In this episode, Charles dives deep into the world of strategic hiring and company culture with Eric Bandholz, the founder of Beardbrand who transformed a passion for men's grooming into a thriving e-commerce empire. Eric shares his incredible journey from experiencing hiring nightmares to developing a revolutionary 9-step hiring process that boasts a remarkable 95% success rate. Eric challenges conventional hiring wisdom, emphasizing the critical role of company culture and core values in building a sustainable business. Eric and Charles explore the importance of cultural fit, thorough vetting processes, and creating a work environment where both founders and employees can thrive. Eric's bootstrap mentality shines through as he breaks down his strategies for growing a business organically and reinvesting profits. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey, strategic hiring, and maintaining a strong company culture even as the business scales. Whether you're a startup founder struggling with hiring decisions, an established business owner looking to improve team cohesion, or an HR professional seeking innovative recruitment strategies, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Prepare to revolutionize your approach to hiring, team building, and company culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Discover how Eric turned hiring challenges into a 95% success rate Learn why cultural fit is as crucial as skills in the hiring process Gain insights into creating a compelling job listing that attracts the right candidates Understand the power of core values in shaping company culture Explore strategies for conducting effective reference checks Learn how to implement a thorough skills assessment process Discover the benefits of a bootstrap mentality in business growth Understand the importance of balancing performance with cultural alignment Learn strategies for maintaining company culture as your business scales Explore the long-term benefits of investing in a strong company culture Head over to https://podcast.iamcharlesschwartz.com/ to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode. KEY POINTS: 2:01 Business Journey: Eric shares his experience building Beard Brand from a startup to an e-commerce empire. 4:15 Hiring Process: He outlines his revolutionary 9-step hiring process that achieved a 95% success rate. 6:02 Hiring Mindset: The entrepreneur emphasizes the importance of having the right mindset when hiring. 8:30 Job Listings: Bandholz explains how to create compelling job listings that attract the right candidates. 10:12 Reference Checks: He stresses the crucial role of thorough reference checks in the hiring process. 12:14 Resume Screening: The founder details his approach to the resume screening process. 15:12 E-commerce Focus: Eric discusses the specifics of running an e-commerce business. 17:14 Core Values: He delves into the importance of aligning core values in hiring decisions. 20:10 Employee vs Entrepreneur: Bandholz distinguishes between employee and entrepreneur mindsets. 22:30 Application Process: The businessman outlines his unique job application process. 25:01 Compensation Policy: Eric explains Beard Brand's compensation policy and philosophy. 27:11 Skills Testing: He provides an overview of their skills testing approach for candidates. 30:18 Candidate Investment: The entrepreneur discusses the importance of investing time in potential hires. 32:54 Accountability: Bandholz emphasizes the value of accountability in the workplace. 37:23 Honesty: He underscores the significance of honesty throughout the hiring process. 39:44 Reference Process: Eric details their thorough reference check process. 42:50 Power of Silence: The founder explains how silence can be a powerful tool during interviews. 45:52 Red Flags: Bandholtz identifies key red flags to watch out for when hiring. 49:58 Gut Instinct: He advises lis