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Custom-Fit: A Straight-Talking Guide to Hiring Top Talent for Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners
For small business owners, hiring the right people can make or break their company. A Straight-Talking Guide to Hiring Top Talent for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners by Kate Morgan is the essential resource for founders seeking practical, no-nonsense advice on building a team that fuels growth without the complications of big business HR.
Kate Morgan, a seasoned talent acquisition expert and founder of Boston Human Capital Partners, brings over 25 years of experience in guiding small businesses to make smart, strategic hires. Morgan knows that, for companies with fewer than 25 employees, traditional HR models simply don’t apply. Instead, Custom-Fit provides straightforward guidance that emphasizes aligning hires with core values, conducting insightful interviews, and developing a hiring plan that fits a smaller organization’s needs and resources.
Inside, readers will find techniques
Defining core values and using them as a hiring compassStructuring interviews to identify high-potential candidates without resorting to typical corporate jargonBuilding a hiring plan that avoids premature or mismatched hiresBalancing emotional intelligence with data-driven decision-makingMorgan shares stories of both successes and hard lessons learned from the hiring trenches, showing founders how to avoid costly hiring missteps and build teams that truly support their vision. Entrepreneurs will discover how to tackle the challenges of “peopleing” with confidence, creating a cohesive, motivated team that drives business success.
Packed with actionable advice, Custom-Fit is the guide for small business leaders who know that great teams are built, not bought, and that every hire matters. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or preparing to expand, this book equips you to make hiring decisions that propel your company forward.
Kate Morgan, a seasoned talent acquisition expert and founder of Boston Human Capital Partners, brings over 25 years of experience in guiding small businesses to make smart, strategic hires. Morgan knows that, for companies with fewer than 25 employees, traditional HR models simply don’t apply. Instead, Custom-Fit provides straightforward guidance that emphasizes aligning hires with core values, conducting insightful interviews, and developing a hiring plan that fits a smaller organization’s needs and resources.
Inside, readers will find techniques
Defining core values and using them as a hiring compassStructuring interviews to identify high-potential candidates without resorting to typical corporate jargonBuilding a hiring plan that avoids premature or mismatched hiresBalancing emotional intelligence with data-driven decision-makingMorgan shares stories of both successes and hard lessons learned from the hiring trenches, showing founders how to avoid costly hiring missteps and build teams that truly support their vision. Entrepreneurs will discover how to tackle the challenges of “peopleing” with confidence, creating a cohesive, motivated team that drives business success.
Packed with actionable advice, Custom-Fit is the guide for small business leaders who know that great teams are built, not bought, and that every hire matters. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or preparing to expand, this book equips you to make hiring decisions that propel your company forward.
- GenresNonfiction
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
13 people are currently reading
756 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 3, 2025
Custom-Fit: A Straight-Talking Guide to Hiring Top Talent – A Game-Changer for Small Business Leaders
Rating: 4.9/5
Kate Morgan’s Custom-Fit is a breath of fresh air in the oversaturated world of HR literature—a pragmatic, no-fluff manifesto that speaks directly to the heartbeat of small businesses. As someone who’s waded through generic corporate hiring guides, this book felt like discovering a secret playbook tailored for the scrappy, values-driven entrepreneur. Morgan’s expertise as a talent acquisition strategist for startups and founder of Boston Human Capital Partners shines through every chapter, offering not just advice but empathy for the unique challenges of small-scale hiring.
Why This Book Stands Out
Morgan dismantles the one-size-fits-all HR approach with surgical precision, replacing it with frameworks that honor a small business’s limited resources and cultural DNA. Her emphasis on core values as a hiring compass (not just buzzwords) resonated deeply—I found myself pausing to revisit my own organization's mission mid-read. The interview techniques, especially her jargon-free questioning strategies, are gold for founders who dread the performative dance of corporate interviews. Most revolutionary is her thesis that every hire in a small team is a culture-shaping decision; the chapter on avoiding mismatched hires should be required reading for any first-time employer.
Emotional Impact & Revelations
This book evoked equal parts relief and motivation. Morgan’s anecdotes about hiring missteps (including her own) normalized the anxiety many founders feel when bringing on their first employees. Her breakdown of balancing emotional intelligence with data was a lightbulb moment—I’d never considered how over-reliance on gut feeling can mask bias. The section on scaling hiring plans without losing cultural cohesion left me energized, scribbling notes for my next team expansion.
Constructive Criticism
While the focus on sub-25-employee businesses is the book’s strength, a brief appendix addressing slightly larger startups (e.g., 50+ employees) could broaden its utility. The data-driven sections, though valuable, occasionally lean technical—a visual summary of key metrics (like a hiring scorecard template) would enhance accessibility.
