You ever tried to recruit employee #1-3? I have. I have a pretty rich network (including the extended network you get being funded by YC, a VC firm, and a mess of pretty top-tier angels). We all worked our networks pretty hard (and ultimately hired out of 'em) but we also posted the job in a few places (and found some amazing candidates).
Very very few people in your network ultimately have the stones to make the leap into the uncertainly of an early stage startup (even a well-funded one). I imagine it gets MUCH harder in Boca Raton, FL and even harder in these particular economic times.
And, expanding a team does NOT equal technical incompetence. It could mean that they have an ambitious problem they are tackling. Or that they have a line of customers out the door and want to accelerate development.
Seriously-- they fucked up-- but at least they're trying. Cut 'em some slack and stop assuming the worst.
I said myself at the last paragraph - this may well not be the case. They may be competent, but they're not giving that impression - and stating it the way I see, is at least real feedback they could use.
Very very few people in your network ultimately have the stones to make the leap into the uncertainly of an early stage startup (even a well-funded one). I imagine it gets MUCH harder in Boca Raton, FL and even harder in these particular economic times.
And, expanding a team does NOT equal technical incompetence. It could mean that they have an ambitious problem they are tackling. Or that they have a line of customers out the door and want to accelerate development.
Seriously-- they fucked up-- but at least they're trying. Cut 'em some slack and stop assuming the worst.