The Exact Roles to Hire for Growing an Important Small Business (Like Apple)

What do million-dollar companies like Apple, Dangote, and Flutterwave have in common? They started small, like yours. But grew into a global force that contributes to worldwide economic development by hiring the right people (the roles behind the growth).

This means that if your business addresses a national issue, such as food security, job creation, or manufacturing, it’s an important business. This difference also shows that small business roles are the roles and responsibilities that will definitely move your business from small to mighty.

Hence, you need to stop wearing all the hats and build a team structure. And how do you hire a growth-enabling team? Don’t worry. In this blog post, I’ll walk through the exact business roles you should employ to help your small business grow, just like Apple did.

The 7 Types of Business Roles to Hire for Growing Your Visionary Business

1. Product Engineer / Technical Lead

Your product is the core of your business. For example, Apple’s co-founder (Steve Wozniak) was the original technical brain. He built the Apple I and II computers. Without him, there would’ve been nothing to sell.

The common roles and responsibilities of a product engineer or technical lead include designing and developing the core product (physical or digital), resolving product errors or technical bugs, enhancing product features based on customer feedback, and ensuring product scalability.

Job Description for Product Engineer / Technical Lead:

Job Title: Product Engineer / Technical Lead
Location: Remote
Type: Full-time (In-house)

At our Company, we build innovative solutions that solve real-world problems for the B2B and B2C markets. We believe that great products and services are born at the intersection of creativity, data, and user empathy. We’re on a mission to take over the industry and that is where you come in.

We’re looking for a hands-on product engineer to take our core solution from MVP to market-ready. You’ll lead technical development, improve features, and collaborate closely with our strategy and branding teams to ensure the product solves real-world problems at scale.

Your Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Solid knowledge of web or mobile app development (React, Flutter, Node.js, or similar).
Proficiency in backend and frontend development (Full-stack experience is a plus).
Experience with databases, cloud platforms (e.g., Firebase, AWS, or Supabase), and version control (Git).
Ability to turn user feedback into meaningful technical solutions.
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Self-starter attitude with a collaborative mindset.
Excellent communication skills.
You must have 1–3 years of experience in engineering or a related field.

What We Offer

Remote and flexible work culture.
A supportive and ambitious team environment.
Hands-on influence on a product that real people will use.
₦300,000 – ₦750,000/month pay range.

How to Apply

Send your CV, portfolio, and a short cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit to youremail@example.com

2. Operations Manager / Admin Lead

Another story illustrating how Apple grew from a small business to a major success is its startup daily management structure, which was overseen by individuals who understood the importance of internal organization.

Steve brought in operations talent to handle logistics, production timelines, and admin so that the team could focus on building.

The core roles and responsibilities of the operations manager or admin lead include coordinating all back-end processes, tracking production and project timelines, managing schedules, calendars, and operational tools, and handling business paperwork & documentation.

Job Description for Operations Manager / Admin Lead:

Job Title: Operations Manager / Admin Lead

Location: Remote

Type: Full-time (In-house)

We’re seeking a detail-driven operations manager to create and maintain the systems that keep our company running. From task tracking to scheduling and inventory, you’ll act as an admin lead who ensures nothing falls through the cracks while the rest of the team builds forward.

Your Key Roles and Responsibilities

Coordinate and optimize internal workflows across departments.
Track production schedules and team deliverables using task/project management tools.
Manage calendars, meeting invites, and internal communications.
Handle business documentation, reports, and data entry with a high level of accuracy.
Assist with procurement, vendor coordination, and basic inventory tracking.
Support HR admin (e.g., onboarding, timesheets, policy updates) where needed.
Maintain operational tools and recommend improvements to boost efficiency.
Flag bottlenecks and propose solutions to improve team performance.
You must have 1–3 years of experience in operations, administration, or project coordination.

What We Offer

Remote and flexible work culture.
A supportive, fast-moving team that values your ideas.
Opportunity to build and optimize systems that will scale with us.
₦200,000 – ₦500,000/month pay range.

How to Apply

Send your CV, portfolio, and a short cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit to: youremail@example.com

3. Finance Manager / Bookkeeper

Early on, Apple recruited Mike Markkula, a finance expert, to establish the company’s financial foundation and ensure sustainable investment and bookkeeping. The finance management strategy I learned from this particular decision by Apple shows that it is best to initially hire a finance expert on a part-time or freelance basis. Then, as your business transactions grow and demand increases, you can transition to a full-time agreement.

The typical roles and responsibilities of a finance manager or bookkeeper include managing daily cash flow and budgeting, tracking business expenses and income, ensuring tax compliance and payroll processing, and creating forecasts and financial reports.

