How to Delegate When You’re Running a One-Person Show
Who am I supposed to delegate to...Hudson?
Studio Notes
Updates: What’s going on with my different ventures…
A Timely Tool: I’ve partnered with my friend Donna, an operations expert, who helps small business owners step into their CEO role. She’s created a resource that makes delegation simple and approachable, even if you’ve never outsourced before. It’s called Delegate Like a Pro, and right now you can grab it for just $5.
Inside, you’ll learn:
How to decide what to delegate so you can focus on your best work
How to delegate effectively without worrying about things slipping through the cracks
How to set up your business so you’re not the bottleneck anymore
My favorite things
Love this fun and affordable film-style camera! My friend had one and I️ had to get it for Portugal. This could be a fun Christmas gift for a creative or kids that are creative but don’t have IPhones!
My friend Kristin launched this AMAZING online frame shop. I️ will be purchasing! PS use code: SCOUTED25 (for 25% off the order)
Fun fall boot!
A perfect sweater!
Recently started taking a multi-vitamin. Really love these, but I’m no doctor haha.
Need it to cool off so I️ can wear these!
This Substack contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase—thank you for your support!
Good morning creatives,
Let’s start with a moment of honesty: sometimes running an art business feels like starring in a one-woman Broadway show and doing the lighting, sound, ticketing, and concessions yourself.
You’re the artist, the accountant, the marketer, the customer service rep, the packager, and on a good day, the janitor. You’re running a full operation… from your studio, kitchen table, or in my case, a half put together office that currently doubles as a shipping center and podcast studio.
So when people say, “You just need to delegate,” you probably think: To who? Hudson?
He’s loyal, yes, but my lab has yet to master bubble wrapping artwork (though he’s very skilled at walking across it mid-packaging).
But here’s the thing: I’ve learned that delegation isn’t just about hiring people. It’s about creating systems, tools, and rhythms that give you time back so you can actually do the creative work you started all this for.
Even if you’re running a one-person show, you can still learn to delegate. You just have to redefine what it means.
Step 1: Redefine Delegation (Because It’s Not Just for Big Companies)
When we think of delegation, we picture a corner office and an assistant named Donna who “handles the details.” (yes, that’s a “Suits” reference)
But for us? Delegation looks different.
It’s:
Scheduling your posts instead of manually uploading them.
Letting ChatGPT help generate post ideas so you’re crafting, writing, and editing instead of staring at a blank page.
Creating a template for your emails instead of rewriting them 47 times.
Drafting a form for your commissions so you aren’t individually going back and forth with every client 84 times.
You’re not lazy for wanting help. You’re smart for wanting leverage.
I delegate to tools constantly, my Google Drive for systems, QuickBooks for invoices, and ChatGPT for everything from content proofreading to idea lists. These aren’t just apps. They’re my invisible team.
Step 2: Delegate Emotionally (A Harder Pill to Swallow)
This one took me a while to learn.
As artists, we care. We pour ourselves into every decision, every caption, every customer email. That’s part of what makes us good at what we do but it’s also why we burn out.
If you catch yourself thinking:
“If I don’t do it, it won’t be done right.”
“It’s faster if I just do it myself.”
“I can’t afford to outsource yet.”
You’re not being resourceful. You’re being a perfectionist.
And perfectionism is just control in a cute outfit.
Letting go, whether that means trusting a tool, a template, or a person, doesn’t mean you’re losing quality. It means you’re making space for better work.
Step 3: Delegate Strategically (Where It Actually Moves the Needle)
If you are going to outsource (even in the smallest way) start where it’ll save you the most mental energy.
For me, that looked like:
Hiring someone to help with social media, organization, communicatoin, sanity lol (shoutout Lorin).
Scheduling Pinterest pins and Instagram posts so I wasn’t in my phone 24/7.
Paying for apps like ManyChat and others that take things off of my plate without losing quality.
Paid subs, you get my full list if you keep reading…
You don’t have to hand off your entire business. Just the 10% that’s stealing 90% of your energy.
Think of it like cleaning out your mental closet. You don’t need to toss everything—just the stuff that doesn’t fit anymore.
Step 4: Delegate to Future You
This might sound silly, but one of the most helpful forms of delegation is setting yourself up for success later.
Every time you do something repetitive, like write a thank-you email, prep a launch, or send a commission update, take 60 seconds to document the process.
That list becomes your first “operations manual.”
It’s not glamorous, but when you do eventually hire help (or even just want to move faster next time), it’ll be like passing the baton to your future self.
You’re creating a system that lets you scale without losing your sanity.
Step 5: Rest Is Delegation
This is my favorite one…and probably the hardest.
When you rest, you’re delegating to time. You’re saying, “I trust that everything doesn’t crumble when I’m not actively pushing it forward.”
The reality is: not every hour needs to be optimized. Some need to be protected.
And that’s the thing nobody tells you, rest is part of the creative process. It’s where ideas actually come from. It’s where intuition catches up.
So if you’re feeling guilty for taking a break, reframe it: you’re delegating to your subconscious.
You’re letting your next big idea marinate.
Keep reading for everything I️ personally delegate to do it all and get to bed by 9pm every night. (Yes, that’s not an exaggeration, sorry I️ love my sleep!)
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