Final Verdict
A masterclass in intentional hiring—think Who meets The Hard Thing About Hard Things, but with the warmth of a mentor who’s been in your shoes. Morgan doesn’t just teach hiring; she instills the confidence to build teams that feel like family without sacrificing growth.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and the publisher for the gifted copy. This book arrived when I needed it most—proof that the right hire (or read) can be transformative.
Pair with: The Founder’s Dilemmas for complementary startup wisdom or Radical Candor for post-hiring team dynamics.
For fans of: Patty McCord’s Powerful, Ben Horowitz’s gritty realism, and Atomic Habits’ actionable frameworks.
Note: Keep a highlighter and sticky tabs handy—you’ll want to revisit Morgan’s hiring playbook before every interview.
Rating: 4.9/5
Kate Morgan’s Custom-Fit is a breath of fresh air in the oversaturated world of HR literature—a pragmatic, no-fluff manifesto that speaks directly to the heartbeat of small businesses. As someone who’s waded through generic corporate hiring guides, this book felt like discovering a secret playbook tailored for the scrappy, values-driven entrepreneur. Morgan’s expertise as a talent acquisition strategist for startups and founder of Boston Human Capital Partners shines through every chapter, offering not just advice but empathy for the unique challenges of small-scale hiring.
Why This Book Stands Out
Morgan dismantles the one-size-fits-all HR approach with surgical precision, replacing it with frameworks that honor a small business’s limited resources and cultural DNA. Her emphasis on core values as a hiring compass (not just buzzwords) resonated deeply—I found myself pausing to revisit my own organization's mission mid-read. The interview techniques, especially her jargon-free questioning strategies, are gold for founders who dread the performative dance of corporate interviews. Most revolutionary is her thesis that every hire in a small team is a culture-shaping decision; the chapter on avoiding mismatched hires should be required reading for any first-time employer.
Emotional Impact & Revelations
This book evoked equal parts relief and motivation. Morgan’s anecdotes about hiring missteps (including her own) normalized the anxiety many founders feel when bringing on their first employees. Her breakdown of balancing emotional intelligence with data was a lightbulb moment—I’d never considered how over-reliance on gut feeling can mask bias. The section on scaling hiring plans without losing cultural cohesion left me energized, scribbling notes for my next team expansion.
Constructive Criticism
While the focus on sub-25-employee businesses is the book’s strength, a brief appendix addressing slightly larger startups (e.g., 50+ employees) could broaden its utility. The data-driven sections, though valuable, occasionally lean technical—a visual summary of key metrics (like a hiring scorecard template) would enhance accessibility.
Final Verdict
A masterclass in intentional hiring—think Who meets The Hard Thing About Hard Things, but with the warmth of a mentor who’s been in your shoes. Morgan doesn’t just teach hiring; she instills the confidence to build teams that feel like family without sacrificing growth.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and the publisher for the gifted copy. This book arrived when I needed it most—proof that the right hire (or read) can be transformative.
Pair with: The Founder’s Dilemmas for complementary startup wisdom or Radical Candor for post-hiring team dynamics.
For fans of: Patty McCord’s Powerful, Ben Horowitz’s gritty realism, and Atomic Habits’ actionable frameworks.
Note: Keep a highlighter and sticky tabs handy—you’ll want to revisit Morgan’s hiring playbook before every interview.
November 10, 2025
Custom-Fit: A Straight-Talking Guide to Hiring Top Talent for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners by Kate Morgan covers the importance of finding the right people for your small business. This might mean you train them yourself rather hiring them away from somewhere else. Knowing some entrepreneurs, it includes what some of them have found is successful and explains how to do what they know they have been less successful at. It seems a very practical guide. Not being an entrepreneur myself, I don’t know if it is actually 5 stars or only 4 stars. It seems very thorough.
The author points out many important aspects to developing your business, such as aiming for progress, not perfection. She has several bullet point lists, like how to write job descriptions or how, develop a hiring process, and providing clear company values, among others. She points out that money is not the only way to keep employees, which seems to be something many employers don’t realize. That gives an idea of a few of the topics in this book. It seems very thorough. Some of it should be applied in large businesses, too.
I received this book for free via Goodreads.
The author points out many important aspects to developing your business, such as aiming for progress, not perfection. She has several bullet point lists, like how to write job descriptions or how, develop a hiring process, and providing clear company values, among others. She points out that money is not the only way to keep employees, which seems to be something many employers don’t realize. That gives an idea of a few of the topics in this book. It seems very thorough. Some of it should be applied in large businesses, too.
I received this book for free via Goodreads.
December 20, 2025
😍Love it!
