When I launched my first business in 2003, I admittedly wasn't thinking about hiring. I was so focused on making my LSAT prep courses available that I neglected to consider the best way to grow my reach: by enlisting help. Doing everything myself had a major impact on my ability to grow and even on how passionate I could remain over time.

I've since worked with hundreds of small business owners to launch and scale their businesses, and I've seen this situation play out repeatedly: entrepreneurs often delay hiring or expanding. And I get why.

Bringing on staff can be stressful and complicated — from sifting through potential candidates to sharing control and responsibility — and it's a major shift if you're used to working solo. But the reality is, if business is going well, you will need to hire at a certain point. And the good news is, now is a great time. With an abundance of talent looking for new opportunities, it's an employers' market.

But how do you know if you can afford the investment? And how do you ensure you're hiring the right person? What I've learned after a decade of hiring hundreds of team members is that there's nothing more important than taking the time to get the right people. Here are the four things I recommend doing to increase your odds.

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