How to Onboard Like a CEO (Even If You Still Feel Like a Freelancer)

Gina Ozhuthual
May 26
2 min read

There’s a big difference between “Here’s your login info, good luck” and true onboarding.

And if you’ve ever brought someone onto your team and thought, “Why don’t they just get it?”—you’re not alone.

I’ve been there too.

Early on, I onboarded people like a freelancer in survival mode. No real plan. No systems. Just vibes. And every time something went wrong, I blamed the hire. But the truth? It was me, babe. I was setting people up without setting the stage.

Because onboarding isn’t just about giving tasks. It’s about building trust, offering clarity, and shaping culture.

Now that I’ve built and supported teams across brands and agencies, here’s what I know works when it comes to onboarding like a real CEO—even if you’re still transitioning from solo mode:

1. Create an intentional Day 1 ritual💡

Don’t skip this. First impressions stick. Whether it’s a quick Zoom call, a personalized welcome video, or even a branded onboarding doc—it’s your chance to set the tone.

👉 Pro tip: Share your story. Let them know what your business stands for, what success looks like, and how their role plays into the bigger picture. That emotional connection? It’s the secret to loyalty.

2. Give them a roadmap, not just a task list🧭

Most creative hires get thrown into the deep end with no map. That’s a recipe for confusion and disappointment.

Instead, give them a simple 30-60-90 day plan. Outline what they should be learning, doing, and owning at each phase.

Even if it’s not super formal—just having a shared path forward builds momentum (and minimizes your Slack messages by a lot 🙃).

Give them a roadmap, not just a task list

3. Build feedback from the start💬

Make space for questions, reflections, and feedback loops. Your new team member is observing everything—so give them a safe place to process it.

Set regular check-ins during the first few weeks. Ask what’s working, what’s confusing, and what they need more of. This builds trust and helps you catch misalignment early before it snowballs.

4. Share your why (not just your “how”)🪞

You didn’t build your brand just to go through the motions—and your team shouldn’t either.

The best hires go all-in when they believe in what you’re doing. So give them that insight. Talk about your mission. Show off your brand values. Let them feel like they’re part of something bigger than just the work.

When people get your vision, they carry it with pride—and it shows in everything they do.

5. Infuse your onboarding with your brand vibe✨

Onboarding is an extension of your brand. So if your business is fun, thoughtful, bold, luxe—let that come through.

Custom Notion dashboards. Branded templates. A cheeky welcome message. A Spotify playlist with your brand’s vibe. Yes, it’s “extra”—but it creates a deeper emotional connection.

And trust me, baby, emotionally connected team members are the ones who stick around and show up like it’s their own business.