From the fast-moving, go-getting stories we hear about successful business owners and entrepreneurs, it’s easy to think they take care of absolutely everything themselves.
That’s what you do when you work for yourself, isn’t it?
But one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from self-employment is that having the right support structures in place – for me and my business – is vital.
Can you really do it all?
Let’s face it: no one person can have all the skills required to run a business perfectly on their own.
As well as devoting every second of your time to that business, you’d have to be an expert in so many things, from strategy, finance, web design, and behind-the-scenes tech to marketing, social media, and PR.
That’s before we get round to what your business actually does!
Working out what you’d most like to focus on, then outsourcing the rest to professionals-who-can, will help you squeeze maximum enjoyment from your business.
Not only will you get to keep doing the work you love and are best at, but the tasks you’d rather skip will be taken care of by a qualified person who wants to do them.
(Think of a real-life ‘one man band’. They play lots of instruments on their own, but the music won’t sound as good as when it’s played by an orchestra.)
Self-employment can feel isolating at times. Aside from building a reliable network of professional contacts, there’s a lot to be said for working alongside other friendly people who know exactly what it’s like to own and run their own business
The best support is the kind that’s right for you
Support comes in many forms, and the kind you will most benefit from depends on your needs.
From a business point of view, not only do I outsource plenty of non-accountancy tasks, but on occasion I will also collaborate with larger, specialised firms for more complex tax enquiries.
This arrangement allows me to offer a well-rounded service to my clients (and stops me from resorting to Google to find complicated tax solutions, which is always a terrible idea!)
Don’t forget personal support
Finding the right support isn’t just important for business. It’s important for you.
Amongst my other loved ones, it’s no secret that I rely heavily on my dog, Ida, for personal support. So much so, that Ida holds the important title of Head of Mindfulness and Wellbeing at Guida Accountancy.
Simply having a patient partner, family member, or friend (four-legged or two!) who can be there for you at the end of a long, hard day, can make all the difference to your mental health.
Wouldn’t you rather have someone else do your accounts?
My speciality is helping my clients stay friends with the taxman, while they keep doing the work they set their businesses up to do.
If you’d like to find out more, let’s talk! Click here to book your complimentary, half-hour discovery call.
I look forward to learning more about you and your business.
