Avoiding the Biggest Startup Mistake: Founder & CEO Jeff Althaus Picking Your People

Starting a new venture is equal parts exciting and anxiety-inducing. While the thrill of bringing an idea to life can be invigorating, the challenges that come with it can be overwhelming at the best of times. Building the right team is one of the most critical aspects of the journey. Many founders make the mistake of going it alone, but even more make the mistake of taking the plunge with the wrong people. The people who are with you in the beginning can make or break your startup, and here's why.

In the early stages of a startup, every decision is amplified. A misstep in hiring can set the company back significantly, while the right hires can propel it forward exponentially. The initial team members must not only share the founder's vision but also possess the skills and flexibility needed to navigate the unpredictable landscape of a startup. While some founders are lucky enough to work with mentors or receive guidance from industry experts who have seen it all before, not everyone is so fortunate. That’s why Jeff Althaus, Founder and CEO of Mozrt, is passionate about sharing his decades of learnings with the public. He aims to help aspiring founders avoid the struggles he has faced head-on and put their best foot forward.

"For me, personally, I just felt like I was ready to launch my own company," Jeff begins. "But at the same time, I recognized the areas that I just didn't know enough about. Those were the areas where I made sure to surround myself with people who were really good in those specific parts of the business." This humility and self-awareness have been key to Mozrt's success, allowing Jeff to onboard individuals who complement his strengths while bringing additional skills, expertise, and backgrounds to level up the mission even further.

In the early stages of a startup, finding the right people is paramount. Jeff emphasizes, "The people you pick in the beginning are so key, but then also throughout the growth journey." He describes the ideal early team members as those with a "whatever it takes" mentality, able to wear multiple hats and move fluidly across different areas of the business. "You have to get those people that not only have the mindset of whatever it takes but also someone that isn’t necessarily locked in a single swim lane."

Jeff is candid about the challenges of finding such versatile team members. "Getting those people is really, really difficult," he admits. "Not everybody is a startup person. Not everybody is as good at swimming across multiple lanes at once." This reality sometimes necessitates difficult decisions. "If something or somebody is not working out, you can’t make that decision fast enough to go in and make that change in your organization."

Despite these challenges, Jeff's strategy for team building has paid off. "The team at Mozrt, they all know a lot about a lot. Everyone is extremely agile and can wear many hats. They have their expertise, but they can hop into any zone." This flexibility and breadth of knowledge have been crucial to Mozrt's rapid growth and success.

Another unique aspect of Mozrt's team culture is the high level of buy-in from every team member. "Everyone in this company is acting as if they are the founder," Jeff notes. This sense of ownership and commitment is no accident. Jeff fosters it through transparency and empowerment. "We’ve been 100% transparent from day one. My big belief is that it’s all about expectations." By opening up the books and sharing the company's vision and challenges, Jeff ensures that every team member feels like a vital part of the journey.

Passion is another critical factor Jeff looks for in potential hires. "A big part of getting and attracting the right people is understanding their passion and what makes them tick. We want people that have been there, done that, and have a lot of expertise. But if they have a passion for it, it's a much easier decision for us to bring them into the mix."

Reflecting on the team he has built at Mozrt, Jeff is unequivocal in his praise. "In my entire career, I have been very impressed with various people along my journey. But at Mozrt, it’s been just absolutely crazy. The team we built here are all rock stars."

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Founders

Jeff Althaus’s approach to hiring and team building at Mozrt offers several valuable lessons for any entrepreneur:

1. Self-Awareness: Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. Surround yourself with people who compliment your skills and bring additional expertise to the table.

2. Versatility: In the early stages, look for team members who can wear multiple hats and are not confined to a single role. This flexibility is crucial for navigating the unpredictable startup landscape.

3. Passion and Buy-In: Seek individuals who are passionate about your mission. Ensure they feel like they are part of the journey by being transparent and setting clear expectations.

4. Quick Decision-Making: If someone is not working out, make the decision to change quickly. The longer you wait, the more it can hinder your business's growth. This is also the case when bringing on new talent. The best people don’t always come around when you’re looking, but if you find someone perfect, you need to act fast. 

5. Transparency: Be open about your company's vision, challenges, and successes. This transparency fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among team members.

By following these principles, aspiring founders can build strong, dynamic teams that drive their startups toward success. Jeff Althaus’s experience with Mozrt and countless ventures in the past is a testament to the power of picking the right people and fostering a collaborative, passionate, and versatile team culture.