When to Outsource, Delegate, or DIY (So You Don’t Break)

One of the biggest myths in entrepreneurship is that doing everything yourself is a badge of honour. In reality? It’s usually a fast track to burnout… and resentment… and wondering why you thought this was a good idea in the first place.

When you’re building a business—especially a creative one—it’s normal to start out wearing every hat. But there comes a point where doing all the things starts costing you more than it saves you. The real skill isn’t doing everything yourself; it’s knowing what to keep, what to hand off, and when to do it.

The DIY Phase (And Why It’s Not a Failure)

In the early stages of your business, DIY is often unavoidable—and that’s okay.

You’re learning:

• How your business actually runs

• What tasks take the most time and energy

• What you enjoy doing (and what you absolutely do not)

DIY gives you clarity. It helps you understand your workflow, your standards, and your priorities. The problem isn’t DIY—it’s staying there too long.

DIY works when:

• You’re testing an idea or service

• The task is low-risk and low-cost

• Learning the skill benefits you long-term

DIY becomes a problem when:

• Tasks pile up faster than you can finish them

• You’re constantly working in the business instead of on it

• Your creative or strategic work gets pushed to nights and weekends

When It’s Time to Delegate

Delegation doesn’t mean you’re “bad at business.” It means your business is growing.

Delegating is often the first real step into sustainability. It allows you to free up mental space and focus on the work that actually moves the needle.

Good candidates for delegation:

• Admin tasks (email sorting, scheduling, invoicing)

• Social media posting or basic content formatting

• Bookkeeping and expense tracking

• Client onboarding or follow-up emails

✨ Sketgo tip: Start small. Even 5 hours a week of support can change your entire week. This is where I started and over a year, I was able to grow the admin position to a full-time position!

When to Outsource (And Why It’s Different)

Outsourcing is about bringing in specialized expertise—not just extra hands.

You outsource when:

• The task is outside your skill set

• Mistakes would be costly or risky

• The learning curve isn’t worth your time

Common areas to outsource:

• Accounting and taxes

• Legal contracts and compliance

• Website development or advanced branding

• Grant writing (yes, this one really matters)

Outsourcing doesn’t mean losing control—it means making strategic decisions that protect your business and your energy.

A Brief Case Study: Outsourcing Marketing to a Chihuahua

Now, full transparency: I outsource some of my marketing to Nori—my one-year-old chihuahua puppy.

She’s endlessly cute. Her brand presence is strong. Engagement is excellent.

Honestly? She pulls numbers I could only dream of.

That said… her work ethic leaves something to be desired.

She refuses to meet deadlines. Takes frequent naps. Offers zero strategic insight.

And despite repeated coaching, she will not learn Canva.

Still, she reminds me of an important lesson: outsourcing doesn’t always mean perfection—it means leverage.Sometimes the value is visibility. Sometimes it’s joy. Sometimes it’s just letting something be easy.

(That said, I do not recommend chihuahuas for bookkeeping.)

The Emotional Side of Letting Go

Here’s the part no one talks about enough: letting go can be uncomfortable.

You might think:

• “No one will do it as well as I do.”

• “I should be able to handle this myself.”

• “What if I’m not ready yet?”

These thoughts are incredibly common—and they’re not a moral failing. But they can keep you stuck.

Delegation and outsourcing aren’t about perfection. They’re about sustainability.

A Simple Decision Framework

When you’re unsure whether to DIY, delegate, or outsource, ask yourself:

1. Does this task require my specific expertise?

2. Is this the best use of my time right now?

3. What would it cost me—in energy, time, or missed opportunities—to keep doing this myself?

Your answers will usually tell you what needs to change.

Wrapping It Up

You don’t need to do everything to be successful. In fact, trying to do everything is often what holds entrepreneurs back.

Knowing when to DIY, when to delegate, and when to outsource is a skill—and it’s one that grows with your business. Build support intentionally, pace yourself, and remember: even if your cutest team member has questionable reliability, you don’t have to carry everything alone.

✨ Need help figuring out what to keep, what to hand off, and how to build support systems that actually work? Book a call with Sketgo. We’ll help you design a business structure that supports your growth—without burning you out (or relying on a chihuahua for payroll).