Season 7 - Episode 8: Skip the Payroll - Keep the Progress

What happens after you exit your startup and don't want a boss again? Taylor Crane shares how that moment led to a new way of working—and a new way of thinking about early hires. We dig into product lessons, co-founder dynamics, and what fractional roles look like behind the scenes. Plus, we cover when bringing on part-time leadership is actually smarter than hiring full-time.

Takeaways

• Taylor Crane started his first company during the pandemic.

• His poker app aimed to create a friendly online environment.

• He raised venture capital but faced challenges with the business model.

• Fractional work allows experts to work part-time for multiple companies.

• Bootstrapping offers more control and less pressure than raising capital.

• Raising early-stage capital can decrease the chance of success for founders.

• Co-founder relationships can be beneficial but also risky.

• Building a strong network is crucial for solo founders.

• Fractional work can provide significant earning potential for skilled professionals.

• Taylor is excited about the future of his marketplace for Fractional Jobs.