself: Am I ready to take on the responsibility of leading and managing others?

Transitioning from being a solopreneur to hiring your first employee requires a mental shift. It’s not only about delegating tasks—it’s about supporting someone else’s growth, providing feedback, and setting an example. Leadership isn’t just about telling someone what to do—it’s about guiding them, motivating them, and helping them grow in their role.

It’s normal to feel a little hesitant about becoming a leader, but with the right resources and support, you’ll soon find that being a leader can be the most fulfilling part of owning a business.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're reading this and thinking, “I’m ready to hire but not sure where to start,” you're not alone. It’s completely normal to feel a little unsure of how to take the next step. After all, growing your business—and your team—requires careful thought and planning. But once you’re clear on your needs, your role expectations, and your leadership approach, you’ll be ready to start building the team that will help take your business to the next level.

The transition from working solo to leading a team doesn’t have to be daunting. I’ve been there, and I've guided countless clients through the process of hiring their first employee, setting clear expectations, and stepping into their leadership role.

If you’re looking for a little more guidance to make this transition smoother, I’d love to help. Let’s chat about how you can prepare for this next step in growing your business—and how to make it as seamless and stress-free as possible!

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