Hiring a product manager (PM) is a significant step for startup founders, especially when it comes to product development. Many founders struggle with this decision due to a deep attachment to their product and the fear of losing control. Saumil Mehta, former CPO at Square, suggests that hiring a PM should happen when the time spent on product work is less valuable than time spent on growth and go-to-market strategies. Founders often find themselves bottlenecked as the company scales, leading to challenges in managing product decisions while also focusing on urgent business needs. Mehta emphasizes that the right moment for a founder to hire a PM varies by company. Startups typically start with minimal input sources—founders' hypotheses and customer feedback. As they gain traction, the volume of inputs from various stakeholders increases significantly. Once a startup reaches a stage where it has multiple sources of feedback and decision-making pressure, it’s a strong indicator that a dedicated PM is necessary. Founders should recognize that as the startup evolves, the complexity of product decisions grows, often overwhelming the founder who tries to juggle too many roles. The article outlines several heuristics to help determine when to hire a PM. One key heuristic is the rate and frequency of inputs for decision-making. As products mature, the influx of feedback and data accelerates, demanding more rapid and tactical decisions. Founders need to be aware of their limitations and recognize when they can no longer effectively manage the necessary product work while also driving other critical aspects of the business. This awareness can guide them toward making a more informed decision about bringing on their first PM.