At First Principles Education, quality is non-negotiable — and yet, their team isn’t built the traditional way. In a recent episode of Founder’s HR, we spoke with Gary, co-founder of First Principles Education, to uncover how this lean, mentorship-driven startup scales its impact using a hybrid team structure — one that cleverly leverages freelance talent without compromising on consistency or culture.

From Struggling Student to Study Skills Advocate

Gary’s journey into education wasn’t born from academic success — quite the opposite. It was his struggle and eventual transformation through effective study habits that inspired him to co-found First Principles Education. The company provides one-year mentorship programs focused on study skills for primary school students, akin to a personal trainer but for learning. With an average of 15–20 students onboard each month, Gary knew he couldn’t deliver this alone.

The Power of a Freelance-First Model

While most education startups might look to scale through full-time hires, Gary took a different route. Today, First Principles Education operates with a core team of just four — including himself — and a network of over 30 freelance mentors. But here’s what makes their model unique:

They don't just "use freelancers"; they build systems and culture around them.

Freelancers at First Principles are not just add-ons — they’re integral to the delivery of the mentorship program. And they’re not casually sourced, either. “All our mentors come through word-of-mouth referrals,” Gary explains. “That’s our first filter for quality.” The logic is simple — existing mentors won’t refer someone who might tarnish the reputation of the team.

Building a Culture of Accountability and Growth

Maintaining quality at scale, especially with freelancers, can be challenging. Gary tackled this by introducing:

• Clear Performance Metrics: Before anything else, they define what ‘quality’ looks like, moving away from subjective assessments.
  

• Session-Based Compensation: Instead of hourly rates, mentors are paid per session — encouraging them to go above and beyond without clock-watching.
  

• Default Bonus System: Rather than working toward a bonus, mentors receive a baseline incentive upfront — which is only deducted if they fail to meet expectations. “It plays on psychology,” Gary says. “Losing something you already had hurts more than missing out on a potential gain.”
  

• Team Leads Within the Freelance Pool: Senior mentors are promoted to lead small groups of newer mentors, creating a hierarchy within the freelance team and decentralizing quality control.

This layered approach allows the small core team to focus on strategy and innovation while the mentor pool operates with autonomy, accountability, and upward mobility.

Freelancers with Full-Time Potential

What’s more impressive is that First Principles doesn’t treat freelance work as transactional. “One of our current core team members started as a part-time mentor,” Gary shared. “She believed in our mission and is now pursuing a Master's in the Science of Learning.”

This open-door policy encourages mentors to propose new ideas and take ownership — and when those ideas benefit the company, they're rewarded. Whether it's building internal tools or piloting new initiatives like the “Refresher Clinic,” Gary ensures compensation is fair and transparent. If someone proposes something that adds value, they’re empowered — financially and professionally — to make it happen.

Simple Tools, Clear Systems

Behind the scenes, the operations run on Slack for communication, ClickUp for task management, and Google Suite for documentation. It’s all designed to be foolproof — with step-by-step guides and videos to reduce dependency on the core team.

As Gary puts it: “Processes will set you free.” And with over 30 freelance mentors delivering high-touch mentorship, it's a system that clearly works.

Final Advice for Founders

Gary’s parting words? “Hire fast, fire faster.” For freelance teams, especially, speed and decisiveness are key. Define expectations clearly, track performance rigorously, and don’t waste time on poor fits. “There are always more capable and suitable people out there,” he says.

The Takeaway

In an era where remote work and freelancing are becoming the norm, First Principles Education shows what’s possible when you approach it with intentional design. Their ability to scale mentorship, ensure quality, and foster a strong team culture — all through freelancers — offers a blueprint for startups everywhere.