232. Building a Mission-Driven Team with Rachel Lauren, COO of Debbie

What does it really take to build a team that believes in your mission…. and sticks around?In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Rachel Lauren, the co-founder and COO of Debbie, a platform that flips the script on financial rewards by helping users earn points for good money habits. Rachel and her team have grown Debbie from zero to 70,000+ users and just as impressively, from 2 scrappy co-founders to a 12-person, mission-driven team.We talk through the real decisions startup leaders face when hiring: when to buy vs. build talent, how to manage performance without overcomplicating things, and why frequent feedback actually improves employee output.You’ll walk away with ideas to put in place right now whether you’re managing one person or a small but mighty team.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:[1:00] The backstory behind Debbie and how rewards for good financial habits work[3:30] Why mission alignment matters—and how it helps attract great talent[5:05] Build vs. Buy: How they developed interns into leaders[10:20] A refreshingly simple performance review cadence (and why it works)[18:45] When and how compensation conversations happen—and why they keep them separate from reviews[22:00] Setting promotion expectations, especially with Gen Z team members[25:45] Rachel’s surprising inspiration for leadership: the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders documentaryResources & Mentions:Try Debbie: joindebbie.comPerformance management software: Effy.aiBonusly (for peer recognition): bonusly.comPodcast mentioned: Honestly by Bari Weiss, featuring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders docConnect with Rachel: LinkedIn - Rachel LaurenConnect with Jackie:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jackiemkochWant my best hiring resources? Download here

Om Podcasten

Jackie Koch has been in the trenches building the teams that grow companies for over 15 years. She’s hired hundreds of people, navigated countless sticky situations, and earned an MBA along the way. From being deeply involved in the nitty-gritty of team building to now helping others navigate the waters of running a business, she wants to help you avoid the messes she’s had to help clean up. Listen in and discover insights on leadership dos and don'ts, strategies for effective hiring and team building, and essentials to keep your business in employment compliance. Through solo episodes, guest episodes featuring experts in the field, and candid conversations with her business partner you'll be well on your journey to becoming the World’s Greatest Boss.