Hit my capacity ceiling as a solo operator — when did you know it was time to hire?

Question

I'm at 99 clients running completely solo, working until midnight most days, and I recently had a hire fall through. I've realized my problem isn't marketing or sales anymore — it's that I've hit the ceiling of what one person can physically deliver. For those who've made the jump: how did you know it was actually time, and how did you find someone reliable in this industry? The hiring failure stung and I'm wary of trying again mid-season, but I also can't keep running at midnight-every-night pace.

pestfreecanada · Answer

Man, finding the right person is the biggest nightmare. I don't believe you're ever going to find the right person but someone who is on time, reliable, honest and trustworthy is the key. The rest of the stuff you can usually teach them. Keep your eyes open for clients kids, friends, neighbours and make an honest posting on job websites.

I knew it was time for me to hire when I found myself doing things that someone else could do, while I am doing other more valuable and technical jobs. Someone I could trust to show up, communicate and do the stuff that I could teach them. I could handle the quotes and tougher jobs, but the straightforward work anyone could handle.

Only you know when it's time. You may fail and choose the wrong person but you'll learn from it.

anthonysalazar · Answer

It's time to hire when things start falling through the cracks because of lack of labor, when you can't follow up on new leads or estimates in a timely manner and when you're not accepting new business because you have no more room on your schedule. It's scary to onboard new people and you will go through a lot of bad hires to find one good person but there's only so much you can grow white knuckling your way through the season.

trnitta · Answer

This is the way I have done it as well when I hit my limit as a one-man team. If I need skilled labor help, I will hire on temporarily per project and issue a 1099 at the end of the year. If I need unskilled labor help, I have a few kids in my neighborhood who are coming into their teenage years. I pay them cash at the end of each day to do basic tasks. The parents and kids are all usually very happy with cash at the end of the day. Some of the kids even show interest in learning a trade, in which case I usually help them prepare for an apprenticeship program with the trade union of their choice. I have had a few continue to work with me during their program. After earning their journeyman, I may push them to continue their career with larger companies to gain more experience than what I can offer.

All in all, there is usually a probationary period when hiring new workers. That is the time for you both to get to know each other and gauge whether or not this is a good fit. Best of luck.

troywruck · Answer

There are literally thousands of us out there that are on time, reliable, honest and trustworthy.&nbsp; The key is finding those that don't want to do sales, marketing, customer service and endless communications and are happy to be an employee which, really, are most people. That's the really hard part of running a business....not the work on the tools.&nbsp; But it's also critical not to expect an employee to act like a businss owner.&nbsp; They don't have the same skin in the game and don't benefit the way an ownre does if all goes wll.&nbsp; For those you do find, treat them well... pay them well.... and give them lots of flexibility and you'll be able to maintain a good working relationship.

sirmatthew72 · Answer

Let’s SCATS!! most times we know the answer to the question before we ask it out loud! Independency is absolutely wonderful but the fact that a matter is when you’re down no matter the reason:sick ,happy ,mad Tried,or on vacation and you don’t have systems in place then you’re out of business until you get back to work.

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Hit my capacity ceiling as a solo operator — when did you know it was time to hire?

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