Growing Pains: When Should Your Business Outsource vs. Keep In-House to Scale your Brand

As a small business owner in the fashion or beauty industry, you’re likely wearing many hats—marketer, product developer, customer service rep, and more. Watching every new order come in and numbers increase every month, it’s exciting to see your brand grow, but as your business expands, you might find yourself at a crossroads: Should you handle everything yourself, or is it time to bring in some outside help? Let’s break down the pros and cons of outsourcing versus keeping tasks in-house, and explore when it makes sense to invest in professional services—like marketing, social meadia or photography.

The Allure of Keeping Things In-House

Staying hands-on with your business has its perks. You have complete control over every aspect of your brand, from your marketing messages to your customer interactions. Plus, handling things yourself often feels more personal, which is crucial in the beauty industry where connection and authenticity matter.

However, as your brand scales, the workload can become overwhelming. Juggling multiple roles might lead to burnout, and in the long run, it can stifle your creativity. You might find yourself cutting corners or sacrificing quality to keep up with demand, which isn’t ideal when your brand’s reputation is at stake. Delegation is hard but a skill worth learning if you truly hope for your brand to grow and become more sustainable - after all, burnout is still real!

The Case for Outsourcing

Outsourcing certain tasks can free up your time and energy, allowing you to focus on what you do best—creating amazing products and connecting with your customers. Here are a few areas where outsourcing might be beneficial:

• Marketing: Professional marketers have the expertise to craft compelling campaigns that resonate with your target audience. Look at Glossier, which initially leveraged its beauty blog to build a community before scaling to a billion-dollar brand. By investing in professional marketing, they effectively connected with their audience and amplified their reach.

• Social Media Management: Keeping up with social media can be a full-time job! Huda Beauty is a prime example of a brand that successfully utilises social media to engage with customers. By outsourcing social media management, you can maintain a strong online presence while focusing on other aspects of your business.

• Photography: This is where I can come in and support your vision! High-quality images are essential for showcasing your products in the best light, especially in fashion and beauty industries where visuals are everything. While authenticity is still king, polished product images help create a cohesive brand identity, and investing in professional photography can elevate your brand’s image and make your products more appealing.

  
  

Knowing When It’s Time to Outsource

So, how do you know when it’s time to bring in a professional? Here are a few signs:

• Growing Pains: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your workload or missing deadlines, it’s a clear sign that you might benefit from some help. Last thing you want is see your hard work - your baby! - suffer due to the very real threat of burnout.

• Declining Quality: If you’ve noticed a dip in the quality of your marketing materials or product images, it might be time to bring in a pro to ensure your brand remains polished and professional.

• New Opportunities: If you have the chance to collaborate with influencers or retailers, having high-quality visuals can make a significant difference in securing those opportunities.

• Lack of Expertise: If you’re not confident in your marketing, admin or photography skills, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Professionals have the knowledge and tools to help your brand shine.

Embrace Collaboration for Growth

Remember, outsourcing doesn’t mean you’re giving up control; it’s about building a supportive network around your brand, your very own brand guardians, who see your vision and want to help you make it happen. By collaborating with experts, you can enhance your offerings and create a stronger foundation for future growth.

As you consider your next steps, think about how professional photography can elevate your brand’s visuals. Capturing your products in the best light not only attracts customers but also communicates the quality and care behind your brand.

Ready to Scale?

If you’re ready to take that next step and explore how professional photography can make a difference for your brand, I’m here to help. You’re not alone on this journey—I’m here to support you bring your vision to life! Reach out to VG Portraits , London-based commercial photographer, and let's make magic happen.