You really can’t do it all alone. No small business becomes a big business with a single person at the wheel. It takes a team of experts to scale your efforts. Before I continue, let me state that I understand if you want to remain a business team of 1. There is nothing wrong with that.
However, just keep in mind that at some point, additional growth will require additional people.
The problem is, building that team brings its own stress.
How can you know who to trust? Where will you find the time to train? What if you can’t afford to outsource?
These and other questions are what prevent entrepreneurs just like you from turning a good business idea into a 6- or even 7-figure empire. Here’s what to do about it.
Know Your Personal Work Style & Preferences
Not everyone works in a similar style. Some people love to touch base by phone, while others prefer email. Some people require lots of direction and step-by-step guidance, others work better when they can figure it out on their own.
No way is right or wrong, but if you’re a phone person and you hire an email lover, there’s going to be conflict.
Look for team members who are a fit with your preferred work style, and you’ll be much happier with the end result.
Commit to the Effort
Hiring a team takes time. Not only do you have to spend time looking for the right person, interviewing several candidates, and onboarding your final choice, but you also have to train your new team member.
Remember, no matter how skilled she might be, she’s never worked in your business, so there will be a learning curve. Encourage her to ask questions, and take the time to answer carefully. Expect mistakes—at least in the beginning—and build enough time in your schedule to allow for fixing them.
The effort and time you put in up front is well worth it when you have a team you can count on.
Don’t Be Afraid to Cut Ties
Not everyone you hire will be a good fit. As a business owner, it’s up to you to do the right thing for your business growth (and your own stress levels) and sometimes that means moving on from a relationship that’s not working.
Remember, it’s business, not personal. Sometimes even the best-looking applicant turns out to be all wrong, and that’s okay. Take what you’ve learned from the experience, and use that knowledge for the next hire.
Finally, start small.
While you might dream of working two hours per day and taking entire summers off, it’s unrealistic to think you can go from 12-hour days to stress-free entrepreneurship in a few short weeks.
Start by hiring one person to take on the tasks you most dislike, then slowly grow your team and their responsibilities. Eventually, you’ll be left with only the work you truly want to do (and that you enjoy) and your business will run even more smoothly.
I know all too well what this looks like, Paul. I anticipate that this is the year I will need my own support.
That is a good sign, Aletha! Congratulations!
I hate talking on the phone. That means I need someone different from me to do that for me.
Ugggg – I’m with you too. Really dislike talking on the phone.
Ah, the necessary evils of business – LOL.
Especially if they are better at it! Hiring someone that has a better skill set is usually a good thing!
I get it, for now it is just ME! In time yes, my goal is to bring others into my business and grow but now it is about scaring myself silly doing uncomfortable things!
Go for it!
Hiring is a tough topic for me .I am still on the fence about that.
It was for me too before I did it! You can start small meaning hire out some tasks to someone for only a couple hours a week!
When I had my online marketing/web design business, I always wanted to hire someone…but couldn’t let go of the work that did. However, I knew that I needed help. What I ended up doing was outsourcing work to independent solopreneurs. Eventually, I outsourced almost everything…. then I retired. LOL
That is the way to do it! I am in a similar position – I like to do the work… I should be handing it off to my team!
Great tips! I am hoping that I get to the point this year to have to utilize these rules in hiring!!
Start small, Dominique! Maybe you can hire a Virtual Assistant (VA) for just a couple hours a month and build it up from there.
I feel like it takes a team to be successful and need to help when in need!
You can always start small and build it up!
This year, I might just have to venture into building new members of my “solo-prenurship”. Finding and trusting the right people will indeed be the challenge ahead!
Enjoy the journey – don’t think of it as a challenge!
No, a small business can become large with a single person at the wheel. But, that doesn’t mean that person is the only one on the bus- or the truck. It does take a full team, with different points of view, to satisfy the needs of the marketplace.
You are either on the bus or off the bus! So I have heard!
Thanks, Paul! Look forward to that moment of abundance.
Abundance is already here – just look around and embrace it!