Startups are often faced with numerous challenges as they try to get off the ground and establish themselves in the market. One way to increase the chances of success is to have a diverse team with a range of skills and abilities. The terms “hustler,” “hacker,” and “hipster” are often used to describe three types of roles that can be valuable in a startup.
A hustler is someone who is driven and able to get things done, regardless of the obstacles. They are often the ones who are responsible for sales, marketing, and business development. For example, at the early stage startup Zappos, Tony Hsieh, the CEO, played the role of hustler. He was responsible for driving the company’s growth and expansion, and his relentless focus on customer service helped to establish Zappos as a respected and trusted brand.
A hacker is someone who is technically proficient and able to solve complex problems. They might be responsible for developing the product or managing the technical infrastructure of the company. At the startup Dropbox, co-founder Drew Houston played the role of hacker. He was responsible for developing the product, which eventually became a leading cloud storage and file sharing platform.
A hipster is someone who is creative and brings a fresh perspective to the team. They might be responsible for design, branding, or user experience. They often have a strong sense of aesthetics and are able to come up with innovative ideas. At the startup Airbnb, co-founder Joe Gebbia played the role of hipster. He was responsible for the company’s branding and design, and his unique vision helped to establish Airbnb as a trusted and reliable platform for finding short-term rentals.
Having a diverse team with these different skill sets can be very beneficial for a startup. The hustler can bring in new business and drive growth, the hacker can build and maintain the product, and the hipster can help shape the direction and identity of the company.
For example, at the startup Slack, co-founder Stewart Butterfield played the role of hustler, driving the company’s growth and expansion. Co-founder Cal Henderson played the role of hacker, responsible for developing the product and managing the technical infrastructure. And co-founder Eric Costello played the role of hipster, responsible for design and user experience. Together, these three founders were able to create a successful and innovative company that revolutionized the way teams communicate and collaborate.
It’s worth noting that these roles are not mutually exclusive and a single person can often embody more than one of these qualities. The most important thing is to have a team that is well-rounded and able to tackle the various challenges that a startup will inevitably face. By building a team with a diverse set of skills and abilities, startups can increase their chances of success and navigate the often-tumultuous landscape of the startup world.
