The Business of People
Scaling a startup isn’t just about product and funding—it’s about people. The Business of People is a biweekly newsletter that helps people leaders learn to think like business leaders. You'll get tips, tricks, tactics, and templates to build high-performing teams, scale operations, and drive commercial success.
I'm Melissa Theiss, the author of The Business of People newsletter. Over the past decade, I’ve led people and revenue functions at bootstrapped, VC-backed, and post-IPO SaaS companies as they scaled from 20 to 1,000+ people.
Did you know, less than 4% of HR professionals ever make it to VP? If you want to be one of the 4%, let's talk.
I help People people land and succeed in their first executive position—using my personal experience to expedite your journey.
Interested, but not seeing an open slot? 📬 Email me at [email protected].
If enough people are on the waitlist, I'll open up group coaching.
My road to leadership started with two rejections.
In college, I studied what I loved — psychology and education. My plan was to do a Fulbright, then go to Harvard Business School (HBS).
And, it would've worked except... I didn't get a Fulbright and I got rejected from HBS.
So, I had to pivot. I joined a public tech company in a rotational program where I learned product management, human resources, and sales operations.
From there, I joined a startup as employee #22 and was a one woman show leading people and finance. Not too long after, I took over the customer success team as well.
The next few years were some of the most formative of my career. I had been given a job I had no idea how to do, but was really committed to figuring it out. So, I did.
I used my background studying psychology and education to teach myself how to be a leader and to really excel at this little thing called "business."
I worked long hours and made a lot of mistakes. I learned a lot the hard way.
But I also learned a ton from those ahead of me—through books, newsletters, podcasts, and following top tech leaders. That knowledge was a game-changer.
Now, I am that resource for others.
If you’re a People person learning to navigate the business world and don’t want to figure it all out the hard way—I can help.
I help People leaders land and succeed in their first executive position.