What We Look for in People: The Icelaven Mindset

“The kind of people we look for are people that are interested in the same stuff we are.”
James Galyean

CEO, Icelaven

At Icelaven, we don’t start with credentials—we start with character.

That mindset drives how we hire, partner, and lead. Because talent alone doesn’t guarantee trust. And qualifications don’t always mean alignment. What matters more is mindset: the way someone sees the world, the work, and their role in both.

James Galyean explained that the ideal team member at Icelaven cares deeply about the mission—whether that’s education, marketing, finance, or building something new from the ground up. But they also bring a posture that isn’t easy to teach: curiosity, initiative, and ownership.

Craig Wooten, Icelaven’s Chief of Staff, adds a layer of clarity to that:

“The ideal person… wants to keep pushing forward, keep challenging themselves. Maybe in the past, they weren’t given that opportunity. And they see Icelaven as a vehicle to experiment, learn, and do things.”

It’s not about perfection. It’s about momentum. About hunger. About showing up and saying, “What can I build?”

What Makes Someone a Fit at Icelaven?

1. Mission Before Ego

You’ll thrive here if you care more about doing the work than being seen doing it. Our best team members move quietly, consistently, and with intention. They don’t chase credit. They chase clarity.

2. Growth-Mindedness

Icelaven is not a place for people who want to stay the same. We’re evolving constantly—and that means roles evolve, expectations shift, and opportunities emerge. Our people lean into that. They learn. They stretch. They bring ideas.

3. Collaborative Ownership

We work cross-functionally, quickly, and with trust. The ideal person doesn’t need micromanagement—they need vision and space. And they take responsibility for what’s in their hands.

4. Courage to Try

It’s not enough to play it safe. The Icelaven mindset means raising your hand, trying something new, and knowing that failure is part of momentum.

“They see Icelaven as a vehicle to experiment, learn, and do things.”

Building Teams That Move the Mission

We don’t just want hard workers. We want aligned builders.
The kind of people who look at a gap and instinctively ask, “What can I do?”
The kind of people who are energized by vision and grounded in reality.
The kind of people who don’t wait to be invited—they show up ready.
Those are the people who move the mission forward.
And in return, we give them space, support, and trust to do it.

Why Culture Fit Isn’t Enough

Culture fit can become a trap if it only means “they’re like us.”

At Icelaven, we look for culture add—people who believe what we believe, but bring something new. A different lens. A sharpened skill. A lived experience that expands our perspective.
Because the future of Icelaven doesn’t depend on replicating who we’ve been. It depends on deepening who we are.

“We’re not looking for trophies. We’re looking for teammates.”

A Final Word from the Founders

Hiring isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about building trust.

We’re looking for people who want to grow with us. Who understand the weight of doing something that matters. Who believe that the right mindset matters more than a polished pitch.

Because at Icelaven, we’re not just hiring people. We’re building something that lasts. And we want teammates who feel the same.