Nicole Sahin of Globalization Partners
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Nicole Sahin, the founder and CEO of Globalization Partners, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of Globalization Partners – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
I launched the company in 2012 because I had an idea for a global legal and HR platform that would enable companies to bypass the traditional complexities of hiring and managing global teams, and enable companies to hire anyone, anywhere, within a few business days.
Traditionally, when a high growth company wanted to hire employees in another country, they would have to figure out numerous fundamentals, including country specific labor laws, how to run payroll, and how to set up a company in that country.
I felt confident that if I could build ONE company in each country, and give all our customers access to it, it would be a much more scalable business model and give companies the ability to hire top talent in any country.
Today, Globalization Partners simplifies international business by enabling organizations to quickly expand into new countries. Companies find the talent and we put that team member on our locally compliant payroll. In addition to our US-based operations, we have just expanded into EMEA and into APAC where we anticipate exceptional growth potential.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
In the very beginning when we only had seven employees, I knew the business was going to be successful, but I was surprised at how quickly our customer base was growing. The woman who ran the finance team/department was on maternity leave, and our head of operations was out on vacation. I like to call this my “near death” experience, because I was working 20+ hours a day, not sleeping, and was absolutely determined to make the business stable and scalable. I came to the conclusion that for three months, we needed to stop taking on new customers.
During this time, we hired 30 people, revamped our IT infrastructure, and built a new team. At the end of the three months, we sent our VP of Global Operations and her family to Portugal and made her promise to not check her email. Not only did she need this vacation, but it also served as a test to see if the company could still succeed in her absence. Within a few weeks of taking on new customers again, Inc. Magazine named us the 6th fastest growing company in America.
What does the future hold for Globalization Partners?
We are fundamentally changing how companies go global. Many people still don’t know that this business model exists, but they will! Globalization Partners is growing quickly and in 2020, launched offices throughout Europe and Asia. In addition, we were just named an Employer of Record industry leader by analyst firm NelsonHall.
We have only just scratched the surface of the market, and you will be hearing about us a lot more in the next year and beyond!
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Boston?
Boston is a center of technology leadership. It’s the home of MIT (need I say more?) and has a strong history of innovation. It’s an ideal place for dynamic young entrepreneurs who are building Boston’s next new breakout corporations and continues to be the perfect place for us as a company as we accelerate our technological innovation in the Employer of Record space.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Take one step at a time. When starting your own business, even with the most ambitious of visions, it always starts with the first few steps, like registering the company, starting a website, and signing your first customer. So, take these incremental steps, one at a time, and you’ll quickly look back and realize the quantum leap that you have made. Also, always hire the very best people that you can find.
Every entrepreneur has a force inside them pushing them to go out and start something great. Make sure you love what you do and spread the positivity to those that decide to take that leap of faith with you.