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What to Do When You Have More Time Than Money in Your Business
One maker’s real-life decision filter for outsourcing, inventory, and staying sane
At some point, every ecommerce store owner hits the same wall:
“I know I need to get help… but can I afford it?”
And even if you technically can afford it, there’s another question right behind that one:
“Is this really the right thing to spend money on right now?”
In this week’s podcast episode, we got into it with Inner Circle member and ceramics artist, Sara Scheuermann of Steeped Slow. She’s a full-time maker who’s building a business intentionally—without burnout, without hustle, and with just 40 hours a week.
So when she posted in the Inner Circle asking if she should start outsourcing some of the tech and bookkeeping tasks in her business, we decided to talk it out. Because she’s not the only one wondering.
If you’re wrestling with time vs. money trade-offs in your own business, this episode will help you make clearer, faster decisions—without spinning in circles for weeks.
From UX Designer to Full-Time Potter—with 40 Hours and a Kiln
Sara left a long career in UX to pursue her passion: functional, handmade ceramics. After navigating COVID, market cancellations, and a return to her old job, she’s now back in the business full-time and building with intention.
“I’m a slow-made business and I’m leaning into this idea of a slow lifestyle… I did not wanna hustle and grind for this.”
She’s doing it all: designing, making, glazing, firing, shipping, listing, and yes—trying to figure out her email automations and bookkeeping.
Sound familiar?
The Question That Sparked It All
Here’s what Sara posted in the Inner Circle:
“When do you know you’re ready to outsource? My two focuses right now are getting the tech set up for Reliable Revenue and getting my bookkeeping set up properly. Both are big lifts on my brain and well outside my zone of genius.”
The problem with DIY’ing all of that is that only has so many hours in a day – if she’s bookkeeping, she’s not making more inventory for the sales that will (allegedly) start rolling in.
That’s when we decided it was time to help Sara (and everyone else listening) create a clear filter for making these decisions.
The Decision Filter: 5 Questions to Use When You’re Stuck
When you’re trying to decide whether to outsource or DIY, use these five questions to break out of the spin:\
What does the business need right now?
→ For Sara: More inventory to hit her sales goals.
Are there roadblocks to fulfilling that need?
→ Yes. She’s the only one who can make the product, and time is limited.
Does doing this task herself bring more value than creating inventory?
→ Not really. Tech setup is one-time, but inventory drives sales.
Is this task recurring or one-and-done?
→ The tech was a one-time setup—perfect for outsourcing.
What does it actually cost to outsource?
→ Don’t guess. Find out. “Instead of letting it swirl in your head, figure out the outcome you want, and go get a price.”
Once you know what the task will cost, ask: How many sales would it take to pay for that?
And then, instead of hoping sales come in, make a plan to get them.
When Outsourcing Didn’t Make Sense
Tech was easy to hand off. But bookkeeping felt different.
Sara looked into hiring a bookkeeper and found it would cost around $300/month. But she didn’t feel ready to hand it off—not because of the money, but because she didn’t understand the process well enough to manage it.
“I didn’t even know what I needed to ask for somebody to do my books.”
She wasn’t just overwhelmed—she was unsure. And that’s where most of us get stuck. But instead of staying there, Sara got proactive.
She posted in the Inner Circle, got recommendations, and ended up buying spreadsheets and templates from Paper and Spark—specifically made for handmade business owners.
“Now when I go to outsource this to someone in a couple years, I can tell them what to track, what to show me. I can be the boss that knows what I want.”
Oh—and the $300/month she would have spent? She’s paying it to herself now instead.
The Inventory Problem—and the Realization That Changed Everything
Sara’s shop was full of sold-out listings. And while that’s flattering on the surface, it’s not a sales strategy.
She told me it takes about six weeks to make a batch of product. So if she wants to restock and be ready for the holidays, that clock needs to start now.
And here’s the big shift:
“I thought I had more time than money. But when I looked at it, I actually have no time.”
She’s the only one who can make the inventory. Which means her time is actually more valuable than anything else in her business. The more time she spends learning tech or messing with bookkeeping, the less she earns—because she has fewer products to sell.
The Simple Sales Strategy That Helped Her Decide
We talked through the importance of keeping bestsellers in stock—and eliminating the ones that don’t move.
“All products are not created equally, and they don’t sell at the same rate.”
Instead of trying to make everything, all the time, Sara now has a strategy:
- Identify her top 10 products by revenue.
- Keep those in stock as consistently as possible.
- Discontinue the bottom 20.
- Streamline listings, photography, and production.
- Use limited-edition pieces to fuel creativity and reward VIPs.
She’s also creating a private “vault” page on her website for those one-of-a-kind or retired pieces, where collectors can shop first.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Hustle—It’s About Clarity
“I feel confident in my business. I feel proud of myself for where it’s come, and it feels… real.”
That was Sara’s vision for her business on New Year’s Day 2026. Not a 24/7 hustle machine, not a chaotic mess of tasks, but a business that works—on her terms.
If you’ve ever felt torn between spending time to save money—or spending money to save time—use this decision filter:
- What does the business need now?
- What’s standing in the way?
- What’s the real cost of doing this yourself vs. outsourcing?
- Is it recurring or one-time?
- How will you fund it?
Then, make a plan. Sell a few extra pieces. Focus your energy. And buy back your time.
“It’s almost like a bartering system… how many products do I need to make to outsource this?”
Such a great question. And one you get to answer however works best for you.
RELATED LINKS:
Sara’s Shop: steapedslow.com
Bookkeeping tools: Paper & Spark
Ditch your decision fatigue. I’m giving you my framework
The Path To A Full-Time Paycheck From Your Business
https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/the-path-to-a-full-time-pay-check-from-your-business-episode-220/
