Business Isn’t a Solo Hike—How to Build the Right Team Around You

Somewhere between the gravel-strewn parking lot at the Mt. Baker trailhead and the final icy scramble toward the summit, it hits you—this hike would’ve been miserable alone.

The clouds are closing in, swallowing the ridge line in a thick white hush. Your calves are barking, and your boots are rubbing your heels like they’ve filed a formal complaint. Then, through the mist, you hear your hiking buddy call out, “It's the last stretch!” one trekking pole in the air, scanning the climb like a living compass. You stop, catch your breath, and push forward to close the gap. Suddenly, it’s not so bad anymore. That moment right there? That’s the lesson. Business isn’t a solo hike.

Business should not look like this....nor should hiking for that matter.

It’s easy to romanticize the idea of the lone entrepreneur. The hero with a laptop and a dream, brewing their empire in the back of a coffee shop like some caffeinated wizard. But the truth? The climb’s too steep, the gear’s too heavy, and the weather’s too unpredictable to go it alone. Every great business—every lasting one—has a team behind it. A team you build, intentionally. A team that shows up when the trail gets rough. Let’s talk about how to build that team. Not just employees. I’m talking about the whole ecosystem. The crew that supports you, lifts you, fuels you, and yes—remembers your coffee order when you look like you’ve had a week crammed into a single day. Because the truth is, your success depends not just on your skills, but on your circle.

Start With the People Who See Your Blind Spots

There’s a moment in every entrepreneur’s journey when the mirror gets foggy. You can’t tell if your idea is genius or madness. You’re too close to it. Too wrapped up. That’s when you need a sounding board—someone who isn’t afraid to tell you the truth, even when it’s inconvenient. Maybe that’s a business partner. Maybe it’s a mentor. Maybe it’s your spouse looking at your sixth attempt at a brand logo with a raised eyebrow and a gentle, “Babe… why is the ATM wearing sunglasses?” Whoever it is, keep them close. The people who call you out with love, challenge your assumptions, and help you zoom out are the ones who keep your compass calibrated. You don’t need yes-men. You need trail guides.

Vendors and Allies: Your Unsung Heroes

Pictured left to right: Your accountant, Your partner, Your trusted Vendor, Your buddy, Your barista at favorite coffee shop, Your delivery woman.

Now let’s talk about the invisible backbone of your business: vendors. Most small business owners don’t get hyped about vendors. It’s not sexy. It’s not flashy. But hear me out—these are your allies. These are the people who keep your shelves stocked, your machines running, your invoices paid. And when you find the right ones, they’re not just service providers. They’re partners. How do you find them? You don’t just chase the cheapest deal. You build the relationship. You communicate clearly. You show up for them when they need you. That mutual respect? It creates a bond stronger than any signed contract.

Baristas, Neighbors, and People Who Wave

You know who else is part of your unsung hero team? The barista who remembers your drink. Seriously. You might not list them on your org chart, but these people are part of your rhythm. They ground you. They create consistency in the chaos. And if you’re doing it right, you’re creating that same kind of reliability in your business too. The person who waves as you unlock your shop in the morning. The postal worker who slips you a joke with your package. The local taco truck guy who keeps an eye on your storefront after hours. These little moments aren’t little. They’re community. And community is one of the most underrated business assets there is. We’re not just business owners. We’re neighbors. When you show up for your community, they show up for you. Sometimes in ways you never expect. That’s the kind of presence we should be cultivating.

Building a Culture of Ownership (Even When You’re the Only Owner)

Whether you have employees, contractors, or just a rotating crew of temp help, you want people who take pride in what they do. People who feel like they’re part of something.

That starts with you. When people see you care—really care—not just about making money, but about doing good work, serving people, and growing together, they mirror it. Culture is contagious. It’s top-down. It’s sidewalk-up. Even in something like the ATM business, which most folks don’t think of as glamorous or emotional, culture matters. The way I talk to the employees at the the businesses I serve that matters. The tone of our internal messages. The thank-you notes we leave with our host businesses after installs. It all adds up and it all matters. Want your vendors to go above and beyond for you? Show them you see them. Want your part-timers to stay longer than a season? Ask them where they want to grow and actually listen. Want your brand to mean something more than “just another service”? Start acting like it already does. People rise to the environment you create.

Protect Your Energy, But Stay Open

There’s a tricky balance between building a team and protecting your sanity. Not every relationship will work. Not every contractor will follow through. Not every friend is built to be your sounding board. And that’s okay. The key is to stay open without being naïve.

You’re allowed to audit your circle. You’re allowed to fire vendors who ghost you. You’re allowed to walk away from energy-draining partnerships. But don’t let a bad experience turn you into a lone wolf. The wolves don’t win. The pack does. And when you find the right people? Treat them like gold. Not just with money—though yes, pay them well if you can—but with honesty, appreciation, and consistency. Relationships take investment and the returns are exponential.

Even the Lone Ranger Had Tonto

This is what your base camp should look like.

There’s this myth that if you need help, you’re weak. That if you don’t “do it all yourself,” your success is somehow less impressive. That’s nonsense. Even Batman has Robin AND Alfred. The Lone Ranger had Tonto. Sasquatch is probably besties with a Jackalope in the woods that brings him kombucha every time they hang out. Your business will grow as fast as your team does. Not just your staff. Your support network. Your mentors. Your favorite baristas. The whole crew. So take a look around. Who’s in your corner? Who cheers when you win? Who shows up when you don’t ask? And more importantly—who are you showing up for?

Closing Thoughts: Build Your Base Camp

If you’ve ever hiked a serious trail, you know the summit isn’t where you start. You start at base camp. You check your gear. You gather your people. You hydrate, caffeinate, and map the route. That’s what building a business team is. It’s your base camp. You don’t need a massive staff. You need the right relationships. People who believe in your mission. Who want to grow with you. Who’ll meet you at the trailhead even when the sky looks iffy. So next time you catch yourself in “lone ranger” mode, ask yourself: Who’s part of my base camp? Who have I thanked lately? Who needs a tent at the camp? Because business isn’t a solo hike. And the best views? They’re better when you’ve got someone beside you to say, “We made it.”