What does it mean to be a manager when you’re the only one in your business?

In this episode of Manager to Manager, host Kamaria Scott sits down with Lauren Gibson, Founder of Letters Launched and writer of the Connections newsletter, to explore what happens when creative entrepreneurs become people leaders for the first time.

Lauren shares the real lessons she’s learned from hiring — and letting go of — virtual assistants, balancing delegation with direction, and discovering that being “the first manager” is as much about mindset as it is about skill. Together, she and Kamaria unpack how the fundamentals of leadership apply just as powerfully to solopreneurs as to corporate managers.

This conversation explores how entrepreneurs can:

Shift from doing the work to leading the work when building their first team
Hire for outcomes, not hours — and design fair, value-based relationships with contractors
Create structure through simple routines, one-on-ones, and clear expectations
Recognize when to seek an “architect,” not a “carpenter,” to bring their vision to life
Build sustainable momentum by managing people, not just processes

Lauren reminds us that growth doesn’t just come from scaling revenue — it comes from learning to lead well.

Whether you’re a founder hiring your first assistant, a creative building a small team, or a manager rethinking what leadership looks like in the new world of work, this episode offers relatable, real-world insights to help you manage with clarity and care.

Show Notes:
Connect with Lauren Gibson on LinkedIn | Subscribe to her newsletter Connections
Connect with Kamaria Scott on LinkedIn | managermomentum.com