Hiring & Letting Go
Hey there!
Letting go of amazing team members is definitely one of the hardest parts of my job as a business owner. It is so hard to watch talented people move on to new and better opportunities. Or at least it’s getting a little, little easier as I am learning to shift my mindset to be happy for them that I gave them as much as I could to prepare them for their next season.
Hiring is the scariest part of my job as well as taking on the responsibility of another human being’s livelihood and providing them a safe and stable place they can come to work and provide for their family. And at Choco le`a, we aren’t just finding team members, we are investing in chocolate family members who we will care for in every way we can.
Whenever this season comes when I have to let an amazing chocolate family member move on to chase their next dream and am left with a void, carrying the extra load, and hoping for someone to take their place, it is when I find myself heavily relying on God. I am praying constantly for the right person and for peace and comfort in letting go.
Thankfully time and time again, though not in my timing, but every time for the past 10+ years, He has provided. And every time this passes, it gets just a tiny bit easier as I learn to trust in Him.
I think I’ve cried every time someone leaves because I deeply care for my people. But I have come to learn, that sometimes, new people bring a fresh new energy, perspective, and joy to our little chocolate home! And so change can also be exciting too!
The #1 challenge I hear from small business owners like myself, is holding onto great people and finding workers. It is so hard for us to compete financially with the big giants who can offer unreal benefits that we have never seen in our lifetime! Plus generational differences in work perspectives and technology and changing times, also propose great challenges. I myself struggle with this as a small local business owner in the most expensive cost of living and cost of doing business place on the planet, Hawai`i.
However, after 10 years of doing this, here’s the bit of tips I can offer for both letting go and hiring to help you find peace in the process…
erin’s tips for letting go
Tell the person how much they have contributed to the company and thank them for all of their hard work.
Offer to be a professional reference and support them on their ongoing journey.
Know that that season, was a time in your lives where they helped you, and you helped them. It was a win-win.
Ask them to send any recommendations your way and to set up their position for the next person to be as successful as possible.
erin’s tips for hiring
Word of mouth is the best. Tell everyone what kind of person you are looking for and let others know you need help finding him/her.
Post a sign in your window. People look for work based on proximity and convenience to home too.
Let them know the expectations up front and be as clear and honest as possible with the job description, schedule, and benefits.
Take your time with the interview process. Do multiple rounds with multiple team members.
And of course trust in God and His timing. I’m on this journey with you too.
Faith forward my friend.
Lots of love always, erin