Let’s talk about something that usually starts arguments at family gatherings…
“Why are you hiring people without degrees?”
Ahh… the famous question from that uncle who hasn’t paid salaries in his life but has strong opinions about HR.
Let me explain something the textbooks will never teach you.
WHEN YOU’RE SMALL, YOU’RE NOT A COMPANY… YOU’RE A SURVIVAL TEAM
In a startup, you’re not running a corporate empire.
You’re running a hunting camp.
Some days you catch a rat Some days you catch an elephant Some days… you come back empty-handed
And guess what?
Everyone eats what is available.
Now imagine bringing someone into that environment who is used to guaranteed meals, air conditioning, and a monthly salary that arrives like clockwork.
My brother… by week two, they’re already updating their CV.
THE HARSH TRUTH ABOUT DEGREES IN STARTUPS
People with degrees are not the problem.
Let’s be clear.
But here’s the reality:
They know they are in demand.
They know they have options.
They know if things get tough… they can leave.
So when your startup starts doing what startups do best struggling they start doing what employees do best job hunting.
“Ah boss, zvinhu zvacho hazvina kugadzikana…” Next thing, resignation letter.
THE MAGIC OF THE “UNDERRATED EMPLOYEE”
Now let’s talk about the people everyone underestimates.
The ones without degrees.
The ones society ignores.
The ones who are just grateful for an opportunity.
These ones?
They don’t see a job.
They see a chance.
They understand the hunger.
They understand the hustle.
They understand that:
“If we build this thing together… we all win.”
So when there’s no elephant?
They eat the rat with you.
When there’s nothing?
They wait with you.
When things start working?
They celebrate like they own the company because emotionally… they do.
LOYALTY IS CHEAPER THAN SALARY (BUT MORE EXPENSIVE TO FIND)
Startups don’t fail because of lack of degrees.
They fail because of lack of people who believe.
You don’t need someone who can quote theory from a textbook.
You need someone who can say:
“Boss, zvinhu zvakaoma… but let’s push.”
That’s not education.
That’s commitment.
BUT DON’T MISUNDERSTAND THE MESSAGE
This is not a war against degrees.
No.
As your company grows, you will need skilled, trained, experienced professionals.
But in the beginning?
You need soldiers, not spectators.
You need people who are willing to:
- Learn on the job
- Make mistakes and grow
- Stay when things are hard
- Believe when nothing makes sense
BUILD WITH BELIEVERS, THEN UPGRADE WITH EXPERTS
The smartest founders understand this:
Phase 1: Build with loyal people Phase 2: Strengthen with skilled people Phase 3: Scale with systems
If you skip Phase 1…
You’ll have a team full of qualifications… And a company full of problems.
FINAL WORD
In the early days of a business, your biggest asset is not capital.
It’s not connections.
It’s not even your idea.
It’s the people who look at your struggling dream and say:
“Let’s suffer together now… so we can enjoy together later.”
Because at the end of the day…
Degrees can get you a job.
But loyalty builds an empire.
