Staffing

As a new crafts biz owner, I am quickly learning how critical it is to match the right candidate to the right position in this company.

I got really lucky finding a great Operations Manager. This new hire has already been an excellent sounding board on equipment purchases and workshop layout, and (bonus!) also has prior experience in outdoor craft show booth set up. I have deferred to this person's advice many times in the past couple of months.

In contrast, the new Art Director and I have already butted heads somewhat. Although this employee's initial logo idea really worked for me, we had very different ideas of how the final product should look. Experienced graphic designers that truly "get" you and your business culture are a gold mine though so I'm trying to learn to trust the process more. I really do love my AD's ideas and I think the logo is perfect!

My Chief Information Officer also doubles as a New Media Manager and that is a blessing. We've established that I'm not all that interested in every next, new, tech product and so it's been helpful to be able to leave that realm to someone more into it. To be honest, the CIO / New Media Mgr. is the Hubs.

He is also the AD and the Ops Mgr.

It is hard for me to imagine even considering starting a venture like this without his amazing support. He's the Vice President, head of Logistics, and if there's an immediate need for anything else...a Marketing Director, for example...he'll probably be willing to fill that role too. (I only hope he doesn't aspire to be the Chief Financial Officer, or he'll soon realize how many jobs he's doing for his Tuft salary, which is currently $0.00.) All of this while he finishes a degree and starts his own new career.

I'm guessing a lot of you who craft have a similar supporter. Would love to hear your stories!