You've been running your business long enough to make consistent sales and generate a decent amount of leads. That's amazing! What a great place to get to as a small business owner.
But you're realizing that you're either at capacity and can't grow beyond your current level, or all the things you've been doing to maintain your success are precariously teetering on the edge of a cliff, about to fall. The success may not last if you have to be the only one holding it all together.
Signs It's Time to Bring Someone Onboard
So what are some more specific signs that you need to hire, beyond that general sense of overwhelm?
You're leaving money on the table
Are you turning down projects, events, or even clients due to a lack of capacity? When you start saying "no" to opportunities not because they're not a good fit, but simply because you don't have time, that's a clear indicator that you need support.
Your growth has plateaued
Your sales and income have been stagnant or on a downward trend for a while. Often this happens not because your business concept isn't solid, but because you've hit the ceiling of what one person can accomplish without systems and support.
You lack strategic direction
You don't really know what to do next in your business to reach your next goal. When you're caught up in the day-to-day operations, you lose the time and mental space needed for strategic thinking and planning.
Your passion is fading
You get discouraged spending so much time on the day-to-day operations of your business. While these operational tasks are necessary, they're taking away too much time from actually doing what you love—being in your zone of genius and fulfilling the reason you started your business in the first place!
You're stuck in busy work
You get lost in the to-dos and aren't even sure if your efforts are helping your business grow. You're working harder but not smarter, and everything feels like it requires your personal attention.
You're experiencing burnout symptoms
Constant exhaustion, declining quality of work, and forgetting important details are all signs that you're stretched too thin. These burnout indicators suggest it's not just about wanting help—you need it for your wellbeing and the health of your business.
Taking the First Step
Hiring doesn't necessarily mean bringing on a full-time employee right away. Consider starting with:
A virtual assistant for 5-10 hours a week to handle administrative tasks
A project-based contractor for specific expertise you lack
An Online Business Manager (like me!) who can help coordinate multiple aspects of your business
The cost of hiring is an investment, but consider the cost of not hiring: limited growth, burnout, and potentially even business failure. Sometimes the smartest financial decision is recognizing when you need to spend money to make money.
What tasks would you delegate first if you could wave a magic wand and have them handled perfectly? The answer to this question often reveals exactly where you should start your hiring journey.
