May 15, 2006.
Alright, I know you wear tons of hats. And, a Mom to boot - on any given day you wear the following; caregiver, driver, cook, maid, teacher, disciplinarian, personal shopper, launderer, doctor, bather, and the list goes on and on.
Last week, one of the artists I work with asked how or more like why I was doing so much at once. She wanted to know how I was able to function doing so much at the same time. I thought about it and said, "Because I have to". and the I mumbled to myself that I was wearing too many hats at work.
So, I made a list of my hats:
- CEO
- Web Designer
- Office Manager
- Receptionist
- Cleaning Person
- Buyer
- Accounts Receivable
- Collections
- Sales Manager
- Art Director for new development
- Copy writer
- Shipping Clerk
Okay, and that was Monday.....I am not writing this to brag, nor to complain. This is just a fact of being the owner of a small business - and it's growing. Actually, I think I need to find a better balance and focus on one (or 4) thing at a time. Having me jump from one task to another is counter-productive. And when I get down to it, I am not good at all those jobs.
Find what you are good at, and focus on that (so they say). All the books I read say that you should hire someone, however they never mention 'how to' if you don't have the funds. That is when we got creative.
Using friends, family members, high school students, interns - are many of the ways we found when we started the business to fill key positions. If all else fails my husband will fill in the position on the weekends or evenings. We have been known to do web design (our first ) on our bed late, late one night.
Our busiest time of the year is Christmas and Friends and family always seem to volunteer each year. They get a 50% discount on holiday and personalized items for friends and family and get to attend our annual holiday party. They don't get paid much, but each year they rally around us because the KNOW we need help. Last year I was a blubbering mess at our party thanking all of the friends that had helped us.
I am about at the end of my rope on my 15 jobs a day, so I think it's time to see what to do to fill some much needed spots. I need to give up some hats, because, for me Christmas is right around the corner.
Comments