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Why The One-Hat Woman Always Wins

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.
Written Jun 21, 2011, read 4269 times since then.
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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?

Startup Junkie Seattle, Washington Melody Biringer

Melody Biringer is an unabashed start-up junkie. Her current entrepreneurial love-child is the CRAVE company, connecting women business owners with the people and resources they need to boost their businesses.

Check out this published work by Melody Biringer
Craving Success

Craving Success

By:

Published by: The CRAVE Company
ISBN: 978-0-9832047-2-5
Amazon: $19.95

Purchase now »

CRAVING SUCCESS

Learn more about the author, Melody Biringer.

Comment on this article

  • Marketing Executive Batesville, Indiana Jana Backofen
    Posted by Jana Backofen, Batesville, Indiana | Jul 11, 2011

    Excellent article on the brilliance of outsourcing!

  • Certified Public Accountant Seattle, Washington Laura Dodson, CPA
    Posted by Laura Dodson, CPA, Seattle, Washington | Jul 23, 2011

    This is something that I wish people would buy into more.

    When we are younger we are taught to be the perfect hostess. Plan, execute, and be the janitor afterwords. All while wearing a smile, 3 inch heels and a cute polka dot dress. :)

    Running a business about leverage and making things happen, but NOT actually DOING everything. If you don't outsource or have employees that you trust, you have just created another job for yourself.

    Tax Preparation and QuickBooks Training
  • Startup Junkie Seattle, Washington Melody Biringer
    Posted by Melody Biringer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 24, 2011

    agreed laura

    CRAVING SUCCESS
  • Professional Bookkeeper Englishtown, New Jersey Josephine Licata
    Posted by Josephine Licata, Englishtown, New Jersey | Jul 27, 2011

    Excellent article! Congratulations on the book!

  • Photographer Seattle, Washington Barbie Hull
    Posted by Barbie Hull, Seattle, Washington | Jul 28, 2011

    This is a great advice!! Focus on what you do best & let others do the same, you will be sure to be successful!

  • president/co-founder MEDBASICS new york, New York tara summers-hermann
    Posted by tara summers-hermann, new york, New York | Jul 28, 2011

    Thank you for this article, such a good reminder to focus on my strengths and be gentle with myself for my "weakness" (then find someone else to help!) I love, love the weekend retreat with girlfriends idea to finish projects. Thanks for sharing and I wish you great fun and success! Looking forward to reading your book. Tara, another crazy entrepreneurial visionary :)

  • CEO Gurnee, Illinois Nancy Rose
    Posted by Nancy Rose, Gurnee, Illinois | Jul 28, 2011

    I love the idea of just writing one section each day and leaving it alone for awhile, and then getting a group to help you finish it. I agree that you need to outsource so you can focus on what your passion is.

  • Local Living Expert & Cooperative Culture Maven Seattle, Washington Briana Barrett (soon-to-be-Squirrel)
    Posted by Briana Barrett (soon-to-be-..., Seattle, Washington | Jul 29, 2011

    Just what I needed to hear, as 'my' hats have only just started to fly - some hit the fan, others landed on enthusiastic heads! - Thanks!

  • Business Owner Seattle, Washington Heather Carder
    Posted by Heather Carder, Seattle, Washington | Jul 30, 2011

    Great article, Melanie - I figured a book was not too far in the future for you, you have a ton of experience to teach others....can't wait to read it!

  • CEO Blairsville, Georgia Elizabeth Dyer
    Posted by Elizabeth Dyer, Blairsville, Georgia | Aug 01, 2011

    Congrats on the new book.

    This is something I struggle with myself. I am working to find my focus and get myself in gear. No more trying to do everything....thanks for the great reminder!

  • Soap Engineer Antioch, California Carla Brooks
    Posted by Carla Brooks, Antioch, California | Aug 07, 2011

    I just attended a Conference and that was actually one of the topics, you actually do a better job at what you're truly doing if you can delegate or outsource the things that need to be done but sort of clutter things up. Thanks for the post!

  • Startup Junkie Seattle, Washington Melody Biringer
    Posted by Melody Biringer, Seattle, Washington | Aug 07, 2011

    thank you all for your comments.

    CRAVING SUCCESS
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