Welcome along to Coffee with Claire.
Today is a little different. I want to talk honestly about building businesses and the things I really wish I had understood earlier. The mistakes, the lessons, and the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference.
There are many lessons, but today I want to focus on three that have had the biggest impact for me.
Hire Before You Feel Ready
This is a huge one.
In my mortgage business, it was very easy to delay hiring because of fear. Fear about revenue. Fear about cash flow. Fear about whether it would all work out.
What helped me shift that mindset was breaking the cost down monthly instead of annually. A yearly salary feels overwhelming. A monthly number feels manageable and actionable.
When you look at hiring this way, you can align it with realistic monthly revenue goals instead of one big scary annual figure. That mindset shift gave me the confidence to hire earlier.
The other part of this is understanding the value of your time. What could you create, solve, or improve if you had more capacity? Strategy. New services. Better systems. Growth opportunities.
There is also a natural competence curve when you hire. Initially it takes time and energy to train someone. Then suddenly productivity lifts and the whole business benefits. Hiring earlier allows that curve to happen sooner.
Hire Clever People Who Fit the Culture
This one took a few hard lessons.
I have hired people who were amazing culture fits but did not have the competence needed for the role. That did not work. I have also hired for competence without culture fit. That also did not work.
The magic happens when you hire clever people who align with your culture and values. People with transferable skills who can learn your way of doing things.
Someone might know the role on paper, but they still need to learn your systems, your expectations, and your approach. Culture matters just as much as skill.
When those two align, everything becomes easier.
Never Underestimate Leadership and Inspiration
As teams grow, leadership becomes more important, not less.
Clear communication, shared vision, and genuine inspiration are essential. People want to know why their work matters and how they fit into the bigger picture.
Leadership is not just about direction. It is about connection. It is about helping people do their best work and feel proud of what they contribute.
As our team has grown, doubling down on leadership has been one of the most important things we have done.
Final Thoughts
If I could go back and tell myself anything, it would be this.
Hire earlier than feels comfortable.
Hire clever people who fit your culture.
And never underestimate the power of leadership.
Those three lessons have shaped everything we have built.