Non-Founder Crew

Alicia Thomas
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  • CAREERS

Non-Founder Crew is a show for employees navigating the unpredictable world of tech startups, from the moments of chaos and uncertainty to chasing impossible goals. In each episode, host Alicia Thomas shares the lessons she learned after spending over a decade working in startups and the unspoken rules of surviving ~ and thriving ~ in a startup. You’ll also hear stories from experts and other non-founder employees who built their careers in the trenches of the startup world. Subscribe to Non-Founder Crew so you never miss an episode.

Episodes

  1. 23H AGO

    How to Create Your Own Role at a Startup

    In this episode of Non-Founder Crew, we’re diving into something that can completely change the trajectory of your career at a startup, and that’s creating your own role.  If you’ve ever felt stuck in your job, waiting for the “right” opportunity or wondering how people land those seemingly custom-fit roles, this episode is for you. My guest, Sam Melnick, the Vice President of Marketing at Postscript, is back to break down exactly how he’s created roles for himself more than once and how you can do the same. From pitching your own job description to navigating internal politics and proving your value early, Sam and I unpack what it actually takes to carve out a role that aligns with your skills and ambitions. We also talk about why startups reward action over permission and how understanding that can unlock opportunities much faster than you think. If you want to stop waiting for a promotion and start building a role that actually excites you, this episode will give you the mindset, strategies, and real-world examples to make it happen. Highlights:(00:12) Why creating your own role is a hidden advantage in startups(01:45) Sam’s first experience pitching a role that did not exist(02:54) Why focusing on what excites you matters more than title or pay(03:30) How to pitch your own role with a real business case(04:10) The internal reactions and politics of creating something new(05:35) Building momentum early and proving value in week one(06:20) Why startups reward people who take action without permission(07:13) The risk of pointing out problems and owning them(08:14) Why your idea needs business context, not just creativity(09:43) Alicia’s story of moving from admin to marketing(11:57) The tradeoffs of niche titles versus broader roles early on(14:18) How roles evolve by taking on more responsibility over time(16:22) What Sam wishes he had done earlier in his careerResources: Follow me on Substack: https://nonfoundercrew.substack.com/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciarosethomasNon-Founder Crew’s website: https://www.nonfoundercrew.com/

    20 min

  2. APR 21

    The Unwritten Rules of Titles, Leveling, and Getting What You Actually Want

    If you want more like this, I share deeper breakdowns on my Substack. In this episode of Non-Founder Crew, we're diving into something nobody ever tells you when you join a startup: the unwritten rules of titles. If you’ve felt stuck in your career, unsure of how decisions around titles get made at the leadership level, then this episode is for you. My guest, Sam Melnick, the Vice President of Marketing at Postscript, is here to share his stories & experiences with navigating job titles and career growth in startups to help you break free from this common frustration. From founder alignment to understanding your own career goals, Sam and I unpack the challenges of advancing in a startup, especially when titles and promotions seem elusive. He’ll talk through why titles are often more about timing and company size. And why understanding the unwritten rules is the key to understanding the dynamics happening inside your organization. If you want to understand how decisions often get made regarding titles, promotions, and compensation changes, this is a great episode to give you context at the leadership level from someone who's been on the other side of the table as a manager and leader.  Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to the episode and why titles matter at startups(01:00) Introducing Sam Melnick, his background and career journey(03:00) The unwritten rules of startup organizations: reading the room(04:35) Why being clear on what you want is critical as a non-founder(06:00) How founder alignment shapes your career opportunities(07:30) The pitfalls of leveling too early, how titles can box everyone in(09:00) Understanding the "why" behind chasing a title(11:00) Why the Senior Manager to Director transition is a common pain point(13:00) Titles vs. comp vs. equity: how to stack rank your priorities(15:00) Creating your own role at a startup and the ego hits that come with it(16:30) Why "titles don't matter" is easy to say once you've already made it(18:00) How Sam navigates title conversations with his own team(20:00) Does the company actually need that senior role? Thinking like a manager(22:00) Putting yourself in your manager's shoes, the layers behind every promotion decision(25:00) Navigating layoffs, AI disruption, and knowing your market value(29:00) Negotiating for coaching and other non-title career resources(31:00) Survive and Thrive Toolkit: keeping your equity platform info up to dateResources: Follow me on Substack: https://nonfoundercrew.substack.com/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciarosethomasNon-Founder Crew’s website: https://www.nonfoundercrew.com/

