Well, we’re 170+ episodes and almost 4 years into this podcast journey, and this is the first time I’ve explicitly tackled this topic on the pod: growing and building a team as a small business owner.

In the past 7 years of operating my marketing business at Molly Knuth Media, I’ve had a variety of team structures. I was originally a solo freelancer, then I had one person who helped on a mix of tasks as I needed them. Eventually I had a team of 7 people working various hours and skills in their own wheelhouses, and now I’m back to having a very lean team structure.

What I’ve learned along the way is that there is no blueprint for growing a team.

Damn it. It would be so much easier if there was. 

In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss the successes I’ve experienced in bringing others on board at my business Molly Knuth Media, the struggles I experienced in leading said team, and how you can know if you are ready to build a team in your own business.

My Successes

1. Tackling larger projects: it was so beautiful seeing people’s skills and Zone of Genius gifts come together to make a product where the parts made a really amazing whole.
2. Seeing people grow in their skills and gifts: watching others’ develop their skills and lean into their gifts is so fulfilling. 
3. Growing myself as a leader: I learned so many lessons about myself and my tendencies as a leader.

My Struggles

1. Growing myself as a leader: I lead more in a way of managing rather than leading, and I could have given up more control and fostered a more collaborative environment to be more successful.
2. Making changes: I was so uncomfortable with difficult conversations and displeasing others that I resisted making changes in the best interest of the company. I also resisted changing from my 5 and 10-year-goals that I had established for myself way back at the beginning of MKM…mostly because of my ego and my stubbornness.
3. Knowing what’s right: No one knows when it is time to bring people in or let people go. You are the visionary, and no accountant, coach, HR professional, will know when it’s the “right” time to build a team or who the right person is. Only you can make that call. Trust your gut and move forward.

How do I know if I’m ready?

1. Get clear with yourself:
   1. Identify why you are considering bringing someone on board.
   2. If someone wants to work with me and approaches you for the opportunity, number 1 celebrate this opportunity. Then, get really clear on this person’s role, tasks, and ROI for the business. Identify a plan for training, success in the role, and how they can be part of the business processes in a collaborative way.
   3. If you want to hire because you’re feeling squeezed, remember that you will feel squeezed even further in the initial months of bringing a new team member on board. You will have to invest time in interviewing, onboarding, training, and communicating, so your time will not be magically freed up by hiring someone on your team. Ensure that hiring a team member is the best solution for solving this squeezing feeling.
   4. If you want to hire because you’re ready to uplevel, get really clear with your why and establish your mission, vision, values and your leadership plan to maximize your impact.
2. Make sure your finances align:
   1. Check out this episode of Profitable Women from my friend and accountant, Sheila Hansen
   2. Do you need an independent contractor? Do you need an hourly W-2 employee? Do you need someone on salary? Are you setting up your tax contributions correctly? Ensure you have someone to refer to for help in getting all your financial and legal ducks in a row.
3. Get ready for friction:
   1. There are going to be things that challenge you: the level of communications, establishing a culture, aligning personalities and skill sets, difficult conversations, establishing workflows, making hard choices, etc. 
   2. These challenges can be worth it, but you need to prepare yourself for the lows as well as the highs as you grow a team.

Get more from Molly Knuth Media

Reach out at hello@mollyknuthmedia.com to discuss coaching and consulting options from Molly to help your service provider business growth and marketing in 2024.