“How did you create a successful business and kept it growing for 10 years?!”
SIMPLE ANSWER: not alone. Yes when you first start, if you have no capital to invest or no investors, there are a ton of things you will need to do solo to manage expenses. As soon as you can please hire help, or hire an intern (or 3).
When I first launched my marketing/social media firm 10 years ago, I contracted one tech guy and brought on one intern (from my alma mater, @emersoncollege). As I grew, I brought in more people, paid for more of their time, and outsourced as much as possible. This way I could focus on what I do best (strategy, client relationships, contracts, and motivating my team).
There is no special badge you get for being a martyr and doing it alone, nor is there a bigger check waiting for you. In fact, if you don’t scale your business, you will lose it or sabotage its growth.
The creative energy from working with a diverse team is incredible. Some of my company’s biggest success stories weren’t my idea, and I’m perfectly ok with it.
If you don’t have the funds to hire people right now, bring an intern on board, schedule a meet up with other local entrepreneurs to brainstorm ideas for one another’s businesses, or recruit your Aunt Judy who is board as hell anyway (no I’m not kidding).
Don’t do it alone. You don’t need to nor are you meant to. Just make sure everyone you bring on paid or unpaid signs an agreement and a NDA (non-disclosure agreement). Yes even Aunt Judy has to sign ✍️ NO EXCEPTIONS.