Have you started a new forum with no staff?

I started w/ no staff, After 6-8 months and a few hundred members I brought on a few moderators. Initially I gave them catchy titles and an area of expertise, but that changed to where they are all now general moderators.

 

I'll echo what most everyone else said.
I start all sites with me as the only staff, and only member.
I don't really look for staff until the work just gets to much for me to take care, then I pick them wisely.

 

Generally speaking, the most successful forums are going to have other people committed to the concept. That might mean staff, or it might not, but it takes a lot of time to 'take off', as it were.

 

Like the vast majority here, I started on my own and hired staff as my forums gained some activity.