Bringing on a new employee is a big milestone—and a big investment. Whether you’re hiring your first staff member or adding to a growing team, expanding headcount changes the way your business operates, spends, and grows. For Tacoma-area business owners and South Sound entrepreneurs, it also means navigating a regional labor market that can shift quickly—making timing and planning even more critical. Here are a few things to consider before you post that job listing.

Can Your Business Afford the Full Cost of an Employee?

The salary is only part of the picture. When you hire, you’re also taking on payroll taxes, benefits, onboarding costs, training time, and potentially new software or equipment.

Look at your monthly and annual projections. Can your cash flow support this role consistently, even during slow months or seasonal shifts common in many South Sound industries? If there is uncertainty, it may be worth exploring part-time support, contractors, or a phased approach first.

What Problem Are You Solving?

Hiring should always start with a specific need. Are you trying to reduce your workload, improve service, open new revenue streams, or address a skills gap?

The more clearly you define the role’s purpose, the more likely it is to create value—and the easier it is to evaluate success down the line.

Is the Timing Right?

Many business owners feel the urge to hire when things get busy. But before reacting to short-term pressure, take a step back. Is the surge seasonal? Could process improvements or automation solve part of the problem first?

Hiring at the right time means your new team member is set up for success—and your business can support their role sustainably.

Are Your Systems Ready?

Bringing someone onto the team often means rethinking how work gets done. Before you hire, consider:

• Do you have clear processes in place?
• Are your financial systems ready for payroll?
• Is your reporting set up to track the return on investment (ROI) on labor costs?

Even a little prep now can prevent growing pains later—and help your business run more smoothly as your team expands, whether you’re operating in Tacoma, Puyallup, or elsewhere in the South Sound.

What Does This Mean for the Next Phase of Growth?

Every hire should support the bigger picture. Are you moving toward delegation, long-term scalability, or stepping into a more strategic role yourself?

Thinking ahead can help you hire not just for the role you need today, but for where your business is heading next.

Should You Hire for Skill or Potential?

When expanding your team, it’s important to think not just about what the business needs right now, but what kind of support will serve you in the months and years ahead.

In some cases, hiring someone with highly specific experience or technical knowledge makes sense, especially when immediate productivity is essential.

But in other situations, it may be more valuable to hire for potential: someone with the right mindset, willingness to learn, and adaptability to grow with the business.

This decision affects more than just your training plan—it also shapes your team culture, future costs, and the flexibility of your operations as your business evolves.

Hiring Should Be a Strategic Move—Not Just a Necessary One

At J. Ott Business Solutions, I work with business owners across the South Sound to assess the financial implications of hiring, plan for growth, and implement payroll solutions that simplify the process. 

📩 If you’re considering adding to your team, let’s connect and map out your financial direction. Reach out for a confidential consultation today.