Alex Simmons’ Post

The question every startup founder dreads: "So...how many people do you have?" Last year, I would stutter and downplay our team size. Not just because our team was small. But because I knew my answer would challenge everything people assumed about 'successful' startups. Today, I lean into it. From day one, we made a conscious choice to bootstrap Boon with a lean team rather than chase the VC gravy train. It wasn't always the popular choice, but it felt right. Watching the market shifts since 2022 has validated that decision in ways I never expected. We've seen several well-funded competitors, some with unicorn valuations, go through multiple painful layoff rounds. The "grow at all costs" playbook doesn't work in a world of rising interest rates and AI transformation. Here's what building differently has taught us: Small core teams can create massive impact when you: - Build smart systems that scale - Leverage global talent networks - Automate the right things (not everything) - Focus on what matters most The numbers tell the story: 10 core team members 300 global coaches Serving thousands of leaders More revenue per employee than most Series C companies And we did it without the traditional "hire fast, figure it out later" playbook. This isn't just about being lean - it's about being intentional. Every hire, every system, every partnership has to multiply our impact, not just add to our headcount. With the changing landscape in VC and the explosion of AI, we're seeing that the foundation of building businesses is shifting forever. The future belongs to companies that can do more with less. Feels like the way it should be.