A successful business owner is only as good as her team who helps run the show. As a solo Esty (that's me, a Licensed Esthetician) I've spent years doing all the ins and outs of my small business. Titles of mine not only included esthetician, skincare specialist, pimple extractor and professional body waxer, but also included receptionist, bookkeeper, tax preparer, social media director, web developer, inventory manager, photographer, appointment scheduler, laundry doer, errand runner, and a million other small tiny tasks. To say I was burning the candle at both ends was an understatement.
I started by outsourcing my social media design and product photography. I hired Annette Lewis in 2019 and this is when my business started to take a turn. Annette is the owner of Bellanet Photography, a Salmon native (her and I went to high school together - Class of 2004!), is a wife and mama and one of the most talented photographers I've ever worked with. All of my social media designs on Instagram and Facebook come from her. I send her my ideas, she puts her artistic spin on them, designs them all, sends them back and I post them. Her and I also schedule regular photo shoots for headshots, product photography and pictures of my shop. Are you an email subscriber to Sweet Cheeks? She sends those too. The thing I love most about Annette is she's always willing to go with the flow and can help me execute my ideas full circle. Plus she has thick skin and doesn't get offended if something doesn't turn out exactly like I had wished. This is so important when working with a graphic designer and photographer and I truly value this about Annette.
I also have an office manager who I rely on heavily to be ME when I am out of town or unavailable. Tera is my right hand girl (she's also my little sister) who fulfills online orders, updates inventory, and communicates efficiently. She also handles all customer service when needed, responding to messages and emails, meeting customers for product pickup, and taking care of home deliveries. It is such a huge relief to be able to not worry about my shop when I need to take time away without feeling like things fall through the cracks, or feeling like orders and messages and demands get severely backed up while I'm gone. Tera runs a tight ship, so if I'm ever unavailable know that you can reach out to her and she'll take great care of you. Plus my baby niece Isabelle is usually in tow and can be found playing makeup and handing out the cutest smiles.
Tia is my assistant, newly hired this Spring. She's a Junior in High School and only 16 but she's been more reliable then I could ever imagined. Tia comes in twice a week to clean, organize, run my laundry across town to and from the shop, make store runs for supplies and sparkling water, bank deposits, and helps with inventory tracking and ordering. She also makes all of the cute skincare sample packs you receive with every order. She's smart, a hard worker, can take direction (this is HUGE), and asks questions when needed which I appreciate a lot. This has been the most recent job title I've outsourced yet probably should have been the first. By being my assistant, Tia has been able to give me so much time back from small tasks where I can use that time to put towards parts of my business that have suffered or have been on the back burner.
I also outsourced other areas in my business like an online booking system, tax preparation as well as hired a laundry service. Relinquishing control was so hard for me. This business is my baby and for a long time I had the mindset that I was the only one on earth who could run it efficiently because I knew every nook and cranny. But eventually I realized in order to grow and expand this business to it's potential, I needed help. The one thing I can say for sure is outsourcing jobs and tasks that I could no longer keep up with has leveled-up my business ten fold.
My advice for any Esthetician, service provider or business owner is to not wait until you're overwhelmed and drowning to outsource jobs and tasks. Start by making a list of all the things you WANT to do in your business, then make a list of all the things you HAVE to do in your business. That's your outsource list. Start with one item and find someone to help you do it, then work your way through it. You'll be amazed at how much better you can give back to your business by having help.
The thing I appreciate about Annette, Tera and Tia is they all see my vision and align well with Sweet Cheeks' values. This is so important. You may find some employees who aren't a great fit but don't let this discourage you. Be choosy, be clear on your expectations, and communicate well.
xo Tiffanie
Betsi LaMoure —
Love reading how you’ve come to be all you are. Thanks for sharing.