How To Hire Your First Team Member

Honestly, hiring your first team member is scary! Even just bringing someone on to help out with a few tasks as you grow your business can be terrifying. I know I was terrified. I felt like I was taking on way more responsibility than I could manage with just one part-time team member. I went back and forth on whether I should or could do it before I finally took the plunge in my salon.

I quickly realised that delegation was the only way I could grow and build the client base I wanted without totally burning out. YES, you will take an immediate hit to the bank account. YES, you will have to face your fears and have conversations that are sometimes unpleasant. YES, some people suck, and YES, you probably will suck sometimes too.

BUT, you will learn so much valuable information about yourself and your business and hopefully learn from all the mistakes you make.

So here are 9 random tips for hiring your first team member if I were to hire my first again (because I could have written 30):

Do the Math: Crunch the numbers. You need wiggle room for downtimes so you can still feed yourself. Check Fair Work or your local regulations to ensure you are paying above the minimum wage. Read through all the entitlements.

Have the Paperwork and Insurance Sorted: You don’t need more problems right now; you need help.

Write Down Your Needs and Bonuses: Clearly outline what you ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY need and what would be a BONUS.

Identify Red Flags: Write down what is an ABSOLUTE RED FLAG NO, such as not being able to work the one day you really need help.

Always Do a Trial: Even just half a day to start. You don’t want to be stuck with someone all day if you aren’t going to hire them—it's awkward AF.

Weigh the Pros and Cons: Sleep on it if time allows. Let the team member have the same time to reflect.

Hire on a Casual Basis: Get the hang of payroll before having to put away for annual leave, etc. Test the waters before having to pay someone for being sick every sixth Friday.

Utilise the Probation Period: Don’t let yourself get stuck with someone if they aren’t working out in the first 3 months. That’s what the probation period is for. Feedback is essential to leadership, but if you know it’s not right, don’t keep someone there for both of your sakes.

Seek Leadership Resources: Listen to podcasts and read books about leadership for ideas. All of us had no experience with it at one stage.

For more biz tips and my journey as a business owner, check out my podcast The Salon Rebel