Hot take: 99% of super early-stage startups shouldn’t be remote.*
*Caveat: Of course, in-person work doesn’t work for everyone. Accommodations should be made for those who need them. Other than that, though, I stand by what I said. Here’s why:
If there’s one regret I have with building Chezie it’s not starting fully in-person first. While remote work is the big trend these days, I’ve seen firsthand the magic that happens when a small, scrappy team is in the same room together. The ability to walk over to someone, ask a question on the spot, or quickly iterate on feedback has been crucial during our in-person offsites. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish we had that energy consistently.
I get it—remote work can be more inclusive for some folks, like parents or people with accessibility needs. I’m all for the flexibility it provides. But in these early days of startup life, when you're really trying to hit the gas pedal, there’s really nothing like working side by side with your team. Remote work can sometimes slow things down, especially when you’re in the “move fast and break things” phase of growth.
That said, I think once a company grows to 15-20 people, going remote makes more sense. It allows you to tap into a more affordable talent pool, possibly even globally. Plus, it gives you access to a more diverse group of people who can bring fresh perspectives that you might miss if you’re only hiring locally. But for the very early stages? I think staying in-person helps you build momentum faster.
Yes, remote work is the wave right now. But something special happens when you keep your super early-stage startup in person. You move faster, iterate quicker, and build a tighter team.
What do other founders think? Would you go fully remote from day one, or do you see value in starting in person first?
#remotework #startups
Congrats! 🎊