    37 min

  3. APR 7

    How to Build a Network That Works for You in Tech Startups

    If you want more like this, I share deeper breakdowns on my Substack. In this episode of Non-Founder Crew, I’m breaking down a skill that’s crucial to your success in the tech startup world…networking.  If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of networking or thought it was just for extroverts, this episode is for you. I’ll share practical strategies that you can easily incorporate into your day-to-day routine, whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your existing network.  From optimizing your LinkedIn profile to finding natural moments to connect with others, I’ll show you how to make networking feel much more approachable and less overwhelming. I’ll also walk you through my own experiences, from my cringeworthy early attempts to how I turned networking into a powerful tool that brings opportunities to me. Networking doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It’s all about small, consistent actions that compound over time. If you’re ready to take the stress out of networking and start building connections that actually help your career, this episode will give you the practical tips and mindset shifts you need to get started. Highlights:(00:00) Why networking feels so uncomfortable(01:30) The mindset shift that changed everything(03:00) Easy ways to build connections in everyday work(05:00) How to use career transitions to strengthen relationships(06:30) Why recruiters are your biggest opportunity(08:00) What to say when a recruiter reaches out(09:00) The 10 minute daily networking habit(10:00) Why a broad network beats a small one Survive & Thrive Toolkit:  Taking the Work Out of Networking: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Work-Out-Networking-Connections/dp/1501199277The Never Search Alone Method: https://www.neversearchalone.org/Resources: Follow me on Substack: https://nonfoundercrew.substack.com/Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciarosethomasNon-Founder Crew’s website: https://www.nonfoundercrew.com/

    12 min

  4. MAR 24

    Welcome to Non-Founder Crew: A guide to getting ahead in tech startups

    Hi, I’m Alicia Thomas, and I’ve spent over a decade working in tech startups of all shapes and sizes. My journey includes everything from working in a small team of five people, all the way to being an early employee at a company that has gone on to IPO.  After years of working in the trenches, trying to figure out how it all worked, I looked back at my experiences, and thought, “there’s gotta be an easier way for folks to navigate the world of working at a startup.”  But all of the content out there was mainly tailored for founders.  If you work at a startup but aren't a founder, this podcast is for you. The startup world can be challenging, and it’s not always easy to figure out how things work when you haven’t been through it before. You’ve probably faced moments where you felt like there was no guide for the things you’re dealing with like the unwritten rules and the stuff everyone else seems to know but you. Well, you’re not alone ✨ In this podcast, I’ll share what I’ve learned along the way, from the things nobody talks about to the challenges that often get ignored. It’s about  Whether you’re new to startups or you've been around for a while, I hope this space feels like one where you can relate, learn, and know you're not alone in this journey. Highlights: (00:00) Meet Alicia Thomas (00:32) Alicia’s journey through various tech startups (02:38) Everyone is going through the same things (04:17) Struggling with burnout (05:47) Providing a resource for non-founders Resources: Newsletter: https://nonfoundercrew.substack.com/subscribe?params=%5Bobject%20Object%5D Alicia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciarosethomas Non-Founder Crew’s website: https://www.nonfoundercrew.com/

    7 min

  5. MAR 5

    Introducing the Non-Founder Crew Podcast

    Working in a tech startup can be a crazy ride. And if you feel like you’re regularly scratching your head wondering, “what does that mean?”, you’re not alone. Non-Founder Crew is a show for employees navigating the unpredictable world of tech startups, from the moments of chaos and uncertainty to chasing impossible goals. In each episode, host Alicia Thomas shares the lessons she learned after spending over a decade working in startups and the unspoken rules of surviving ~ and thriving ~ in a startup. You’ll also hear stories from experts and other non-founder employees who built their careers in the trenches of the startup world. Subscribe to Non-Founder Crew so you never miss an episode.

    2 min

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About

Non-Founder Crew is a show for employees navigating the unpredictable world of tech startups, from the moments of chaos and uncertainty to chasing impossible goals. In each episode, host Alicia Thomas shares the lessons she learned after spending over a decade working in startups and the unspoken rules of surviving ~ and thriving ~ in a startup. You’ll also hear stories from experts and other non-founder employees who built their careers in the trenches of the startup world. Subscribe to Non-Founder Crew so you never miss an episode.

Information

  • Creator
    Alicia Thomas
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Alicia Thomas
  • Show Website
    Non-Founder Crew