Job Description for Finance Manager:

Job Title: Finance Manager / Bookkeeper
Location: Remote
Type: Freelance (Paid per task or as needed)

At our Company, we build innovative solutions that solve real-world problems for the B2B and B2C markets. We believe that great products and services are born at the intersection of creativity, data, and user empathy. We’re on a mission to dominate the industry and that is where you come in.

We need a finance professional who can manage our books and help us plan for growth. You’ll handle budgeting, tax preparation, cash flow, and reporting to ensure we remain compliant and financially healthy as we scale.

Your Key Roles and Responsibilities

Maintain clear and organized records of income, expenses, and all business transactions.
Track cash flow and update financial reports when needed.
Support invoicing, vendor payments, and receivables.
Ensure tax documentation is always ready and compliant.
Process payroll when required.
Create monthly or quarterly reports as instructed.
Advise on financial planning and growth strategies.
You must have 1–3 years of experience in finance, accounting, or bookkeeping.

What We Offer

Flexible freelance work—you’ll only be called in when needed.
Pay-per-task or monthly depending on activity level.
A transparent and collaborative team.
Payment depends on the workload.

How to Apply

Send your CV, portfolio (if available), and a short cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit to youremail@example.com

4. Marketing Lead / Brand Strategist

Your business will grow to an extent where the experts whom you have hired will start digging up crazy and out-of-this-world activities that will position your company as an industry authority. And they will need your approval for their contributions. Apple prepared for this. Before Apple became mainstream, Steve invested in branding.

The standard role and responsibilities of a brand strategist or marketing lead include crafting the brand message and identity, planning social media, website, & advertising strategies, overseeing customer communication and tone of voice, and creating brand-aligned content that positions your business as a leader.

Job Description for Marketing Lead / Brand Strategist

Job Title: Sales Representative / Business Developer

Location: Remote

Type: Full-time (In-house)

Craft and refine our brand message, mission, and voice.
Develop and execute social media, email, and advertising campaigns.
Oversee the creation of brand-aligned content across all platforms.
Manage customer communication and ensure consistency in tone.
Collaborate with product, design, and content teams to create marketing assets.
Monitor trends, measure performance, and optimize strategies for growth.
Identify brand opportunities that position us as an industry leader.
You must have 1–3 years of experience in marketing, branding, or related roles.

What We Offer

A fully remote and flexible work structure.
A collaborative team that values creative input.
The opportunity to shape how the world sees our brand.
₦250,000 – ₦700,000/month pay range.

How to Apply

Send your CV, portfolio, and a short cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit to youremail@example.com

5. Sales Representative / Business Developer

Another valuable lesson I learned from Apple is that you need professional salespeople to turn your marketing and awareness campaigns into revenue. These individuals must understand the needs of your target audience and leverage the insights gained from all your marketing efforts. The role and responsibilities of a sales representative or business developer include identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, building relationships with partners, distributors, or retail platforms, converting leads into paying clients, and negotiating deals to close sales.

Job Description for Sales Rep / Business Developer
Job Title: Sales Representative / Business Developer

Location: Remote

Type: Full-time (In-house)

We’re looking for a results-driven salesperson to introduce our solution to the world. You’ll bring in clients, build relationships, and help grow our revenue through value-driven sales conversations.

Your Key Roles and Responsibilities

Identify and pursue new business opportunities that align with our mission.
Convert inbound and outbound leads into paying customers.
Build and nurture relationships with potential partners, distributors, and resellers.
Conduct discovery calls and client meetings to understand customer needs.
Collaborate with marketing and product teams to align messaging and customer targeting.
Negotiate and close deals that support our growth goals.
Track performance, document wins, and share client feedback with the team.
You must have 1–3 years of experience in sales, business development, or a similar role.

What We Offer

A remote-first, flexible work culture.
A product you can be proud to sell.
Collaborative team energy and room for career growth.
₦250,000 – ₦800,000/month pay range.

How to Apply

Send your CV, portfolio, and a short cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit to youremail@example.com

6. Customer Experience Manager / Support Lead

One of the main reasons small businesses struggle to grow is that they often take too long to hire a customer experience personnel. Apple understood this common hiring mistake and took proactive measures by onboarding a professional who could enhance the customer experience at every stage of their buying journey.

The core roles and responsibilities of a customer experience manager or support lead include responding to customer inquiries or complaints, documenting user feedback to improve product and service delivery, setting up customer service systems (such as email, phone, and live chat), and enhancing retention and satisfaction.

