No, your co-workers aren’t your family. How startups build professional communities instead

For startups, building a professional community is crucial in launching, building and scaling.

Ever been to one of those overpriced burger places? You know, the ones typically started by “two bros with a dream,” charging an extra £1 for dips served in tiny metal cups, and proudly claiming they "do things a little differently around here"? Workplaces branding themselves as a “family” carry that exact same energy. But great startups don’t build families; they build professional communities.

Referring to workplace culture as a “family” was - and, to some extent, still is - a major red flag. Harvard Business Review sounded the alarm as early as 2021, joined soon after by Forbes and The Atlantic, yet some companies still haven't gotten the memo.

As a founder, the appeal of calling your team “family” is understandable: hiring great people is challenging, and family sticks together, right? Unfortunately, the real-world repercussions of this seemingly harmless practice undermine any semblance of a healthy workplace. After all, you don’t hire, appraise, fire, or financially compensate your actual family, nor do employees expect their bosses to act like parents. When a founder says, “We’re like a family,” there's often an unspoken implication: “…so we'll place extra obligations on you, demand unconditional devotion, blur boundaries, and resent it when you prioritize anything above work.”

So, how can you build a genuine professional community in startups instead?

Start by replacing the word “family” with “community.” A professional community isn't about forced loyalty - it’s about shared purpose, transparent communication, and a culture that respects ambition and autonomy. When employees feel part of a professional community that genuinely values their contributions, respects their boundaries, and supports their growth, they stick around - not because they owe loyalty, but because they genuinely want to.

Often, building a strong professional community in startups begins with hiring the right people. Creating something great is tough enough; doing it alongside people you don’t connect with is exponentially harder.

At Venture Crush, we tackle work-culture issues head-on by ensuring your co-workers are the right fit from day one. Our AI pairs founders with developers based not just on skills and experience, but also on shared values, motivations, and interests. The result? Partnerships that last, MVPs that succeed, and a professional community you actually enjoy.

Don’t miss out—pre-register now at www.venture-crush.com/register and start building your professional community today.