Especially with the first few employees it’s extremely important to focus on cultural fit and performance. Otherwise you’re setting the bar too low for all the other people who join later. I believe that a companies’ culture is shaped by the first few employees and would never hire (or keep) someone who is subpar, just for the lack of alternatives. I’ve done that mistake enough times now ;-) Remember how Airbnb interviewed people for half a year before they made their first hire? That might be an extreme example but it makes a great point to set the bar high and to not settle for compromises. Hire slow and fire fast. Especially if you’re aiming for Champions League and not Kreisklasse ;-)