Building Success: The People Side of Startups
Session Content Summary:
Join us for a fireside chat that goes behind the scenes of building and scaling a startup, featuring Michael Farid, co-founder of Spyce, and Lydia Bowers, Spyce’s former Head of People. Michael will share his journey of starting Spyce as an MIT grad student and how it evolved into a cutting-edge restaurant concept that was acquired by Sweetgreen in 2021. Lydia will offer insights from her role in shaping the people side of the business, shedding light on what it takes to build a strong team and culture in a fast-growing startup.
We’ll dive into the highs and lows, from co-founder dynamics to hiring challenges, and how to navigate the tricky but crucial people aspects of starting and growing a company. Expect an open and honest conversation about what worked, what didn’t, and what they learned along the way. This session is for anyone curious about the human side of entrepreneurship and looking for real talk on building a startup from the ground up.
Session Learning Objectives:
Attendees will walk away from this session with a deeper understanding of the people side of starting and scaling a business. They’ll learn about the critical role that team dynamics and company culture play in a startup’s success, especially in the fast-paced world of tech and food innovation. By hearing firsthand stories from both a co-founder and a Head of People, students will gain a balanced perspective on managing the human aspects of entrepreneurship.
Key learning objectives include:
- Cofounder Dynamics: How to navigate relationships between founders, set expectations, and work through conflicts.
- Building and Scaling a Team: Insights on hiring, onboarding, and retaining talent in a startup environment, including common pitfalls to avoid.
- Culture and Values: How to establish and maintain a strong company culture that supports growth and aligns with the business’s mission.
- Learning from Mistakes: Honest reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and how to pivot and adapt when facing challenges.
- HR Strategy for Startups: Practical tips on creating an HR strategy that supports a growing team, including when to make your first people-focused hire.
By the end of the session, attendees will have practical takeaways on fostering a collaborative, motivated team, and building a solid foundation for their future ventures.
Speaker(s):
Lydia Bowers, Head of People at Moxie