Job Description for Customer Experience Manager or Support Lead:

Job Title: Customer Experience Manager / Support Lead

Location: Remote

Type: Full-time (In-house)

We’re hiring someone who cares deeply about user satisfaction. You’ll handle customer interactions, ensure smooth onboarding, and collect feedback that shapes the future of our service.

Your Key Roles and Responsibilities

Manage and respond to customer inquiries, questions, and complaints in a timely and friendly manner.
Set up and manage customer service systems (email, live chat, knowledge base, or phone support).
Document user feedback and pain points to inform the product and operations teams.
Support onboarding processes to ensure customers understand how to get the most out of our solution.
Create systems to track satisfaction, loyalty, and retention metrics.
Serve as the voice of the customer within the company, advocating for better experiences.
Collaborate with marketing and product to improve clarity, tone, and trust across customer touchpoints.
You must have 1–3 years of experience in customer service, support, or experience management.

What We Offer

A remote-friendly team that values empathy and clear communication.
Direct influence on customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.
Tools, support, and autonomy to build excellent systems.
₦250,000 – ₦650,000/month pay range.

How to Apply

Send your CV, portfolio, and a short cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit to youremail@example.com

7. Executive Assistant / Founder’s Support

In the early days of Apple, Steve had a small team that supported him day-to-day, freeing him to make strategic decisions. This backstory shows that acquiring an assistant (e.g., a content writer + recruitment assistant combo) is a great way to grow your small business.

The most essential roles and responsibilities of an assistant support are to help the founder with scheduling, meeting prep, and task reminders, handle internal communication and team follow-ups, help prioritize strategic tasks over busy work, and coordinate meetings with investors, partners, or media.

Job Description for Executive Assistant:

Job Title: Executive Assistant / Founder’s Support

Location: Remote

Type: Full-time (In-house)

At our Company, we build innovative solutions that solve real-world problems for the B2B and B2C markets. We believe that great products and services are born at the intersection of creativity, data, and user empathy. We’re on a mission to dominate the industry and that is where you come in.

We’re hiring a proactive assistant to work directly with the founder. You’ll help prioritize key tasks, manage communication, and ensure the founder focuses on what truly matters: growing the business.

Your Key Roles and Responsibilities

Coordinate the founder’s calendar, set reminders, and schedule internal and external meetings.
Prepare for meetings by organizing agendas, presentations, and talking points.
Support the founder with internal team communications and follow-ups.
Handle admin tasks that free up the founder’s time for strategic decision-making.
Help with recruitment coordination, screening, and onboarding processes when needed.
Assist in coordinating communications with partners, clients, media reps, and collaborators.
Track ongoing priorities and make sure important projects and deliverables stay on course.
You must have 1–3 years of professional experience in the creative field.

What We Offer

A fast-paced environment where your support has real impact.
Remote work flexibility with opportunities to grow with the brand.
A front-row seat to the startup building journey.
₦250,000 – ₦600,000/month pay range.

How to Apply

Send your CV, portfolio, and a short cover letter telling us why you’d be a great fit to youremail@example.com

Conclusion: The Right Time to Hire These Key Small Business Roles

You don’t need to hire all the above-mentioned roles today. Instead, you can follow this simple hiring timeline for visionary business owners:

Begin with recruiting an assistant, followed by onboarding a product engineer or technical lead. Next, focus on hiring a marketer before bringing in a customer support lead. After that, secure an operations manager, recruit a sales representative, and then get a finance manager on board.

Finally, you can consider hiring for other roles, such as a content writer or a business analyst.

Do you need help executing this strategy or your marketing plans in real life? Contact me to grow your brand. I assist entrepreneurs like you to hire the right talent at the right time and craft SEO blog posts, web copy, and value-oriented content that positions your brand as an authority.

Questions Small Business Owners Frequently Ask About Roles

What are small business roles?

Business roles refer to the specific tasks and responsibilities assigned to each person within a company. They ensure your small business runs smoothly and meets its goals.

What are the key positions in a small business?

The key small business roles include the CEO, technical lead, operations manager, marketer, salesperson, product lead, finance expert, and customer support. These are the exact roles to hire for steady growth.

What is the most important role to hire first?

The most important role to hire first is those positions that directly impact your product or service delivery. This is usually an assistant or product engineer. Without a solid product or service, marketing and sales won’t matter.

Can I outsource these roles?

Yes, especially in the early stages. You can outsource branding, marketing, writing, finance, sales, and even admin. But product, customer experience, and operations often require closer, long-term ownership.

What qualifications should I look for when hiring these small business roles?

Look for experience over certificates. Choose candidates who understand your industry, have solved similar problems before, or are excited about your mission. Use the job descriptions above to tailor each role.