Paul GrahamVerified account

If you're the CEO of a fast-growing startup, the mistake you'll make in the next year that you'll regret most will probably be a hiring mistake. Possibly hiring someone established, which you'll feel you should do now you're getting big, and which VCs will strongly encourage.

I'm not saying you should never hire anyone established. You'll probably have to eventually. But your need for them is not as urgent as you fear, or your VCs claim. And established people are really good at seeming better than they are.