They said put your ideas out there—so here goes.
As I’ve started sharing more about my entrepreneurial journey, one theme keeps coming up again and again:
The hardest part of growing a business isn’t just the work—it’s building the team to help you do it.
The Wake-Up Call Every Founder Faces
When you start seeing traction in your business—real customers, real results—you quickly realize:
“I can’t do this alone anymore.”
But hiring help is one thing. Building a reliable team that can consistently deliver your brand’s experience with excellence? That’s something else entirely.
You want to create jobs. You want to empower others. You want to grow.
But then the reality hits:
Most people don’t just know what to do. Even with clear intentions, expectations often get lost in translation.
I learned this the hard way—especially when I hired people who didn’t even greet customers properly. Something as simple as a warm smile and a “Good morning, my name is…” wasn’t second nature to everyone.
The Reality of Training: It’s Not a One-and-Done
I assumed that if I created a system or process, people would follow it.
But I realized very quickly:
If I want a top-tier experience delivered every single time, I have to train every single step. Down to what to say.
That was shocking, eye-opening, and—if I’m being honest—deeply frustrating.
Especially when you’re in an industry with high turnover and you’re constantly re-training new hires. As a small business owner juggling marketing, operations, bookings, customer service, and more—this process can feel completely overwhelming.
My First Attempt: The Manual No One Read
I tried to create a step-by-step written guide.
But no one read it. Or maybe they skimmed it once and never referenced it again.
So what did I have to do?
Explain everything. Repeatedly. Patiently. Over and over again.
My Breakthrough: Video-Based Team Training
That’s when I decided to film a video training series—detailing every step of the process.
Each new hire would be required to:
- Watch the full video
- Take notes
- Be tested on what they learned
And if they deviated from the process?
They were asked to watch it again.
Testing It on Event Setup
I first rolled this out for our event setup and breakdown.
The results? Game-changing.
The new hire watched the video, made notes, and executed the process well.
Anything missed was easy to correct—not by re-explaining everything—but by pointing them back to the training.
I also created physical and digital checklists to go with it.
I eventually expanded this to cover marketing, operations, and service delivery.
The Business Idea Sparked by the Struggle
That’s when it hit me:
What if I turned this into a service to help other small business owners do the same?
I know I’m not alone. I’ve talked to so many entrepreneurs facing the same frustrations.
We want to build great teams. We want consistency.
But we’re stuck in the cycle of repeating ourselves, getting frustrated, and still not seeing results.
So here’s my idea:
A done-for-you training video service that helps small to mid-sized business owners:
- Document essential processes
- Film and edit step-by-step video walkthroughs
- Create checklists and resources
- Host everything in a portal for easy access by team members
People Are Complicated—And That’s the Challenge
It took me a while to stop taking it personally.
Because the truth is: people are complex.
Some catch on quickly and genuinely want to grow.
Others need extra support, hand-holding, and patience.
And some? They just don’t care enough to improve. That’s a hard truth, but it’s real.
I used to compare them to myself:
When I was new to the workforce, I wanted to prove myself. I was proactive, quick to learn, and adaptable.
And when I didn’t see that same spark in others, I’d get frustrated.
But now I’m learning:
“You can’t compare yourself to others. People bring different values, experiences, and work ethics to the table.”
Especially here in the U.S.—with people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and motivations—your team will reflect that diversity in every way.
Hiring Is a Gamble. Training Shouldn’t Be.
Interviews can only reveal so much.
You don’t know how someone will handle stress or conflict until they’re in it.
Some roles are stepping stones for your team—others may be their dream job.
You have to plan for both.
I’ve learned to remove emotions and approach team building like a scientist: Test, observe, iterate.
I’m learning to expect a mix:
A few star performers, many steady contributors, and some you’ll need to replace.
But most importantly, I’ve learned:
Training isn’t a one-time event.
It’s an ongoing strategy.
Why Video Training Works (And Will Keep Working)
As AI and automation become more mainstream, the way we train both people and technology will evolve.
But the need to clearly document, teach, and reinforce processes will remain.
Even AI needs to be trained to match the experience you want your customers to have.
So whether you’re training humans or machines—or both—clarity is everything.
What’s Next for Me?
This journey has inspired me to explore building:
- A digital product around team training
- A done-for-you service for other business owners
- And even a book around entrepreneurial confidence
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:
When you solve a real problem in your own business, you’re probably solving it for others too.
And that’s what entrepreneurship is all about.
Toolbox for Building a Better Team
If you’re navigating the challenges of building a team, here are some tools I personally use and recommend to lighten the load:
- Fiverr – for hiring freelancers who support your vision
- Bookeo – to streamline bookings and free up your mental space
- Metricool – Automate and analyze your social media and content performance across platforms
- Tailor Brands – for handling the essentials like forming your LLC, creating a professional logo, and building a brand you can be proud of without doing it all yourself
- Virtual Business Address – for separating your business life from personal
