Hiring your first employee is a significant milestone in any entrepreneur’s journey. For Brian and Mary Jo Sullivan, this experience came with a blend of excitement and apprehension. With the weight of responsibility on their shoulders, they navigated the complexities of finding the right person to join their team.

First Hire: Job Offer in a Driveway

“Before cash flow and debt were active concerns, I had to hire employees. I knew how to do the work my company would be doing, but there were many other required roles I had no experience doing. My mind would spin for hours about where to get quality employees and what a best-fit employee would look like.

As I talked things out with our family, our sister-in-law, Donna, expressed interest in working for the company and helping to get it off the ground. I shared with her that I’d love to have her on the team, but with no predicted revenue coming in to start the company, I wouldn’t be able to hire her for a long time because I wouldn’t be able to pay her. Donna’s response was essentially, “Come on. I love you guys. I’ll do it for free until you can afford to pay me. It will likely help you guys get started to have some office help.”

Well, a few weeks later, I drove to Donna’s house, asked her if she was serious, and then hired our first employee with a five-minute conversation in her driveway. Things got very real when I had someone else counting on the success of the company. I recognized the sacrifice that Donna and her husband, Vinny, Mary Jo’s brother, were making in their own household to help get our business off the ground. But I knew they were confident enough in me, and that was a huge boost to my confidence and motivation.”

The experience of hiring their first employee brought both challenges and immense motivation for Brian and Mary Jo. The unwavering support from family, especially from Donna, highlighted the importance of trust and belief in one another when venturing into the unknown.

As they continue to grow their business, they encourage other entrepreneurs to seek out support networks and remain open to the unexpected opportunities that can arise. 

If you’re interested in more insights and stories about balancing faith, family, and business, order “Entrepreneurial Trinity“.