Operator first.
I co-founded Smoke Cartel in 2013, ran its operations for four years, then served as CEO and Chairman, took the company public, and led it through its acquisition. Here I write about what actually keeps an e-commerce business running: operations, fulfillment, technology, and the people who make it all work.
I still consult for businesses looking to improve their operations, grow, and strengthen their teams.
Latest from The Team You Build
Should You Hire Your Friends? A Common Hiring Mistake →
The short answer: usually, no. Hiring your friends puts a brand new power dynamic on top of a relationship that was built without one, and most friendships don't survive the...
You Are a Teacher, Not a Babysitter →
Managing isn't instructions going down and results coming up. It's building a team that pushes itself to get better. A debate exercise borrowed from Tibetan monks, the one-year coffee, and...
Hire the Scrapper, Not the Resume →
Nobody on the team that built Smoke Cartel had the job title they ended up needing. Including me. Here's why I stopped expecting the perfect resume, and what I hire...
The Team You Build
I'm writing a book: a blunt, field-tested guide to building a team that will outlast you. Hiring the scrappers, paying people fairly, building the boring systems so the big stuff doesn't happen, and what to do when it all breaks anyway.
!["Just a Chat" Consultation Booking [30 Min]](http://darbycox.com/cdn/shop/files/Just_a_Chat_1080x1080_1_{width}x.png?v=1791847814)
!["Just a Chat" Consultation Booking [30 Min]](http://darbycox.com/cdn/shop/files/Just_a_Chat_1080x1080_1_large.png?v=1791847814)
