When to Stop DIYing and Start Outsourcing: The Profit-Boosting Move You’re Avoiding

I started this business completely solo.
Me, my laptop, and a never-ending to-do list.

And in those early days I kind of loved it.
I was scrappy, resourceful, and determined to make it work.

But then I scaled way too fast.
Instead of easing into support, I went straight from “doing it all” to “building a team.”
I skipped right over the phase that would’ve made the most sense; outsourcing on a project basis.

And I paid for it.
In money. In time. In stress.
And most of all? In clarity.

Because I wasn’t just trying to grow my business. I was trying to run a full-blown operation before I’d even figured out what actually needed to be delegated.

I didn’t build slowly or intentionally.
I built fast and emotionally.
And in the process, I missed the boat on what could’ve been a really smart, really sustainable move: outsourcing strategically, one project at a time.

DIY isn’t always the problem, but it’s not always the solution either

There’s nothing wrong with doing it all yourself in the beginning.
In fact, I think it’s one of the best ways to learn what your business actually needs.

But the problem comes when we stay there too long.
Or when we try to skip the messy middle.

The place where you start handing off tasks slowly, test the waters with freelancers, get help with one thing instead of everything. That’s where the real growth happens.

I didn’t give myself that grace.
I went from zero to team, without really knowing what I needed help with.
And when it didn’t go perfectly (and it didn’t), I blamed myself.
Not the strategy. Not the timing.
Just me.

Outsourcing is a skill, not a one-time decision

Here’s what I know now: outsourcing is something you build.
It’s not about handing over everything overnight.

It’s about:

• Knowing what’s worth your time (and what isn’t)

• Figuring out which tasks drain you, even if you’re good at them

• Delegating based on real needs, not stress or panic

• Letting go of control in small doses, until you start to trust the process

If you’re still DIYing everything, or if you’ve gone all-in with support and it still doesn’t feel right…maybe you’re missing the in-between too.

Project-based outsourcing is that bridge.
It lets you stay lean, flexible, and focused, without trying to hire a team before your systems (or brain) are ready.

Signs it’s time to start outsourcing

Not sure where you’re at?
Here’s what I see all the time (and lived myself):

• You’re doing tasks that someone else could easily handle and they’re draining your energy

• You keep saying, “I’ll just do it myself” even when you hate the thing

• You’re busy all day but not making progress where it counts

• You’ve thought about hiring but feel overwhelmed by the idea of managing people

• You’re stuck between burnout and plateau and can’t figure out how to move forward

Any of that sound familiar?

It might be time to start with just one thing.
One project. One handoff. One less thing on your plate.

What I wish I’d done instead

Looking back, here’s what I would’ve done differently:

1. Kept it lean longer. Instead of rushing into hiring, I would’ve focused on refining my offers and tightening up my backend systems.

2. Used contractors more intentionally. There’s a world of difference between hiring a full-time team of employees or contractors and outsourcing one project at a time. I wish I’d done more of the latter before diving into the former.

3. Asked for help before I was desperate. Most of my early hiring came from panic. I was drowning and needed someone (anyone) to throw me a life raft. But hiring from that energy rarely works out long term.

4. Trusted that slow growth is still growth. There’s so much pressure in the online world to scale fast, delegate everything, and “act like a CEO.” But honestly? Acting like a CEO sometimes means knowing when to pause and make the smart decision…not the fast one.

What to outsource first (and how to know you’re ready)

If you’re wondering where to even begin, start here:

• What do I hate doing that someone else could do better?

• What’s taking me hours that could be done in 30 minutes by someone else?

• What am I avoiding every single week that’s slowing me down?

That’s your shortlist.

Pick one and start there.
It could be:

• A graphic designer for your next promo

• A bookkeeper to get your numbers in order

• A copywriter for your sales page

• A virtual assistant to handle inbox triage or scheduling

Whatever it is, make it something that gives you real relief.
Not just busy work. Not just “shoulds.”
Something that lets you breathe again.

You don’t have to earn ease

This is the biggest mindset shift of all:
You don’t have to earn rest.
You don’t have to earn support.
You don’t have to hit some imaginary milestone before you’re allowed to get help.

And getting help doesn’t mean hiring a full-time team.
It can mean one thing, one time.
That still counts.

It’s okay to build your business slower, with intention.
It’s okay to get it wrong and try again.
It’s okay to grow in a way that makes sense for your season.

I did it backwards and had to scale down to start over and make it work the right way.
Now, I help other women do it differently.
Better. Smarter. With more ease.

If you’re not sure what to hand off first, or how to make sure it’s actually helping your bottom line, let’s talk about it.

Not everything has to be done by you.
But it can be done for you.
And that can change everything.

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