To Outsource or Not to Outsource? When to Hire Support As You're Scaling Your Spiritual Business
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Feeling stretched thin doing everything in your business? You’re not alone. From coaching to content, admin to launches, you’re wearing all the hats… and starting to ask, “Should I really still be doing all of this myself?”
At the start of the year, I put the call out for podcast topic requests and this one came through loud and clear…
When is the right time to outsource and hire team support? And how do you do it well?
It’s a great question – especially if you’re in a season of growth.
You’ve built momentum, income is flowing, and you’re ready to scale – but you’re ALSO completely maxed out, wearing all the hats, and craving more time, more space, and more support.
So let’s talk about what that looks like…
There’s No One “Right Way” To Outsource
The internet is full of advice on outsourcing and hiring – and a lot of it is either overly prescriptive or totally conflicting. Some say hire early. Some say wait. Some say outsource what you hate. Others say focus on ROI. It’s a lot.
But like anything in business, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It all depends on your business model, your income, your capacity, your zone of genius, and your season of life.
So instead of a rulebook, I want to offer you a more intuitive framework to help you decide what’s right for you.
Because while the online space has made it easier than ever to start a business and do it all yourself – that doesn’t mean you always should.
Why Doing It All Isn’t The Best Strategy
Let’s be honest – when you’re just starting out, doing it all yourself is often necessary. You’re scrappy, resourceful, learning as you go. That’s part of the journey.
And it works… until it doesn’t.
I know this firsthand. For the first four years of my business, I did it all – candles, reiki, coaching, launches, admin, marketing… the whole shebang.
But everything changed after I had my first baby. Suddenly, I couldn’t do it all — and truthfully, I’d probably been at that point for a while.
That’s when I hired my first team member — a wonderful VA who is now my content manager and still with me today: the amazing Tahryn Bolt from The Social Bolt.
And from that point on, things began to shift. I was able to scale my income, create more ease in my business, and have the time to be the mum I wanted to be.
When to DIY
There is nothing wrong with doing things yourself –especially if:
You genuinely enjoy the task
You’re good at it
You don’t yet have the budget to outsource
If you’re still in the early stages or you’re intentionally keeping things lean, that’s smart business – not a failure.
There’s a myth floating around online that success = a big flashy team. But the truth is, many successful businesses run with small, lean, highly intentional teams.
The key is being clear about why you’re doing it yourself – and knowing when it’s time to evolve.
When To Outsource
Outsourcing is often your first step towards building a team. This might look like:
Hiring a copywriter for your sales page
Bringing in a designer for your branding
Working with a tech VA to build your website
These are usually one-off projects with a clear scope and timeline. They free you up to focus on your strengths, without needing to manage someone day-to-day.
Then there’s ongoing support — and this is where true scalability kicks in. Think:
A virtual assistant helping with admin or client comms
A content manager supporting your marketing
A bookkeeper managing your finances
A podcast editor producing your episodes
They might still be contractors, but they’re regularly involved in your business. They become part of your rhythm, your team, your vision.
Signs It’s Time To Get Support
So how do you know when it’s time to bring someone on? There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but here are a few signs it might be time to bring in support:
You’re spending hours every week on repetitive tasks that don’t light you up
You’re stuck in the weeds, doing “busy work” instead of growth-driving activities
You’ve hit a ceiling — and don’t have the space to focus on what will move the needle
You’re overwhelmed, burnt out, or your business can’t run without you
And maybe the most common one? You’ve become the bottleneck in your own business.
If that’s you – I want you to know, this is such a normal part of growth. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. In fact, it usually means you’ve done a lot right.
But the next phase usually requires a mindset shift – from “How can I keep doing this all myself?” to “Who can help me grow?”
What To Outsource First
This is where many people get stuck, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start with the tasks that:
Drain your energy
You constantly put off
Sit outside your zone of genius
Don’t directly generate income
That’s why common first hires are often:
A virtual assistant for admin, inbox and scheduling
A bookkeeper to manage finances
A content manager or social media support
When I hired Tahryn, the first thing we did was document processes, set up systems, and create SOPs. Getting everything out of my brain and into one shared space gave me so much mental space – and made it easier to hand things over in a scalable way.
Set Yourself (and Your Team) Up for Success
Here’s the truth: hiring someone won’t magically solve everything. Bringing on a team member requires you to step up as a leader.
Before you bring someone on, make sure you have:
Systems and processes (or a willingness to create them): Without that, your new hire will be left guessing or constantly asking questions, which isn’t supportive for either of you.
A way to communicate and check in regularly: With my team, we use Slack for communication and Asana for project management.
Clear expectations for their role and responsibilities: So many business owners say they want help, but then don’t give their team the clarity they need to succeed. When you’re clear on what’s expected and how you’ll work together – you won’t be micromanaging, and they won’t be constantly guessing. That’s where trust and real support is built.
Don’t Forget The Vibe Check
As a soul-led, intuitive business owner, the vibe seriously matters.
Skills and experience are important — but so is energy. You need to trust this person, communicate easily, and feel aligned.
Ask yourself:
Do our values align?
Do I trust them?
Do I feel excited to work with them?
Trust your intuition. Do a vibe check. Because in our industry, alignment is everything.
Scaling with Support, Not Stress
Remember: Just because you can do it all yourself, doesn’t mean you should.
You don’t need to hire a huge team overnight. Start small. Start intentionally. Start with the support that will help you stay grounded, creative and focused on the work that truly moves your business forward.
