Being Your Own Overworked Boss

Being your own boss—ah, living the dream! It comes with plenty of perks: you run the show, make the decisions, and have the freedom to do things your way. But now that you're in charge and crushing it, you may start to notice a few downsides. Turns out, your boss might be a little demanding... and, as it turns out, that boss might just be you.

As your own boss, especially when you're the only employee, it's easy to fall into the trap of working overtime and weekends, wondering why you haven’t hired someone to help lighten the load. The truth is, the biggest barrier to growth might be you standing in your own way.

The Problem: Doing It All

Being your own boss doesn't have to mean working ridiculous hours, seven days a week, and filling every role in the company. After working with numerous small business owners, I've noticed a common challenge: control. Now, I'm not suggesting that control issues are part of every small business owner's personality, but they do tend to show up more often than you'd think.

You’ve built your business, earned a good reputation, and your clients expect a certain level of quality—and sometimes, they specifically want you to do the work. Maybe you’ve had negative experiences with coworkers, subordinates, or even bosses in the past, and you’re hesitant to delegate tasks. You might even worry that hiring someone else would create more work for you, not less.

But here's the truth: small business owners often have difficulty delegating. These "worst-case scenario" fears can lead to self-sabotage, where you avoid addressing the issue and exhaust yourself instead. It’s important to recognize that you’re not the only one who can do the job right. If you continue trying to do everything yourself, you're likely to make more mistakes, or worse, have to turn down clients because you’re overwhelmed.

The Cost of Doing It All Yourself

Believe it or not, this is one of the most preventable reasons why small businesses never reach their full potential or even fail. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re stuck in this cycle, it’s time to consider making some changes in order to grow with your business.

The Solution: Get Help

The good news is there are plenty of options. You don’t have to keep doing everything yourself. You can hire a service, work with a self-employed contractor, or even bring someone on temporarily or permanently, depending on your needs.

Services: If you can find a service that suits your needs, it’s often less complicated than hiring an employee. Services can help with a variety of tasks and provide flexibility, without the responsibility of payroll taxes.

Contractors: Hiring a contractor can save you from the hassle of managing employees and dealing with payroll obligations. However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t hire someone as a contractor just to avoid payroll taxes. They must meet the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) criteria to be considered a self-employed contractor and not have an employer/employee relationship with you.

Hiring Employees: If you’re ready to take the leap and hire someone on a temporary or permanent basis, it’s important to know the steps to get started.

Taking the First Step

If you're considering becoming an employer for the first time, or just need advice on how to move forward with hiring, LEVELUP Payroll Solutions can help. We offer free advice on whether hiring is the right decision for you and guide you through the steps of becoming a first-time employer.

You don’t have to go it alone—let us help you find the right solution for your business.