Hiring a "Tech Entrepreneur in Training"

Discussions
#1

DNSimple is growing our team in 2020, and one of the positions I’ve been considering adding is a General Manager. After discussing with one of the current DNSimple team members about what my expectations are for this new hire, I started thinking about a different twist on the role, and I’d like to get feedback from the Bootstrapped folks.

I want to hire a developer that can help me automate some of our non-automated business processes. In return I will pay said developer (of course) and perhaps more importantly I will mentor them on the tools and techniques that I’ve used over the last 10 years to operate DNSimple. The ideal candidate will be a developer looking to launch their own sustainable, profitable, business. I would expect them to stay on for 1 to 2 years, helping my automate, while I help them improve their operational skills.

WDYT?

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#2

I personally think that’s a great idea. There’s a lot to be said for recognizing that it would be a 1-2 year role and embracing that. That’s plenty of time to help build out infrastructure so that you’ve got some valuable tools when/if they move on and launch their own thing.

#3

It’s definitely a cool idea.

Would you allow them to work on the biz while working at dnsimple? The stability of a paycheck tends to make bootstrapping a side biz easier in the early years.

#4

Yes, furthermore I’d work with them to ensure we include specific addendums to our contract with them so that they retain the IP rights for their business. I did this when I first started DNSimple and I want to ensure that there is no questions around the IP they retain.

1 Like
#5

That sounds amazing and would have been a dream for me when looking to start TheoremReach.

I think if you can find the right candidate, you’ll be spot on. I really like this idea.