Building a Team Without Breaking Your Business

Hiring help shouldn’t feel like a leap into chaos—it should feel like stepping into the next chapter of growth with strategy and clarity.

When you’re running a creative business, especially in retail or interior design, hiring can feel like a risk you’re not ready to take. The stakes feel high: you’re not just managing payroll, you’re protecting your creativity, sanity, and margins.

Here’s how to shift your approach to hiring so that it fuels sustainable, profitable growth—not burnout.

Part of our team---Liz may drive us crazy some days but boy, does she get it done! 

Yes, compensation matters. But it’s not just about affording a salary—it’s about understanding how your new hire can generate more income or free up your time to do so. Do the math: how much do they cost per month, and how will they earn or save that amount through client work, efficiency, or sales?

Pro tip: if the idea of long-term commitment freaks you out, shift your perspective to a 90-day window. You’ll quickly see if the fit is right—without overcommitting.

Top talent wants ownership over their results. That’s where incentives come in. Create bonus structures that align with your business goals—whether that’s hitting monthly revenue, increasing upsells, or even collecting client reviews.

People work differently when they know performance equals payoff. It’s not about pressure—it’s about shared wins.

Can’t offer traditional benefits like healthcare? That’s okay. Small perks can make a big impact.

Think outside the box: cover education that benefits the business, offer memberships to local organizations, or surprise your team with curated subscription boxes or healthy home deliveries. These touches build loyalty and community.

Hiring right is only half the equation—keeping great people matters even more.

That means creating a culture of creativity, trust, and respect. Encourage open dialogue, flexible schedules, and even mistakes (yep, really). Mistakes often reveal bigger systems issues—and great teams solve them together.

And don’t underestimate the power of fun: spontaneous gift card grabs, team challenges, or just a well-timed Friday off can do more for morale than you might think.

Hiring isn’t about adding a name to the payroll—it’s about removing pressure from your plate so your business can grow. Done right, your next hire won’t just support your business--they’ll help it thrive.

 Cheryl Kees Clendenon is a business strategist who works with other small businesses and interior designers to create legacy businesses built for growth. She also owns a 24 year full-service design firm and retail showroom, In Detail Interiors, based in Pensacola, Fla. [email protected]