Custom-Fit by Morgan is focused on creating a life that fits who you are and not what is presented as a good life in general based upon what other people say should be true. The book counters typical "one size fits all" thinking by focusing on your individual situation. Morgan speaks in practical terms from his experience and provides concrete examples of how making small adjustments to your daily life can lead to big results over time. The tone is friendly and straightforward, similar to how a friend would advise someone after their own experience of learning the hard way through trial-and-error. When reading Custom-Fit, you will feel as if you have been offered guidance without being judged and/or pressured into anything. Another refreshing approach is that this book promotes flexibility as opposed to being perfect. Overall, Custom-Fit offers a practical view for those who've experienced frustration with the generic style of self-help books, and looking for something that actually fits within their lives and meets their goals in life.
Custom-Fit by Morgan is focused on creating a life that fits who you are and not what is presented as a good life in general based upon what other people say should be true. The book counters typical "one size fits all" thinking by focusing on your individual situation. Morgan speaks in practical terms from his experience and provides concrete examples of how making small adjustments to your daily life can lead to big results over time. The tone is friendly and straightforward, similar to how a friend would advise someone after their own experience of learning the hard way through trial-and-error. When reading Custom-Fit, you will feel as if you have been offered guidance without being judged and/or pressured into anything. Another refreshing approach is that this book promotes flexibility as opposed to being perfect. Overall, Custom-Fit offers a practical view for those who've experienced frustration with the generic style of self-help books, and looking for something that actually fits within their lives and meets their goals in life.
December 19, 2025
Very Interesting
I found this book very interesting. Even though I am not a human resources professional, I think it is very useful to understand what companies look for when hiring someone and which skills truly help candidates stand out. It is not only helpful for people looking for a job, but also for those who want to start a business and need to know what kind of partners and team members to look for.
This book is suitable for anyone who wants to strengthen their skills and improve their professional life in general. It also encourages readers to reflect on what they are doing well, what they can improve, and how to become more competitive as professionals.
Going through a hiring process can be challenging and stressful. Understanding how recruiters think and what they value allows candidates to prepare better and approach these processes in a more strategic way.
A great book, highly recommended.
I found this book very interesting. Even though I am not a human resources professional, I think it is very useful to understand what companies look for when hiring someone and which skills truly help candidates stand out. It is not only helpful for people looking for a job, but also for those who want to start a business and need to know what kind of partners and team members to look for.
This book is suitable for anyone who wants to strengthen their skills and improve their professional life in general. It also encourages readers to reflect on what they are doing well, what they can improve, and how to become more competitive as professionals.
Going through a hiring process can be challenging and stressful. Understanding how recruiters think and what they value allows candidates to prepare better and approach these processes in a more strategic way.
A great book, highly recommended.
December 18, 2025
An excellent guide to having a good work team
This book is incredible! When starting a business, it's often a mistake to focus solely on the idea, profits, management, etc., but to forget one of the most important aspects: human talent. In Custom-Fit, author Morgan shares her years of learning and experience on the key factors to consider when hiring the right team. It's a practical, simple, and easy-to-understand guide that explains how to hire the right people for your business. Not everyone is a good fit for every business. I found her advice on conducting effective interviews to be crucial; it's a valuable tool that helps optimize the hiring process and contributes to its success. This is definitely a book that not only entrepreneurs should read, but anyone who owns a business and wants an efficient and committed team aligned with the company's values.
This book is incredible! When starting a business, it's often a mistake to focus solely on the idea, profits, management, etc., but to forget one of the most important aspects: human talent. In Custom-Fit, author Morgan shares her years of learning and experience on the key factors to consider when hiring the right team. It's a practical, simple, and easy-to-understand guide that explains how to hire the right people for your business. Not everyone is a good fit for every business. I found her advice on conducting effective interviews to be crucial; it's a valuable tool that helps optimize the hiring process and contributes to its success. This is definitely a book that not only entrepreneurs should read, but anyone who owns a business and wants an efficient and committed team aligned with the company's values.
December 17, 2025
Hiring with intention
While reading this book, I realized how often hiring becomes a rushed and reactive task. Many decisions are made because of the urgency to fill a position, without thinking carefully about what that choice means for the team and the business in the long term. The reading helped me understand that hiring is not only about choosing someone with skills, but also about shaping culture and reinforcing values. I found the emphasis on having clarity before starting the process especially valuable, because many times the problem is not the person who joins, but the lack of direction from the one hiring. In the end, the book leaves the idea that choosing well does not depend on luck, but on paying attention and acting with intention.
While reading this book, I realized how often hiring becomes a rushed and reactive task. Many decisions are made because of the urgency to fill a position, without thinking carefully about what that choice means for the team and the business in the long term. The reading helped me understand that hiring is not only about choosing someone with skills, but also about shaping culture and reinforcing values. I found the emphasis on having clarity before starting the process especially valuable, because many times the problem is not the person who joins, but the lack of direction from the one hiring. In the end, the book leaves the idea that choosing well does not depend on luck, but on paying attention and acting with intention.
