How do early stage founders manage non core work without a team?
I’ve been chatting with other early stage builders and one theme keeps popping up is that there’s so much important but not core work that needs doing (things like ops, research, content, or lead gen) and it all adds up fast when you’re solo.
And hiring help early on isn’t always possible (budget, trust, speed), trying to do it all yourself can be draining and distracting from core product work.
Curious how others are navigating this phase:
• Are you using freelancers? Automation tools? Just doing less?
• How do you keep focus without letting secondary things pile up?
• Any creative approaches to getting non-core work done?
Would love to hear how you’re handling this, would be helpful to learn from each other’s scrappy solutions.
Replies
Extremely relevant question.
Front loading Notion and Loom SOP documentation has been a HUGE unlock for me.
Any time I notice a repetitive task that I shouldn't be doing, I make time to build out a thoughtful delegation process. This is a lot of work, but it feels good to do it because you will literally get back every single hour you put into creating the documentation.
The hours you would have spent doing the task in the future are now done by a VA, and those hours are now yours for more impactful work.
Side note - Loom is one of the best SaaS tools I've ever used. They could quadruple the price and I wouldn't blink.
WebCurate.co
Honestly, as a small business with a tight budget and not many team members, using automation tools or hiring freelancers can get really expensive. That’s why I usually try to do most of the work myself. Even if I’m not great at something, I’ll take the time to learn it so I can save money. This way of doing things helps keep costs low and makes it easier for the business to grow over time.
SlashPage
I'm not doing most of the things I should be doing that aren't core but are important. When I can't get it out of my head, I make a list, sort it by priority, and cross things off the checklist.
Great question, Lina! As an early-stage founder myself, I totally relate to the challenge of juggling non-core tasks alongside building the product. Here’s what’s worked for me and some others I know:
1. Prioritize ruthlessly: I make a clear distinction between what truly moves the product forward vs. what can wait or be simplified. This helps keep the focus on core work without ignoring important secondary tasks.
2. Leverage freelancers selectively: For specialized tasks like content writing or research, I use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to get quick help without long-term commitments. Clear briefs and deadlines are key to making this efficient.
3. Automate repetitive work: Tools like Zapier, Notion templates, or email automation help cut down manual overhead, especially for lead gen and outreach.
4. Batch and schedule: I block specific times during the week just for non-core tasks, so they don’t bleed into product development time.
5. Community & barter: Sometimes I exchange skills or small favors with other founders or freelancers to get things done without hefty costs.
It’s definitely a balancing act and evolves as you grow, but being intentional about what to delegate, automate, or defer can make a huge difference. Would love to hear others’ tips too!
Delegate to your team: Checklists and SOPs
To-dos and Calendar Management for yourself