25. How to Hire the Right People for Your Business (and Avoid Costly Mistakes)
Hiring is broken—but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve seen firsthand how the wrong hire can drain time, energy, and money. But when you get it right, it’s magic. In this episode of Side Note, I’m sharing my personal playbook for strategic hiring—how to find the right people, avoid common hiring traps, and build a team that actually supports your business growth. Whether you have a few contractors or a full-scale team, all it requires is a little intention and a few key questions to unlock the right people in the right places.
🔗 Grab the AI guide: Turn AI Into Your Marketing Team
I break down how to identify hiring gaps before you’re scrambling, why 80% of your time should be spent in your "genius zone," and the three essential interview questions that reveal more than a resume ever could. Plus, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own hiring process—how I use test projects to assess strategic thinking and cultural fit, and how I use intuition as one of my many hiring tools. If you’ve been putting off hiring (or made hiring mistakes before), this episode is for you.
In this episode, I discuss:
How do you know when it’s time to hire? (And why you should do it before you feel ready)
What are the three hiring questions that reveal more than a resume ever could?
Why most hiring processes fail (and how to avoid the biggest mistakes)
How to hire strategically so you can focus on revenue-generating activities
The role of intuition in hiring: red flags, gut feelings, and making confident decisions
Watch on YouTube
Key Takeaways
Focus on Genius Zone (00:00 - 00:09)
80% of work should be in the genius zone and revenue-driving activities.
Networking and client meetings are important for business growth.
Strategic Hiring Insights (00:09 - 00:20)
Discussed the flaws in traditional hiring processes.
Importance of cultural fit and strategic thinking in hiring.
Identifying Hiring Needs (00:20 - 00:29)
Need for a structured approach to hiring and understanding team dynamics.
Emphasized the importance of values alignment and emotional intelligence.
Hiring Process and Best Practices (00:29 - 00:38)
Outlined the steps in the hiring process, including audits and test projects.
It is important to hire before feeling fully ready to ensure business growth.
Onboarding and Feedback (00:38 - 00:45)
Discussed the need for proper onboarding and feedback mechanisms.
Emphasized the importance of adapting to team dynamics and providing clear expectations.
About your host: Samantha Fackler is an Executive Leadership Coach and Marketing Advisor who transforms how women entrepreneurs grow a freedom-based business. After scaling 100+ companies over 12+ years with both Fortune 500 companies (think Apple, PayPal, LinkedIn) and early-stage founders, she brings a rare blend of corporate strategy and holistic leadership to help you scale intentionally. Her approach? Building aligned, profitable businesses without the burnout narrative. Because success shouldn't cost you your wellbeing.
Watch: HOW TO SCALE Masterclass Replay (FREE for a limited time)
Join Sam's Mastermind Group for Women Entrepreneurs: Apply here
Connect with Sam:
Instagram: @growwith_sam
TikTok: @sidenotepod
Website: www.growwithsam.com
YouTube: @sidenotepod
Have a transformation story worth sharing? Top-tier women entrepreneurs can apply to be a guest at sidenotepod.com.
