This is a subject I wish I would have understood 20 years ago. It’s something I certainly wish I could have told my younger business self. For some reason I thought I had to wear all the hats. Be the visionary, bookkeeper, HR manager, general manager, designer, networker, shipping expert, master of inventory, negotiator, signer of contracts, salesperson, marketing director, janitor (well I never really did that, but was in charge that it got done), writer, event coordinator and on and on. Was I a control freak or just STUPID?
When I started the CRAVE company I reinvented my life and decided to do everything the “opposite” way, starting with outsourcing almost EVERYTHING. I wanted to run my company on my laptop from anywhere in the world so outsourcing was really the only way to go. I now embrace the fact that I am the crazy entrepreneurial visionary. I need to spend most of my time dreaming up the next move or I won’t have a company to run. All the other stuff…bookkeeping, marketing, writing, new team members and sales are ALL outsourced. There are many talented people who do all these things really well, way better than me. Phew that felt good.
I am excited to announce that I’ve finished my book, CRAVING SUCCESS. Another new experience for me. Over the last 18 months I wrote down the stories of the 20+ businesses I have started, with the mistakes made and lessons learned. Now, I admit that writing is not my forte. I can barely speak the English language properly, let alone write in proper grammar. But I couldn’t outsource this one…. or could I? I forced myself to write one chapter a night (around midnight) for awhile then put it away for a few months. It was weighing on me to finish, so I rounded up some girlfriends and talked them into going on a retreat to a beach house for a few days to focus on getting projects done. I did finish that weekend, but in reality that was just the start.
My outsourcing began by reaching out to Sally Reavis, who became my writing/editing guru and co-author. She worked on the manuscript and me for the next 6 months to flesh everything out. Then came design (which I LOVE and always know what I want), but I couldn’t design myself out of a paperbag. My good friend and walking buddy, Bridget Perez from Tray Creative, was excited to design the front cover, and I got one of my fabulous CRAVE designers, Alison Turner, to crank out the interior. My photographer husband pulled all the pictures together and my other designer, Amanda Buzard, turned them into a something cohesive. I was running out of time with the deadline I’d set, so I called the company that prints our CRAVE books and begged for press time and a really good deal for a full color book. I also asked some smart friends to read the manuscript for use-ability, got the copy editor involved, and (finally!) last week we went to print.
I loved every minute of this project and KNOW it takes a team to pull everything off. I love to set crazy deadlines and power through to get it done. The way I figure it…if you don’t have a deadline you will never get it done. If you don’t outsource the stuff you don’t like or are not that good at…you will never get it done.
What do you need to outsource?
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March 8th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
felt as good to read this as i’m sure it did to write it!! congratulations, Melody! Can’t wait to read CRAVING SUCCESS.
March 8th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Melody rocks! I can’t wait to read your new book. You are always an inspiration to me and I love being your friend. Huge congratulations on another success, and a cheers to all the successes that are going to come as a result of your honesty and advice. xoxoxo
March 8th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Sounds so familiar, but I always think that for outsourcing I need a lot of money. How did you that to create the desired leverage?
March 8th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Congratulations Melody! Amazing insights, thanks for sharing. Boy do I relate. I am still working on delegating some of my less-desirable (for me) hats. But you are so right. I am learning the beauty of teams, delegation and letting go of roles that do not fit. It does take practice and a giant leap of faith!
March 8th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
i think i need to outsource everything, as you do!
great post, can’t wait to read the book,
jillian
March 8th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
how do I get the book
March 8th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Hi Jennifer!
You can get the book here :http://thecravecompany.com/cravingsuccess/
March 8th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
I look forward to reading your book and applying it toward my own custom printing small business. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
March 8th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Congratulations, Melody!!!
how exciting!!
March 8th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Way to go Melody! I could never write a book, I know that would have to out-sourced, 4 sho! I just started out-sourcing a little, and I LIKE IT! I want to out-source content writing, but it’s tough to find someone that can write for various types on clients businesses. Can’t wait to read your book, Woot!
March 8th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Wow, as an owner of two food businesses having a really challenging day, I needed to read this! I need to outsource much of what I do, but cash flow is a challenge. Suggestions? I am trying to simplify and focus. Easier said than done.
March 8th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
I want to outsource too but don’t know where to start and don’t have much in the way of funds. Where to start?
March 9th, 2011 at 12:08 am
thank you for your comments. it does take some creativity to outsource when it comes to the money part. sometimes i pay a % to get a job done to help on cash flow. trading services helps too. i usually know i can sell whatever my project is pretty fast, so i take the leap of faith that i can cover my costs by the time they are due.
March 9th, 2011 at 2:20 am
Congratulations Melody! I can’t wait to get my hands on your book.
March 9th, 2011 at 9:59 am
As a designer-maker I know I need to outsource several tasks that I do now. But like some of the ladies above me, I get stuck when it comes to the financial part. I guess part of the answer would have to be that because I’ll have more time for design and production, I can grow my line faster. I think this would be an awesome topic for a future Crave meeting.
March 9th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Melody, you never cease to amaze me. As your outsourced bookkeeper I appreciate your complete faith in me to do my job. I love your super mellow personality and creative spirit since I’m the opposite. Awesome book!
March 10th, 2011 at 1:42 am
laura, our CRAVEchat this month is on this subject. check on the website for your city. sue you are the best bookkeeper in the world. sorry she is not available…
March 10th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
About time miss, what you’ve learned in life about business everybody needs to know. Can’t wait to read it either. Perhaps we should start a Buenos Aires Crave chapter so I can have you come out here and speak!
March 14th, 2011 at 8:20 am
Melody, great post. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. I just started down the outsourcing path, and can already feel the relief it has provided. Payback often happens quickly too.