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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Overwhelmed with own business

34 replies

butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 21:43

Ok so not really an Aibu, but - I run my own service based business and am starting to feel so run down and am unsure how to move forward as feel like I’m on a permanent tightrope.

I probably have a few too many clients for what I can handle and have tried outsourcing but not yet really found anyone reliable. I’m not yet in a position to have an office with staff (well I could but it would reduce my income hugely). I guess I’m just wondering if anyone who’s been in a similar position has by advice?

It’s all going ok, but have that permanent feeling that, if I drop a single ball the lot will come crashing down.

OP posts:
Leobynature · 18/09/2019 21:50

I do not have my own business. But could you join forces with another self employed person who offers the same service. You could rent office space together and then outsource to them if you have too much on. Equally they could pass on clients to you if thy are snowed under and your a little more free time. It’s just pooling together resources. Just an idea

DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 18/09/2019 21:58

When you take on a new client, how long do they stay with you? Is it a long term thing, or more like driving lessons where there tends to be a shorter turnaround?

If you carry on as you are, you will get ill and everything will collapse. You need to work out how much you can do, and stop taking on new clients for a while. Are there agencies who you could go to for temporary staff to clear the backlog? I've been SE for 15 years and I truly understand The Fear, but you are obviously good at what you do and are able to attract new customers. That's a good thing, and often if you provide a very good service, people can be willing to wait.

I also strongly recommend that you schedule some time in the week when you are not working in any way. Enforce it no matter what. Burning out is a much bigger risk than losing clients. Don't reach the point where your office seems to be spinning and you can't make it stop, or you have stress induced ulcers (both of these things have happened to me and were entirely my own fault for not being more sensible and working 115 hours a week, every single week for 5 years).

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 22:02

@Leobynature I probably could do this - with someone who offers similar but not the same services. Good idea

OP posts:
Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 22:06

@DontDribbleOnTheCarpet as I’ve just remembered that I’ve name changed I’ll be straight. I run a marketing agency - so clients are generally long term but also take on short term projects as well.

I am quite strict around “working hours” (after w client text me at 5am last Christmas morning with a nonissue) but it’s hard. Am still “building the business” most of the time as well.

I think it’s the leap from trying to do it all myself to the next stage that I really struggle with.

OP posts:
Racmactac · 18/09/2019 22:14

I'm in similar situation. Feel free to pm me

Is there anything you can outsource?
So I've outsourced my monthly accounts and am just making enquiries about outsourcing the marketing.

So I can try an concentrate on my actual job.

EndoftheWorlds · 18/09/2019 22:16

I don't work on Saturday.

Other than that its supply and demand. I think that you accept that if you are a single trader type business you have to be flexible and work long hours as required.
Plus side is that I never have to advertise or market to get clients and I never have to lower my prices.

Thecapturefan · 18/09/2019 22:18

Outsource as much as you can! Bookkeeping, admin, cleaning everything. So you’re only doing the actual work of your business.

Depending how large your business is bookkeeping shouldn’t be a huge expense.

EssentialHummus · 18/09/2019 22:21

Do you need to say yes to every client/project that comes your way? What are your financial goals and your aim wrt to the business?

I had a period like this and responded by increasing my prices (though I do exclusively short term projects, which made that easier). I got slightly fewer clients but more money per project. When the work picked up again I did the same again. It's now stable.

It's difficult. I also have moments where I think I'd like to hire and train someone to help, but then I don't have time to do that, because work... I feel your pain.

Span1elsRock · 18/09/2019 22:30

DH and I run our own business.

As PPs have said, outsource whatever you can. We've recently started sending some of our bespoke items out and it's been a godsend, we're both cross we didn't do it ages ago. Certain things can only be done in our own environment, so we are in the lucky position of being selective in what we take on to do...... so we are able to turn down work with a low profit margin and take the better jobs. When trade is less, we take anything and everything. It's just a case of balancing the scales - it does get easier with experience.

