The Hunter, The Skinner, and The Cook – The 3 Roles Every Business Needs

Every Business is a System – Here’s How to Make Yours Work
In business, success isn’t just about having a great idea or working hard—it’s about having the right roles in place. No matter the industry, every successful enterprise has three essential roles: The Hunter, The Skinner, and The Cook.
If you’re missing any of these, your business is probably struggling in one way or another. Let’s break them down.
The Hunter – The Rainmaker
The Hunter is the one who goes out and gets the business. This could be a salesperson, marketer, or founder actively seeking opportunities, networking, and bringing in leads. Without a strong hunter, a business will struggle to grow because there’s no one actively feeding the pipeline.

• In sales: This is your lead generator or business development rep.

• In startups: This could be the CEO or a growth hacker.

• In any business: No hunters = no new customers.

The Skinner – The Process Expert
Once the Hunter brings in the opportunity, the Skinner ensures it’s properly processed and optimized. The Skinner plays a crucial role in efficiency, organization, and making sure what’s brought in actually gets converted into value.

• In sales: The account manager or onboarding specialist.

• In operations: The project manager or systems builder.

• In business: No skinners = wasted opportunities and inefficiency.

The Cook – The Value Creator
The Cook is the one who actually delivers the final product or service. They turn raw materials into something valuable, ensuring customer satisfaction and retention.

• In sales: The customer success team.

• In service businesses: The consultant, trainer, or fulfillment specialist.

• In product businesses: The engineers, designers, or production teams.

• In business: No cooks = unhappy customers and poor retention.

Why This Matters for Your Business
If you’re struggling in your business, ask yourself: Which role is missing or weak?

• If sales are slow, you likely need a stronger Hunter.

• If you’re bringing in business but dropping the ball on execution, you need a better Skinner.

• If customers aren’t happy or leaving quickly, you need a stronger Cook.

Balance These Roles and Watch Your Business Thrive
A successful business is like a well-run kitchen. If the hunter doesn’t bring in food, there’s nothing to cook. If the skinner doesn’t prepare it properly, it’s a mess. And if the cook doesn’t deliver great meals, customers won’t come back.
Look at your business today—are all three roles working together?