The core pieces of culture that are most important in building out a company include who you hire and their values, the daily activities and their purpose, what you choose to communicate, and what you celebrate or punish.

Establishing a strong company culture from the beginning is vital; it guides decision-making and helps employees align with the company's values and goals.

Culture is a nebulous concept, but it's crucial for early-stage founders to break it down into manageable action items to foster a positive work environment.

The culture at GitHub was shaped by the people we hired, and it's important to codify that culture for effective communication.

To create a strong culture, start with the founder's personal values and the types of people they want to work with.

The most important cultural decisions are made when hiring, as the culture becomes the people around you.

At the early stage of your startup, it's important to think about culture because the first 20 employees will shape the company's cultural DNA and influence future hiring and training.

Company culture is vital for long-term success, even if it doesn't seem like an immediate risk. As The Muse grew from 12 to over 80 employees, I realized that establishing core values and ensuring alignment during hiring is essential for maintaining a strong culture. The culture screen of asking if you'd want to get a beer with someone can overlook incredible candidates who are different from you.

It's crucial to build the right culture from day one by defining your values and aligning your team with the company's vision and mission.