Hiring for Hunger, Not Just Talent
When you’re building a company, it’s tempting to chase the most polished resumes. The people with the perfect background, big-name logos, or impressive credentials. But here’s what I’ve learned...
Talent without hunger doesn’t win.
The best team members I’ve ever worked with weren’t always the most experienced. They were the ones who cared deeply, who took ownership, and who refused to settle.
Hunger beats pedigree every time.
Early-stage startups are hard. You need people who believe in the mission when it’s messy — before there’s press, before there’s traction, before there’s a safety net. The ones who’ll figure it out because they have to.
When I was building Upsie, I couldn’t always compete with big-company salaries. What I could offer was opportunity. A chance to build something meaningful from the ground up. And the people who said yes to that? They’re the reason we made it as far as we did.
So when you’re hiring, don’t just ask, “Can they do the job?” Ask, “Do they want it bad enough to do what it takes when things get hard?”
Because skill gets you in the room — but hunger keeps you there.
Keep going,
Clarence
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