December 18, 2025
There are authors who know what people need.
I am setting up a new business, and I believe that acquiring talent has been one of the biggest challenges. How can you really recruit people who are right for what you are looking for and who have more than just an interest, but a vocation? That was my initial question when I came across this book, and I was amazed at how precisely the author answered this initial question and dozens more.
The book has a very well-supported approach, written by an author who has many years of experience and knows inside and out how talent works in small businesses, providing recommendations based on real cases and also taking into account the risks associated with choosing the wrong people to work with.
I am setting up a new business, and I believe that acquiring talent has been one of the biggest challenges. How can you really recruit people who are right for what you are looking for and who have more than just an interest, but a vocation? That was my initial question when I came across this book, and I was amazed at how precisely the author answered this initial question and dozens more.
The book has a very well-supported approach, written by an author who has many years of experience and knows inside and out how talent works in small businesses, providing recommendations based on real cases and also taking into account the risks associated with choosing the wrong people to work with.
December 18, 2025
I really liked Custom-Fit. Hiring has always been one of the hardest things for me when running a business, so a lot of what Morgan says felt very familiar. What I liked is that she doesn’t make it complicated. She’s not obsessed with perfect resumes, but more with whether someone actually fits the company and how things really work day to day.
There’s a lot of useful advice, especially about interviews and making choices, but it doesn’t feel heavy or too planned out. It honestly reads like someone talking from experience, not trying to sound smart or teach you a big lesson.
I finished it feeling clearer about my own hiring process, which doesn’t happen often with books like this. I highly recommend this fantastic book.
There’s a lot of useful advice, especially about interviews and making choices, but it doesn’t feel heavy or too planned out. It honestly reads like someone talking from experience, not trying to sound smart or teach you a big lesson.
I finished it feeling clearer about my own hiring process, which doesn’t happen often with books like this. I highly recommend this fantastic book.
December 19, 2025
Finding the best person for a job is difficult, but it's even more so for entrepreneurs or small business owners, since the right person can make the business thrive or simply ruin it. In Custom-Fit, author Morgan guides and advises small businesses on how to make smart and strategic hires. This book is a great help to anyone who wants to improve and hire qualified people for a specific position. It also offers a simple guide that emphasizes aligning hires with core values, conducting in-depth interviews, and developing a hiring plan that fits the needs and resources of a smaller organization. I certainly recommend it because it's practical, concise, and because the author's 25 years of experience have undoubtedly helped many.
December 18, 2025
In her book, Custom-Fit, Kate Morgan explains how vital it is to hire the right employees if you have a small business. She points out that hiring suitable staff to work for you can either make your business a big success or a great disaster. If you have a small business, you will have fewer than 25 employees, making the usual HR of big businesses obsolete. This volume shows in straightforward terms how to define the company’s core values and how to use them as guidelines for hiring staff. I found the advice for insightful interviews with prospective employees particularly useful. If you are an entrepreneur with a small business, then this guide is a must-read.
December 20, 2025
Amazing book!
I've seen how many people my company hires. And reading this book really helped me understand the hiring process much better. The author offers clear advice on how to do it; it's so clear that it can even be seen as a well-defined guide of what to do at each stage. What I like most is her approach to hiring, which is aligned with the company's needs and culture. This book isn't for HR professionals; it's for business owners who want to make good hires in the future and who definitely feel they need support in this area. I really enjoyed this book, and I'm sure you will too, given the quality of its content.
I've seen how many people my company hires. And reading this book really helped me understand the hiring process much better. The author offers clear advice on how to do it; it's so clear that it can even be seen as a well-defined guide of what to do at each stage. What I like most is her approach to hiring, which is aligned with the company's needs and culture. This book isn't for HR professionals; it's for business owners who want to make good hires in the future and who definitely feel they need support in this area. I really enjoyed this book, and I'm sure you will too, given the quality of its content.
December 16, 2025
I received this book from goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
This is a common sense guide to personal management. It brought up some issues I wouldn't have thought of. It is readable, relatable and very common sense.
This is a common sense guide to personal management. It brought up some issues I wouldn't have thought of. It is readable, relatable and very common sense.
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June 19, 2025Custom Fit by Kate Morgan is a refreshingly practical guide for small business owners who want to hire smarter, not harder.
July 17, 2025
💯💯💯💯💯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
Custom Fit is a practical guide written to help you hire smarter. It teaches hiring skills and gives you the confidence to build teams. Every company large or small could use a book on creating core values. Customer Fit stresses “money is not the only way to keep employees.”
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews