Ep 261: Should you hire contractors on RETAINER? Hourly vs Retainer vs Salary

If you’re a solopreneur, it might feel impossible to imagine the day when you’ll hire a team to help run your business. I know exactly how that feels—I’ve been there too. But as my business grew, I learned a lot about what it takes to build a team and, just as importantly, how to pay them.

In this episode, I’m sharing my journey from being a one-woman show to leading a team of 10. I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of different compensation models—hourly pay, retainers, salaries, and project-based payments—and reveal the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Plus, I’ll share how shifting to project-based payments transformed my team’s efficiency and helped us work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re dreaming of hiring your first team member or managing a growing group, I’ll give you practical tips to create a compensation strategy that fits your business and supports your goals.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The pros and cons of different compensation models, including hourly pay, retainers, salaries, and project-based payments.
• My personal journey from solopreneur to leading a team of 10—and the lessons I learned along the way.
• Why switching to project-based payments transformed my team’s efficiency and productivity.
• Practical advice for choosing the best compensation strategy for your business, no matter its size.

FREE Resources to Grow Your Online Business:

• Check out Startup Society: http://startupsociety.com/

Work with Gillian Perkins:

• Apply for $100K Mastermind: https://gillianperkins.com/100k-mastermind 
• Get your online biz started with Startup Society: https://startupsociety.com 
• Learn more about Gillian: https://gillianperkins.com 
• Instagram: @GillianZPerkins