Outsourcing tips for small businesses

The secret to saving time …..

“I was finding the list of tasks in running a small business endless, often holding me back being able to grow at the pace I wanted.”

— Western Sketch

I enjoy sharing about how I run my small business Western Sketch. I am an illustrator and greeting card publisher but also a full time Mum with 3 Children, so time is very precious to me.

I was finding the list of tasks in running a small business endless, often holding me back being able to grow at the pace I wanted. so I started to consider outsourcing some aspects. This has only been something I could have considered doing recently as my business has grown but for me it’s been a worthwhile investments which have paid for themselves.

Here’s why outsourcing is my Super Power!

• TIME SAVER
  If you are a fellow small business owner, you’ll be aware of how much work is involved in running a business single handedly, you literally have to do everything mostly without much experience in certain areas. 

  I was finding the list of tasks endless, often holding me back being able to grow at the pace I wanted.

  In the last year my business has grew quite quickly but my time didn’t. I was still a full time Mum and aside from my husbands help I don’t have family support, as they live too far away. I knew knew this wasn’t going to change any time soon. 

• HIRING A PROFESSIONAL
  I felt a bit weird about doing this initially, that I may be judged,  because I was not doing every single thing.  But I decided this was a very limiting thought process and not at all helpful.  Everything is always my idea, my brief and my illustration and i’ve realised It’s no different to larger companies who employ separate people to do different business areas.  I’m not in a position or can justify  employing someone so this is a happy medium for me.

  Professionals can really help to elevate your business and brand attracting the right type of customers which is key.

• COST
  I never had considered this to be an affordable option and in the past outsourcing wouldn’t have been but an option for me to consider, but it is now something I can plan to build in and this year I can maybe consider another area to get some help with.  I have found the more I can invest in things the more return it can give me. By working with other small business experts it keeps the costs down and supports their businesses too.

So what do I Outsource?

Folding cards -

I’ve recently decided to use my printers to pre fold my cards and envelopes and sticker these with my eco friendly card clasp stickers.

These are sent in bundles ready for me to pick and pack for wholesale.

I was finding myself spending every evening doing this which was not sustainable for me. It now means I don’t make as much profit per card but actually I can take more orders so its much more productive.

I still want to send my physical orders to my stockists as I’ve has a few issues with print quality in the past so don’t fully trust the cards would be sent to my standards although that is something I am now considering to send cards direct too my stockists from the printer.

Website Build -

I paid for my website to be redesigned and set up last year.

I needed my own shop and wholesale shop but knew I didn’t have time to do this myself. I found a local virtual assistant who did an amazing job for me. The cost was a few hundred pounds but I now take wholesale orders via this and this has already paid for itself. I currently manage updating my website but would consider help with this in the future, when I could afford this.

Graphic Design -

I use a designer to create my wholesale catalogue and update this. I have also used them to design repeat prints using my illustrations for gift wraps and they have also designed my notebooks!

I often have ideas how I’d like my products to look but don’t have the technical knowledge or time to produce these. This has again been such a great investment and has paid for itself quite quickly.

My gift wraps are now regularly ordered alongside greeting cards by wholesale customers.

Product Photography -

My latest investment was getting my Christmas collections professionally photographed, this has also been a huge goal of mine.

I was so frustrated with the images I produced, they are always so rushed as I have to take these in day light, so I am really dictated around very small pockets of time often squeezing a days shoot into an hour. I’d definitely hire a professional photographer again.

I used Holly Booth Studios and I’d definitely recommend them

Wholesale Agent - I work with a fantastic wholesale agent who represents brands in the East Midlands area.

My cards on the road buy them to show East Midland based independent shops covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to secure wholesale orders for me.

Agents work on 20% commission basis are really personable as shop owners get to meet in person and see physical samples. It’s been one of the best decisions in starting wholesale to work along side an agent, I feel very lucky to have found one so local to me.

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I hope this gives a little insight into how I run my business on the little time I have, whilst outsourcing is not for everyone it currently works well for me and i’ll continue to look at other areas in the future to get assistance with.

You can follow me on Instagram if you’d like yo keep up to date with my small business