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 date

Resources:

• Follow me on Substack: https://nonfoundercrew.substack.com/
• Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciarosethomas
• Non-Founder Crew’s website: https://www.nonfoundercrew.com/

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/1501199277
• The 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/aliciarosethomas
• Non-Founder Crew’s website: https://www.nonfoundercrew.com/

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/