The Shift From Doing Everything Yourself
One thing we’ve noticed with many growing creative businesses is that eventually there comes a point where doing everything yourself stops being sustainable.
At first, wearing every hat can feel exciting because you’re close to every detail, every decision and every part of what you’re building. But over time, constantly holding everything can also become exhausting.
Many creative entrepreneurs don’t struggle because they aren’t capable. They struggle because they try to carry every part of the business alone for too long.
But we’ve realized delegation is actually a skill and one that gets easier with practice.
Sometimes the goal is not finding someone who will do something exactly the way you would do it. Sometimes the goal is creating enough support that you can spend more time focused on the parts of the business that truly need your creativity, energy and leadership.
We’ve also seen how much culture matters inside small creative businesses. Skills can be taught, but shared values, communication and genuine care for the customer experience shape the feeling of a brand in a much deeper way.
One idea that really stayed with us is the difference between assigning tasks and giving someone ownership. There’s a huge difference between asking someone to “help pack orders” and inviting them to take ownership over the experience a customer has when your product arrives at their door.
People care more deeply when they understand the bigger picture and feel connected to what they’re helping build.
At some point, growth starts asking you to trust other people with parts of the business you once held very tightly and honestly, that can feel both exciting and uncomfortable at the same time.
But often, that’s also where the next chapter of growth begins.
Shannon Lorenz
she/her
Shannon is the founder of SEEK Bespoke Market. She loves creating community and connection, after all that is what the heart of Bespoke is all about. In her free time, you'll find Shannon spending time with her family, enjoying nature and seeking out new adventures.