by Hope
Several years ago, I wrote an article on my personal blog about Striking Out on Your Own. I was forced to start my own business because of my priority in staying home with my children. I have absolutely no regrets about that decision. BUT…
My natural tendency is not be the #1 when it comes to business, I am much more comfortable as a #2. I tried explaining this to my twins as they start feeling out what they may want to do with their lives. It came out a little bit like this…typically, the head of a company is the visionary, has great ideas, is great with networking and people and can influence people. That’s not how I see myself. I see myself at the support staff…you give me the idea and I can make it happen. I am smart, determined and know how to find good resources. I am really not good at social situations and my visionary abilities stop at planning a great vacation.
So with that being said, as I am Exploring Making more Money, I have been looking for ways to streamline what I do so that I can do more. My business is just me, no subcontractors, no staff, just me. I do all the work: the marketing, the management, the sales, the customer service, the administration and the actual technical work. I have been focusing on tracking my work and free time to see if there is anywhere that would be the most economical items to contract out to free me up some.
I know I then have to weigh the benefits and cost of subcontracting versus doing it myself, but this is where my mind is heading right now. So my question is for you entrepreneurs out there, what tasks have you found to be most effective and efficient to contract out versus doing it yourself?
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.
But life has a way of rewriting your plans.
A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.
Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.
Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.
She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.
In my opinion, it is great that you understand where your strengths are Hope! You should read Chris Ducker’s new book Virtual Freedom if you plan to contract things out… VAs are invaluable!
I’d say it depends on the type of business. If you are trying to create the “Next Big Thing”, you probably want to have the visionary front and center. If you are trying to run a solid business based on an existing model (provide a service, retail, etc.) I don’t see why you can’t do it with the “make it happen” skill set you describe and that such a mentality would even be preferred.
I think only you know the answer to that question. You’d want to subcontract the jobs out that are taking you the most time…you need to look at your ROI (Return on Investment) to determine those tasks. The down side to this is that you subcontract the work and something isn’t done right and then you lose the business. Not worth taking a chance in my opinion. Don’t change what is working.
I don’t see a problem with your current mindset… you don’t have to be a visionary but in reality, you do have a pretty good vision of what you want and you’ve made it happen. You are supporting a family of five with your business. That is a pretty good model of success in my eyes. I think you should give yourself some credit. There is nothing wrong with support people, every business needs that.
I’d focus less on more income and instead refine the budget that you have now. Those are dollar for dollar savings and those take some time. You have a lot on your plate and you are the sole breadwinner. Don’t spread yourself too thin.