The Information’s constant challenge: Finding the right staffers

Alexa von Tobel of Inc. podcast “Founders Project” interviewed The Information founder and CEO Jessica Lessin about how she started the tech news site.

The Information has more than 10,000 subscribers paying $400 a year.

“I thought I was going to end my career at The Wall Street Journal,” said Lessin. “I thought I was going to be there for a very long time.”

But she became frustrated at The Journal and wanted to do things differently. “It became something I became obsessed with,” she said. And then, an entrepreneur told her that if there was one aspect of tech reporting that she could do better than others, then that was enough to start a business.

Lessin said her learning curve was being a better manager and that not everyone wants to be managed in the same way. “That was a lesson that took me a year or so to figure out,” she said. “…I wish I had learned sooner.”

Recruiting and getting the right people on the team has been challenging, said Lessin.  “That challenge never goes away,” she said. “How do we go from 40 people to 80 people?”

Lessin said the site’s mission is simple. “We want to build the world’s most valuable and important business publication,” said said, noting that half of her subscribers don’t work in technology.

To listen to the interview, go here.