The Realm of Low Expectations
February 20, 2026
As a startup investor, I've seen many careers develop over the last 20 years and one of the worst patterns I see is: low expectations.
Today, we’re talking about the right time to start scaling your team. Most founders are too anxious to hire a big team but the more cautious also need to seize their opportunity when the moment comes. So how do you know?
1. Revenue baseline. If you’re generating less than $250k in annualized revenue, bookings or an equivalent, team scaling should not be your focus yet.
2. Growth. 10%/month growth consistently for 3+ months is a strong indicator and adds up fast. That pace roughly equates to doubling every 6 months, which likely requires more hands on deck.
3. Pipeline. A large backlog of customers, ready to go live, will sustain your growth. If your trajectory looks set to continue, it might be time to start hiring.
Expanding your team is a big commitment and changes your role as a founder but it’s also a natural step in your company’s growth, so don’t resist for too long.
Best of luck out there.
