Balancing work and family while building a business isn’t easy, but it’s a challenge I’ve faced and overcome and continue to juggle. Along the way, I’ve learned that success in business is built on two key pillars: trust and balance. Today, I’m sharing some personal lessons from my journey to help fellow entrepreneurs strike that balance and build trust-based relationships with their clients.
When Business Takes Over: The Struggles of Balance
Running a business comes with many demands, and it’s easy to let work take over everything else. Early on, I was juggling it all—long workdays, training for marathons, taking care of my family, and managing my growing business. I found myself working late nights, running on little sleep, and sacrificing valuable time with my children. It quickly became clear that something had to change.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that pushing yourself to the limit doesn’t lead to success. Instead, it results in burnout, exhaustion, and strained relationships. That’s when I realised I needed help. It was during a keynote speech for a local women’s business networking group—where I was talking about the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant—that I realised I was my own worst nightmare. I was overwhelmed, and I needed to follow my own advice.
The Value of Trust: Finding the Right Team
Trust is at the heart of any successful business relationship. The moment I decided to bring on my first assistant, I knew that I needed someone who shared my values and understood my business vision. Initially, I hired a wonderful assistant, but due to seasonal fluctuations in workload, she left for a full-time position.
Determined to find the right fit, I launched a campaign for a new assistant, but this time I took a different approach. Having worked with HR clients, I’d picked up some tips along the way. I received over 500 applications, but instead of being overwhelmed, I got strategic. I asked candidates to complete a video interview, where they answered fun, thought-provoking questions, such as "If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?"
This approach taught me a lot about who had the right soft skills for the role, and ultimately, I found not one but two incredible assistants. They embodied everything I was looking for: friendly, intelligent, and adaptable. It was a huge step forward for The Outsource Boutique.
Scaling with Trust: The Outsource Boutique’s Growth
As I brought my team on board, the next step was finding a space for us to grow. I secured an office space, knowing that if I built the infrastructure, the clients would come. And they did. Together, we successfully delivered major events, expanded our services, and provided support to our clients in ways I couldn’t have done alone.
The success of our business comes down to trust—trust within our team, and trust from our clients. It’s not just about getting tasks done; it’s about building relationships, understanding clients’ needs, and working collaboratively to help them grow.
Building Client Relationships: Start with a Conversation
At The Outsource Boutique, we believe that every great business relationship starts with a conversation. Many small business owners are unsure where to begin or how we can help them. But once we sit down, get to know them, and understand their needs, that’s when the magic happens.
We’ve helped clients with everything from creating business cards to tidying up websites, and in time, these small tasks grow into long-term partnerships. Our goal is always to build trust with our clients, so they know they can rely on us to help make their impossible, possible.
Conclusion: Trust and Balance are the Keys to Small Business Success
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from running The Outsource Boutique, it’s that balance and trust are crucial to success. Finding that balance between work, life, and business isn’t always easy, but with the right team and strong relationships, it’s absolutely achievable.
At The Outsource Boutique, we’re here to help small businesses not only survive but thrive. Whether you need help with admin tasks, event planning, or simply don’t know where to start, let’s have a conversation. Together, we’ll make your impossible, possible.
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