Golden rules are we work 6 days - and evenings/one day at weekend are sacred. You have to be able to recharge your batteries.

delilahbucket · 18/09/2019 22:37

I found I had to work smarter not harder. I managed to save a lot of time making small changes.

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 22:39

@EssentialHummus lt. I also have moments where I think I'd like to hire and train someone to help, but then I don't have time to do that, because work.
Exactly this...

OP posts:
Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 22:39

@delilahbucket - such as??

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magicmallow · 18/09/2019 22:41

Pomodoro technique - it's life changing.

For annoying things you have to do often e.g. book keeping, admin, but put off a lot so it builds and builds - schedule in small 5 minute blocks each day, this will get momentum going but in bite size manageable chunks so it doesn't get out of hand.

Learn the power of saying no! Also realise when you say yes to one thing it means you don't have time for something else, so work out what you really want to do and only do that.

HennyPennyHorror · 18/09/2019 22:42

Butterfly I understand. I'm a copywriter and at times I am so stressed by my workload that I think it would be simpler to get a job somewhere. In fact I have applied for a copywriting position already.

What once suited me because my children were small is now more of a millstone.

Could you get an intern?

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 22:47

@henny lol copywriting is part of my job - and while I love it - it’s a milestone isn’t it. I do outsource it, but honestly it’s never quite right.

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HennyPennyHorror · 18/09/2019 22:53

I know...at times I've thought about outsourcing but it feels like even that would be too much work as I'd have to watch over and probably edit what people do for me.

I know my clients and what they need...

delilahbucket · 18/09/2019 22:53

@39butterybiscuitbasic I don't know what you do but I don't think it is anything like what I do, so didn't give specifics as they would be irrelevant. The principle is the same though, look at everything you do for your job. Equipment upgrades, software, there must be somewhere you can save time. Alternatively, if you are so knee deep you can't see for looking, ask someone close to you to evaluate.

Kahlua4me · 18/09/2019 23:05

When we started our business it was like that for some time. Dh works in a trade and I manage the paperwork.

For a while it was a case of “will we, won’t we, will we won’t we” as it is a daunting prospect taking somebody else on. In the end we took on an apprentice as dh wanted to make sure they worked the same was he did as well as being able to help somebody progress.

Best thing we did really although it is stressful at times, but it certainly helped the business grow and allow dh time to breathe! We now have 4 employees and have just taken on our 3 apprentice as the others have qualified.

The other thing you could do is see if there is somebody local who would want just a few hours a day to help out rather than a full time role. There are always loads of mums looking for part time work.

HennyPennyHorror · 18/09/2019 23:08

Bucket she's in marketing.

Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 23:25

@Kahlua4me the apprentice idea is interesting. I took on a freelance student last year and he was actually very good.

OP posts:
Original poster
butterybiscuitbasic · 18/09/2019 23:27

@delilahbucket - I already spend thousands a month on automation software (it’s not just for me but for clients as well). I wondered more if you use certain processes etc

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VanGoghsDog · 18/09/2019 23:58

Increase your rates, have fewer clients but more profitable ones

HoldMyLobster · 19/09/2019 02:47

When I'm feeling like this I usually give up my least satisfactory clients - the ones who pay me least, or are hard to work with, or don't give me regular work.

I keep thinking that at some point I could partner up with other people, or subcontract, but I don't really want the hassle of being an employer or subcontracting, and I just haven't really found any good partners who I can rely on.

I don't need to earn a huge amount of money, and having flexibility is valuable to me atm. But I can see in the future I might choose to expand at which point I'll focus on that.

It can be useful at this point to join a group of people going through similar, or find a business coach to help you look at how to work more effectively. And outsourcing stuff like bookkeeping, IT support, etc really is very valuable.

BlueGingerale · 19/09/2019 03:02

You don’t need an office to employ someone. I employ someone who works entirely from her home.

Not do you need to employ someone full time. You can employ them as many hours as you can afford.

It’s very easy to find mums who want a part time job working from home.

BritInUS1 · 19/09/2019 03:39

I'm a self employed accountant and I feel your pain. Happy to chat if you want to message me

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