Hiring Against the Grain | Part-Time, Remote, and Building on Your Terms

In Episode 139 of the Scratch Agency Podcast, Stephen Turnbull and Shawn Fitzgerald sit down for a powerful unscripted conversation on hiring, agency growth, and learning to trust your instincts — even when it goes against common advice.Shawn shares how he bucked industry norms and successfully hired a remote, part-time licensed CSR, a move most people told him was a bad idea. From structuring responsibilities and managing performance to tech stack, training, and licensing logistics — this episode is a playbook for agents ready to scale, but not sure how to take the first step.💡 They also explore a bigger theme: the importance of filtering out noise, trusting your gut, and building a business that works for your life, market, and season — not someone else's blueprint.🔥 If you're a scratch agent wondering when to hire, who to hire, or how to set it up right the first time — this episode is filled with real talk, tested lessons, and practical steps.🕒 Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Coffee, Snow, and the Power of Perspective03:40 – What Happens When You Ignore Industry Advice07:55 – The Case for Part-Time Help: Why It Worked11:02 – How to Structure Roles & Set Clear Expectations15:15 – Tools, Tech, and Productivity Monitoring20:08 – Common Hiring Pitfalls & Red Flags24:42 – From Part-Time CSR to VA Support System29:10 – Seasons of Business & Knowing What You Need Now35:05 – Trusting Your Gut vs Following the Crowd40:13 – If You Could Start Over: One Thing You’d Do Differently44:28 – Volume Creates Luck & Staying Focused Early49:12 – Closing Thoughts & Telegram Community Shoutout🎧 Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/7hutxCZ5NUPqF5hRdC79Hl?si=33a6cfadba084957📲 Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thescratchagencypodcast🔗 Join our Telegram Community:https://t.me/+cISob2kA3pAyMmY5💻 Visit our Website:https://scratchagencypodcast.comThanks for tuning into The Scratch Agency Podcast.Like, share, and subscribe — and remember to dig down deep, believe in yourself, and own your future. See you next week!