Are We Romanticising “Doing It All” as a Small Business Owner?

[GarryAspire]

I've recently launched my own business and I'm keen to understand - at what point does DIY stop being lean and start being limiting?

I’d love to know:

• Where do you draw the line between doing it yourself and outsourcing?
• Have you ever held onto something too long and it cost you?
• Or maybe you outsourced too soon and regretted it?

I keep hearing about the same pattern: business owners or founders trying to be the marketer, the accountant, the web designer, the HR team, the salesforce - all at once. I don't want to make the same mistake!

On one hand, there’s pride in being “hands-on.” On the other, there’s burnout, bottlenecks, and missed opportunities.

Is “doing it all” a badge of honour, or a hidden liability?

 

[Mark T Jones]

The biggest single failing of business owners is failure to delegate or outsource.

Call it micro-management, control-freakery or whatever you like. The reality is that if you empower others, you leave yourself more time to do the thing where you add real value

 

[ctrlbrk]

I don't want to make the same mistake!

Boy, do I have the right company for you.

Their website is <removed by moderation>


Only problem is, they then go around posting self-serving spam on business forums.

 

[GarryAspire]

Boy, do I have the right company for you.




Only problem is, they then go around posting self-serving spam on business forums.

Hi there,

Appreciate the passion, but let’s clear a few things up. Aspire to Grow is a small consultancy focused on helping freelancers, consultants, and small businesses - within the environmental sector. We're building something with purpose and care, not just shouting into the void.

Yes, I've posted on this forum to get genuine thoughts and feedback to use for my business growth, is that not what this is forum is about? I don't' think this is spam - it’s relevant, considered input aimed at those working in or around the same space. If you're not in the environmental or a related industry, chances are we’re not even speaking to you… so you’re safe, BOY.

That said, if something we’ve shared hasn’t landed right, happy to hear constructive feedback. We're building a brand, not burning bridges.

Oh I only just started trading 5 months ago - so yes I don't want to make the same mistake.

 

[fisicx]

If the cost of outsourcing is less than I can earn in an hour they get the gig.

Can’t see any point in learning how to do something then spending time doing that thing when I could be making money. Why try to do your own bookkeeping when others are far more efficient at doing so.

Need risk assessment doing? Call in the experts.

All tax deductible.

 

[Newchodge]

Hi there,

Appreciate the passion, but let’s clear a few things up. Aspire to Grow is a small consultancy focused on helping freelancers, consultants, and small businesses - within the environmental sector. We're building something with purpose and care, not just shouting into the void.

Yes, I've posted on this forum to get genuine thoughts and feedback to use for my business growth, is that not what this is forum is about? I don't' think this is spam - it’s relevant, considered input aimed at those working in or around the same space. If you're not in the environmental or a related industry, chances are we’re not even speaking to you… so you’re safe, BOY.

That said, if something we’ve shared hasn’t landed right, happy to hear constructive feedback. We're building a brand, not burning bridges.

Oh I only just started trading 5 months ago - so yes I don't want to make the same mistake.

It looks a little dishonest, doesn't it?

 

[GFI]

When I first started 6.5 years ago I did everything myself.

Including learning how to on the hoof.

12 months later I had outsourced:
All marketing - magazine print media / socials / ppc etc
All financial administration - bookeeping / VAT / Payroll etc

That left me to focus on the bit I enjoy - designing, getting the sale and installation.

More importantly it gave me the time to both grow my business and have significantly more downtime to spend with the family - the sole aim of going on our own in the first place!

When we first stated the business my wife went to work fulltime (from 20 hours per week) to cushion my loss of income.

I dropped £65k per year and the wife going full time added £15k per year - so a very small cushion. Savings were depleted significantly.

24 months from launch she was able to leave work completely to be a full time mum to our kids. They love that, she loves that and we eat so much better now with freshly cooked food all the time. Also no childminders to pay - they are sooo expensive!

We now have a headcount of 4 on the books (including my wife and I) with a 5th person planned for early to mid 2026.

I liase with marketing once a month, and occasionally adhoc when I have a great idea that they convince me is stupid.

I liase with financial admin once a month and leave them to it. (not blindly, I have full access to all the processess).

Outsource everything you cannot do yourself easily, or don't enjoy doing!

Make sure your time is spent doing the bits you enjoy and that bring in more revenue / grow margin.

The value of time cannot always be quantified verses cost - sometimes time is far more valuable than money

Best of luck to you Garry

 

[GarryAspire]

When I first started 6.5 years ago I did everything myself.

Including learning how to on the hoof.

12 months later I had outsourced:
All marketing - magazine print media / socials / ppc etc
All financial administration - bookeeping / VAT / Payroll etc

That left me to focus on the bit I enjoy - designing, getting the sale and installation.

More importantly it gave me the time to both grow my business and have significantly more downtime to spend with the family - the sole aim of going on our own in the first place!

When we first stated the business my wife went to work fulltime (from 20 hours per week) to cushion my loss of income.

I dropped £65k per year and the wife going full time added £15k per year - so a very small cushion. Savings were depleted significantly.

24 months from launch she was able to leave work completely to be a full time mum to our kids. They love that, she loves that and we eat so much better now with freshly cooked food all the time. Also no childminders to pay - they are sooo expensive!

We now have a headcount of 4 on the books (including my wife and I) with a 5th person planned for early to mid 2026.

I liase with marketing once a month, and occasionally adhoc when I have a great idea that they convince me is stupid.

I liase with financial admin once a month and leave them to it. (not blindly, I have full access to all the processess).

Outsource everything you cannot do yourself easily, or don't enjoy doing!

Make sure your time is spent doing the bits you enjoy and that bring in more revenue / grow margin.

The value of time cannot always be quantified verses cost - sometimes time is far more valuable than money

Best of luck to you Garry

This is exactly the kind of story more people need to hear - real, honest, and full of the kind of lessons you only learn by doing it the hard way first.

I love how you’ve approached growth so intentionally. Outsourcing isn’t just about saving time, it’s about making space - space to do the stuff you enjoy, to grow the business on your terms, and to get your life back (which let’s be honest, is why most of us go solo in the first place).

The bit about your wife going full-time to support the early days, and then being able to step back once the business found its feet - that’s powerful. It’s not just business success, it’s life design.

Although I'm worried about working with my partner - it's ok so far, but we are definitely clashing more than ever before.

Also, I’m definitely stealing “I liaise with marketing when I have a great idea they convince me is stupid” – that’s gold

Thanks for sharing it all so openly – plenty to take away here.

 

[GarryAspire]

If the cost of outsourcing is less than I can earn in an hour they get the gig.

Can’t see any point in learning how to do something then spending time doing that thing when I could be making money. Why try to do your own bookkeeping when others are far more efficient at doing so.

Need risk assessment doing? Call in the experts.

All tax deductible.

Thanks, great response.

 

[fantheflames]

I think this is a really valid question. One way to explore it is by combining your own research with perspectives from communities like UKBF.

I’m happy to share my experience if that helps.

In my experience, the point I reached was when tasks like admin, bookkeeping, or client reporting were taking up so much of my time that I wasn’t able to focus on clients, strategy, or growing the business the way I wanted.

I did hit that point and knew I couldn't keep doing it all in my marketing company. I built a small team, so the tasks I used to do myself (admin, reporting, scheduling, etc) are now handled by my team. And of course, that freed me up to focus on clients, strategy, and growing my business more.

But not all businesses reach that point at the same time, and what you choose to keep doing yourself versus delegate really depends on your goals, resources, and what adds the most value to your clients.