If you are hiring at a startup, there is something to realize: This is probably one of the worst times to look for talent. While inflation continues to explode and the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates, consumer confidence remains flat, and unemployment is at an all-time low. The economic outlook for businesses and markets is bleak, but companies are still reliant on their employees, who seemingly have infinite choices of jobs.
Big tech may have released about 10% of its talented workforce back to the marketplace, but it is often not employees doing the essential work. Most startups did not have the money to compete capital-wise, particularly in talent. Your first employees (your first 20-25) joined you because they were looking for something big companies with capital could not provide.
Your job is to find out what that something is and to provide it.