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A serial founder makes the exact call you should make for your first seats: hire generalists until product-market fit, because pre-PMF work shifts weekly and one generalist covers roles a specialist would sit idle between. It names the real triggers to switch (roles stabilize, a vertical is proven) so you do not over-hire specialists too early on a tight runway.
Generalists vs. Specialists: Which Should You Hire First in Your Startup?
From Mean CEO (STARTUP POV) by Violetta Bonenkamp 14 min read
- Generalists win pre-PMF on three fronts: they cover multiple roles on a lean budget, absorb shifting priorities, and adapt without friction when you pivot.
- A specialist who resists undefined work becomes a bottleneck early; the range to jump between problems is the trait to screen for.
- Start onboarding specialists only post-PMF, once you know which verticals are critical enough to keep one person fully busy.
