At 10-50 employees, startups can't match big company salaries, so hiring depends on finding people who believe in the mission. Smaller teams recruit easier because the founder's vision is obvious. This middle stage is where most companies lose good candidates to better-paying offers.
It is so hard to convince somebody to come work for you when you're, you know, just a few people. It's actually easier when you're like starting out. Like I think if you're less than 10 people it's easier to recruit 10 to 50. Someone has to be a little crazy to come work with you. Of course, if you're one of the first few people, I think the economics really make a ton of sense. But like 10 to 50 is a really hard, hard time to attract folks. You can't compete on salary. You just can't. And there's lots of interesting things. But if you can find people who have the same interest in what your business is trying to solve or what your mission is, then it's easier because people are like, okay, I am interested in this and I could really throw myself into it and take the chance to come join. I think that was really helpful.
