So You Want to Build Your Startup Team?

Here’s What Startups Need to Think About From Someone Who Knows

Ron Johnson is best known by those in the tech world as the guy who turned Apple Stores into a hugely profitable and much-loved retail experience. His newest venture is retail with a digital spin. The startup ENJOY, founded in 2014 and launched officially in New York and San Francisco this year, is an online shopping platform that sells high-end consumer electronics. Couriers, or experts, deliver them to the customer, helping them to install and set up the device or gadget. It’s kind of like an in-home Genius Bar.

So how does ENJOY expand and build a team? We asked Kristina Eastman, Head of Experience and Operations, for some insight.

What did you look for early on when building a team?

Since day one, it’s always been about building a team of people with diverse experiences and backgrounds that are connected by a common vision. You can’t do that without creating extraordinary human connections, so committing to being people-first and treating each other with kindness is a non-negotiable.

Team members also need to be nimble and capable of flexing with change, moving with where the organization needs to go. ENJOY is still in its early phases, so our direction and priorities can shift from day to day. It’s important for people to deal with that ambiguity well, to have initiative and the drive to make an impact.

Now that you're growing, what’s your criterion for a new hire?

Our criterion has remained pretty true to when we first launched – people with heart and a connection to the cause is still the baseline. Now that we’ve launched, I’d say it’s even more important that candidates demonstrate that they’re comfortable with the unknown. We’re always evolving and the right people see that as an opportunity, not a challenge. We’re constantly pausing to evaluate our successes and where we can be better. Unless you’re able to embrace your failures, and collaborate well with others to pivot and move forward together, then it’s just not going to be a great partnership.

Is there one question in particular that helps you determine someone's abilities?

It’s too hard to pick just one! Two questions that I always love to ask are: ‘Tell me about a time you failed?’ and ‘What’s the last time you brought joy to someone’s life?’ In my opinion, failure’s a topic that we’re too often hesitant to speak about, but how people embrace and overcome these challenges is incredibly informative about how they evaluate their self-worth and how they operate as an individual and within a team. As a startup, we need people who are resilient and hungry to learn. Failure is one of the best ways to inspire improvement and creativity.

What can someone do on paper or an application to make their skills stand out?

Leave something to the imagination! Yes, you need to include key elements of past work experiences, but more is not always better when it comes to career accomplishments. I’d prefer to discuss that directly with you.

Furthermore, your resume should include a section that sheds light on what you’re like as a person outside of work – hobbies, passions, the other activities that fill your time beyond work, etc. I want to know you’re a well-rounded person. Work is only one part of your life, so make sure that comes across.

What are some of the most in-demand skills for working at a tech company today?

Sometimes it feels like everything is in demand these days – the tech space is just so competitive! At ENJOY, right now we need more full-stack engineers and there’s quite a bit of demand for these roles within startups given their breadth and depth of their skills. So we’re in hot pursuit – in fact, if you know Ruby on Rails, then you should definitely apply now. If you don’t, don’t worry, you can learn when you get here!

Are you in need of help building your team? Let us help.