What to Do Before Hiring Your First Employee

Hiring your first employee is a big deal.

It means your business is growing — and that you’re finally ready to take a few things off your plate.

But here’s the part most founders miss:

If your backend is a mess, your new hire will walk into chaos.

Hiring someone doesn’t magically fix your disorganization.

In fact, it can make things worse — unless you prepare.

Before you bring anyone on board, here’s what you actually need in place:

– Documented processes. Write down how things get done. Think: onboarding a client, sending an invoice, publishing content, fulfilling an order. It doesn’t have to be fancy — a Google Doc or Loom video is a great start.

– Clear tool access. Know exactly what software your new hire will use — and set it up ahead of time.

– A basic onboarding plan. Even a short checklist or intro guide can cut confusion fast.

– Defined workflows. Know who’s doing what, when, and how tasks move through your business.

– Automations where possible. Free up your hire’s time by automating the repeatable stuff — like notifications, calendar invites, or status updates.

When you skip this prep, you end up micromanaging, re-doing work, and getting frustrated.

They feel lost. You feel stressed. Everyone loses.

But when your systems are solid?

You get a smooth handoff. Your employee can actually do their job. And your business runs better — without all the extra effort.

We help founders build smart backend systems and SOPs before they hire — so their team is set up for success from day one. Ready to hire with confidence?