In today’s episode, Melissa and Meredith are joined by Shaina Anderson, founder of Hello Generalist, for a real talk on building effective teams through fractional support. With a deep background scaling startups like Yelp and Choose, Shaina offers a front-row view into the shifting workforce and how creative agency founders can build smarter, leaner teams—without compromising on talent. From understanding the rise of fractional roles to knowing when it’s time to hire full-time, this episode is packed with practical insights for founders navigating uncertain markets, limited budgets, and the ever-evolving talent landscape.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Should I hire full-time or fractional?”
• “What even is fractional, really?”
• “How do I build a high-performing team without burning cash?”
• This one’s for you.

What to expect in this episode:

• How Shaina went from food trucks to running ops at venture-backed startups to founding Hello Generalist
• The difference between fractional, freelance, advisory, and full-time roles—and how to know what you actually need
• Why more businesses are turning to fractional support in today’s economic climate
• How to scope roles correctly (and avoid costly hiring mistakes)
• When it’s time to make the leap to full-time hires—and when it’s smarter not to
• Why the future of work is flexible, and what that means for growing agencies

Actionable takeaways:

• Don’t get stuck in “word soup.” Focus first on the problem you’re solving, then define the role.
• Use fractional roles to test and learn before committing to a full-time hire.
• Hiring methodically—whether part-time or full-time—is a learnable, repeatable process.
• Prioritize both values and skills when hiring. Culture and capability go hand in hand.
• Start small: use well-scoped projects to vet fractional partners before expanding the relationship.

Real talk moments:

• “Hiring is a skill—not a vibe.” Build a process and improve it over time.
• “Fractional doesn’t mean flaky.” These are embedded leaders—often with stronger resumes than you’d find on the full-time market.
• “Your business evolves—so should your team structure.” Don’t force full-time hires if you don’t have to.
• “Superstars with bad values tank your culture.” And no, it’s not worth it.
• “Don’t chase titles—chase solutions.” A generalist with the right attitude can be more powerful than a specialist in the wrong seat.

Connect with Shaina Anderson:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: hellogeneralist.com
• Substack: At Work by Shaina
• LinkedIn: Shaina Anderson
• Upcoming: Manual Override – a summer accelerator for independent professionals