One of the most asked questions I get when your business starts growing is, “Who do I hire first?”

Unfortunately, there is not one answer that fits all because every business has different pressure points. What your business needs first depends on what is currently draining your time, slowing your growth, or keeping you stuck operating in survival mode. But I do think there are a few common first hires most business owners consider, and each one comes with very different benefits, risks, and emotional realities.

The mistake I see most often is hiring on overwhelm instead of strategy. When we are exhausted, every problem feels urgent, and that can lead us to hiring the wrong position first simply because we are desperate for any kind of relief. That is why I always encourage business owners to fill in their organizational chart first and really assess where the bottleneck is happening inside your business before making a hiring decision.

Here are three types of roles to think about when it is time to hire:

Hiring an Admin First

For many business owners, an admin is the first hire that creates breathing room. Administrative tasks are mentally exhausting because they interrupt everything. Emails, scheduling, follow ups, invoicing, client communication, calendar management, and random daily tasks constantly pull business owners out of deep work and strategic thinking. Even though these tasks are not “big,” they create a tremendous amount of mental clutter.

Hiring an admin can help restore focus and free up emotional energy very quickly. The downside is that admins usually do not directly generate revenue. They create support, organization, and efficiency, but if the business does not already have stable revenue coming in, some owners begin feeling financially stressed carrying payroll for a role that is not directly tied to sales.

Hiring a Sales Person First

Hiring sales first can accelerate growth very quickly whether or not your systems are ready for it. A strong sales person can bring in leads, increase revenue, improve follow up, and help create momentum inside the business. For business owners who are uncomfortable selling or who have become the bottleneck in lead conversion, this hire can feel transformational.

But if your backend systems, operations, fulfillment, or customer experience are not ready, sales can magnify problems instead of solve them and your reputation and credibility will take a hit. More clients do not automatically fix a struggling business. Sometimes they simply expose the cracks faster.

There is also an emotional shift that happens when you stop being the primary salesperson for your business. Many owners struggle letting go of that role because sales often feels tied to their identity and the relationships they have with clients.

Hiring an Apprentice First

An apprentice or junior level employee can be an incredible option for business owners who need support but are not financially ready for a high salary position yet. This type of hire allows the business owner to train someone in their systems, culture, and workflow from the ground up. Apprentices are often eager to learn, highly adaptable, and grateful for mentorship opportunities.

The challenge is that apprentices require a significant amount of time, training, patience, and leadership upfront. In the beginning, they usually create more work before they start creating relief. That part catches many business owners off guard. If you are already overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, and struggling with time management, hiring an apprentice without proper bandwidth for training can create frustration for both sides.

But when approached intentionally, apprentices often grow into some of the most loyal and aligned team members because they were developed inside the company from the beginning and have helped build your company.

So…Who Should You Hire First?

The answer usually comes down to this question: What is currently costing your business the most?

• If constant interruptions are draining your focus and slowing productivity, an admin may be the right first step.
• If sales are inconsistent and growth has plateaued, sales support may be needed first.
• If workload is growing but budgets are still tight, an apprentice may create the best long term opportunity.

The right hire is the role that creates the healthiest next step for the stage your business is currently in. And financially, your business should be prepared with 3 months of payroll before you hire anyone. Because no matter who you hire first, making sure you can afford to pay them is your role as the owner.

Final Thoughts from Your Favorite Accountant 🧡

Before making your next hire, identify where the true bottleneck exists inside your business and ask yourself whether the role you are considering will actually solve that problem long term.

Add that role with the salary to the organizational chart to help you prepare for increased payroll costs.

Because at the end of the day, cash flow isn’t luck, it’s strategy. And it’s my goal to make that strategy as simple as possible for you.

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