Ask HN: Startup grew from 2 to 3 people. What should CEO be paying attention to?

CEO of a basement ML/hardware company. My CTO/brother is primarily on algorithm and firmware right now and we just brought on a long time friend and occasional coworker as COO / product lead. I fill all over the place. So far things have been going fine, but they're fine until they're not and I'd like to know what you all have had to do when your team grew by 50% overnight. Some things we've had to change already are:

> Use actual task tracking software instead of personal to-do lists

> Actual scheduled planning meetings instead of random thoughts about business at the kitchen table

> Converting to a Delaware C Corp instead of WA LLC

> Compiling a list of mentors, advisors, and other network connections

> Daily standup (5 minute)

> Actual office space

> Deliberate company culture initiatives instead of decades of established family values

Hit me with your war stories and advice.

You're doing fine. Writing down all communications is a solid step. Don't get caught up in process this early because you're going to burn up valuable time and effort.

Worry about your customers, your product and the end goal, whatever that is for the ML/hardware you're making. Make sure everybody understands that and things will work out until you get to >10 people.

Also remember that culture is something that grows bottom up. You don't set it by decree, rather it's something that forms from the shared values and motivations of the people you hire. Keep that in mind when forming your team because those early employees will have a massively outsized impact on the company going forward.

Makes sense! Keep up the good work!! I think as the other poster said, business results are #1 internal processes #2.

Definitely. I'd be asking about product and algorithms if I thought I'd get a good answer here but alas those I have to do myself.

"team grew by 50% overnight"

Technically yes but you only went from 2 to 3. That is not a huge change. I grew our team (2 brothers as well) to 12 and that has been a tremendous challenge being bootstrapped without any help. My brother is also the CTO but he has no strategic/entrepreneurial ambitions even though he is really really good at what he does.

I would say don't over think this. Yes, you will ultimately need more systems/process/planning but with 3 people, its not a whole lot yet. In my personal experience, I started realizing the need for some of these when we went past 10 of us but it all depends on where the team is and if everyone works in the same office.

I highly recommend getting some type of office space asap even if co=working/shared. I am a big believer in people getting together in person specially for startups. Even if it is not all the time but you need a place where the team can get together. If you do get an office space, plan to stay there at least 2 years before you can outgrow it unless you really hit the home run. Baby Steps, one thing at a time. Good luck.