People Person
People Person
Morning Brew Inc.
Starting from Scratch: How to Build an HR Team at a Startup
41 minutes Posted Dec 16, 2025 at 11:00 am.
: Intro
: The beginnings of Gusto
: Gusto’s early People Ops hires
: Focusing on compliance vs. culture
: Performance management
: Traditions at Gusto
: Josh’s highlights of Gusto’s growth for employees and customers
: The differences between Gusto and the small businesses it serves
: How business values can translate to family values
: The future of HR and AI in startups
: Advice for people who want to start a business
0:00
41:32
Download MP3
Show notes
Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Josh Reeves, CEO & Co-Founder of Gusto. They discuss how Josh made some of Gusto’s early People Ops hires, the barefoot tradition that lived on for many years, how leaders can help employees find success in their role and with conquering new skills, and the business values that Josh is also teaching his family. 
Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe
Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew
Follow HR Brew:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/
Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers. 
Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.