How I Run My Business in 15 Hours a Week

Ever wonder how some business owners seem to have it all together, managing successful businesses without working around the clock? As a mother to 5 young children, I often get asked how I do it all. The answer is - I don’t. But you better believe I have systems in place to be able to put dedicated time to my family, household and business. I’m here to spill the beans on how I run my business in just 15 hours a week. Yes, you read that right—15 hours! Ready to find out how? Let’s dive in!

1. Prioritize and Plan

The key to working smarter, not harder, is prioritization and planning. Every Sunday evening, I spend an intentional hour planning my week ahead. I list out my top priorities, set achievable goals, and break down tasks into manageable chunks. This way, I hit the ground running every day, knowing exactly what needs to be done.

How do you know what to Prioritize? Good question! This takes some trial and error and some time in business. Besides the obvious urgent tasks that have to get done like client deadlines, I make sure to put my efforts into revenue generating tasks. As a visionary and creative, it can be so easy to have shiny object syndrome and spend my time doing whatever sounds fun in the moment. For my personal business, my revenue generating tasks are sales calls, writing SEO rich blog posts and email marketing. Once you trace where your sales come from, you can start to see a trend and make sure you put your efforts into those areas more.

2. Embrace the Power of Automation

Automation is my best friend. From email marketing to social media posting, I use tools like Convertkit, Calendly, Email templates, Honeybook and Zapier to automate repetitive tasks. This not only saves me hours but also ensures that my business processes are consistent and efficient. Automate what you can, so you can focus on what truly needs your personal touch.

Here are some practical examples of automations I have in my business.

Email Marketing

When someone signs up for my email list with one of my free resources, the convertkit form embedded into my website automatically tags the person that they signed up with that specific freebie (so I can track which one works best later on), sends them the freebie to their inbox and also puts them into a series of emails over the next 8 days that introduces them to me and my business. I also have a 90 day nurture sequence to make sure that even if I don’t send an email for 90 days, they are getting value from me automatically.

Client Inquiries

When someone fills out an inquiry form to work with me, Honeybook will automatically create a profile for them and send them a personalized email and link to my calendar to schedule a call. That way I don’t have to feel like I am tied to my phone or inbox and no leads are getting forgotten about. Even better, if they don’t respond or schedule a call, there is a small series of emails over the next 2 weeks to reach back out to them.

3. Delegate and Outsource

You don’t have to do it all yourself. I delegate tasks that don’t require my expertise and outsource specialized work. Hiring a virtual assistant has been a game-changer, handling customer service, scheduling, and admin tasks. For technical or creative projects, I turn to freelancers. I have a wonderful Junior designer on my team that allows me to act more as the creative director with client work then be in the deep all the time with it. It also allows us to take more client work at a time that I would be able to by myself. This way, I can concentrate on strategic planning and client relationships.

4. Batch Work for Maximum Efficiency

Batch working has significantly boosted my productivity. I group similar tasks together and tackle them in dedicated time blocks. For instance, I write all my blog posts for the month in one sitting. Same for my nurture and sales emails. By focusing on one type of task at a time, I reduce the mental load of switching gears and get more done in less time.

This could even look like saving one or two days of the week for calls only and make sure that all other days are free of calls so you can get a lot of work done without having to switch modes.

5. Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

Setting boundaries is crucial to maintaining a balanced work-life schedule. I’ve learned to say no to projects that don’t align with my goals and to set clear working hours. My 15-hour work week means I’m laser-focused during those hours, avoiding distractions and unnecessary meetings. I put my phone on silent mode and face it down. I know what my list is beforehand and I usually don't have more than 3 tasks to get done in a day. 

Right now with a toddler, I only take a call during his nap time and I usually only take 3 calls a week. Some weeks are heavier than others but my norm is not to have more than 3 a week. I’m usually only working an hour and a half during his nap time and another 1.5 hours after the kids all go to bed before my husband and I hang out.

When you have clear boundaries and know your goals and must-dos, it is amazing what you can get done with consistent small time blocks each day.

6. Leverage Your Website

One of the smartest moves I made was to create a high-converting website that works for me 24/7. With optimized landing pages, clear calls to action, and an integrated booking system, my website handles client inquiries, bookings, and even some sales. This frees up my time to focus on strategic growth and personal interactions. I’m not always having to re-create programs or launch to be making sales. 

By the way, if you are looking for a client-winning website yourself, you can customize one of our DIY templates that are set up to convert, or hire us to do it for you in just 5 days.

7. Continuous Learning and Improvement

Lastly, I invest in continuous learning. Whether it’s through online courses, books, or podcasts, I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills and business processes. This not only keeps me ahead of the curve but also helps me find new efficiencies to incorporate into my workflow.

Making sure that you are staying up-to-date is so crucial in business. There are so many new technologies with not just website design, but for business in general that can save you so much time. If you are unwilling to learn it, you will fall behind.

 Conclusion

Running a business doesn’t have to mean working endless hours. By prioritizing, automating, delegating, batching, setting boundaries, leveraging your website, and continuously learning, you can run a successful business in just 15 hours a week. It’s all about working smarter and creating systems that support your goals.