What Startups Taught Me About People, Pressure & Purpose
There’s something wildly addictive about working with startups.
The energy.
The chaos.
The endless Google Docs.
The dreams are too big for the budget.
As an HR professional who’s had the privilege of working with both grounded corporates and sky-high startups, I can confidently say: startups hit different. And not just in the fast-paced, hustle-till-you-drop kind of way—but in the rawness of it all. The humanity. The mess. The magic.
Here are a few unfiltered lessons I’ve learned from diving headfirst into the world of startups—and why I keep coming back.
🌪 1. There Are No HR Handbooks for Chaos
Startups often bring me in after their fourth hire—usually when the founder realizes things like contracts, culture, or “basic boundaries” are missing. I’ve seen 20-page employment agreements borrowed from someone’s uncle’s law firm and onboarding that includes: “Here’s the Wi-Fi password. Good luck!”
But guess what?
Those first few messy months are golden. Why? Because there’s still room to build things right—to design policies that breathe, craft culture intentionally, and grow teams without suffocating red tape.
👀 2. Founders Are (Secretly) Human
I’ve had late-night calls with founders freaking out over their first termination. I’ve seen tears in meetings after a team member quits unexpectedly. I’ve sat across visionaries who can pitch to investors like pros—but get knots in their stomach when having tough conversations with their team.
Underneath all the “founder” titles are humans figuring things out on the fly. And honestly, that vulnerability? That’s where the best HR starts.
🔥 3. People Are the Fire and the Fuel
The biggest myth? That product is everything. Nope.
People build product. People scale ideas. People carry culture.
When HR is reduced to just payroll and paperwork, you miss the real gold. When you invest in your people—clear roles, honest feedback, growth paths, emotional support—you build something scalable. Something sustainable.
Not perfect. But real.
✨ Why I’ll Always Choose Startups
Working with startups is unpredictable.
Sometimes, the budget’s tight.
Sometimes, you’re wearing six hats.
Sometimes, Whatsapp, Emails, Slack etc, go silent and you wonder if anyone even read the HR handbook you spent 10 hours creating.
But every time I help a team hire their first rockstar, define their values, or navigate tough people moments—they light up. And so do I.
Because I don’t just love HR—I love watching people come alive at work.
💭 Final Thought:
Startups may not have corner offices or polished HR decks (yet). But they’ve got something rarer—a chance to get it right from day one. That’s why AnzaFlow exists. That’s why I show up.
If you’re building something bold, just know: your people strategy is your superpower. And I’m cheering you on, all the way.
Until next time,
Baraka
Founder, AnzaFlow HR
