Multi-tasking is something that most people have to do at work. Those who start their own companies quickly find they have an even bigger juggling act.
p
Many brand-new entrepreneurs try to do it all: finding new customers, doing the work when they land an account, sending invoices, keeping the books, dealing with high-tech problems.
p
Building a new company can be exhilarating, but doing it all yourself can be overwhelming and that can lead to burnout. It may end up hurting rather than helping the business.
p
People who have started companies usually find ways to get the work done. Often, though, it means getting some help.
p
subhead
Should You DIY? Or Get Some Help?
/subhead
p
Many entrepreneurs try to do everything themselves at the start simply because they can’t afford to pay someone else to help them. Others believe they can and should do it all. And many can, until they get so much work that it’s impossible to keep juggling. Or, when they realize their time needs to be focused on building the business, not on administrative tasks.
p
Jason Brown juggled everything when he started PublicCity PR, a Beverly Hills, Mich.-based public relations firm, in 2008. But as the company grew, he was spending more time on administrative chores, and that took away from finding and working for clients.
p
His first solution was to hire a part-time bookkeeper to handle invoices and the company’s books. Then, as he became more successful, he took on a full-time staffer to help with clients. He also enlisted the help of an accounting firm.
p
This has made it easier for Brown to focus on clients. You don’t want to get bogged down and have them wait three days for you to call them back, he said.
p
Craig Clark said at first he could manage to do everything himself, but not if he wanted his business,…