The One System that Saved Me $5,760 + 325 hours & Helped Create Multiple Six-Figures
When you first start a business, it’s normal to piece things together, use free tools and systems, and figure it all out as you go.
When I started my first business, Underexposed® Photography, I was very much flying by the seat of my pants. A few years into it, that quickly turned into chaos.
Seriously, I’m talking a Dr. Seuss kind of contraption doing 800 things at once, while standing on one leg, balancing things on my head, trying to not have it all come crashing down around me… at least, that’s how it felt.
Here’s what my business looked like.
How Duct-Taped Systems Cost Me
Like I mentioned, I was using multiple free-plan systems and tools to run my business — hence the duct-taped reference.
Whether or not I made money in my business relied on the process of sending proposals for photoshoots — getting information to potential clients and giving them next steps to get started (and pay me).
To get started with a new client, I needed to…
Chat via email or phone call with a potential client
Book the date and time through my calendar in Acuity
Send a contract through HelloSign
Send an invoice through PayPal
Send a questionnaire through Typeform
Update my bookkeeping in Quickbooks (not to mention my own Excel spreadsheet)
And that’s just the proposal process — that doesn’t even include the actual photoshoot and delivering their photos! Not to mention, there were always a few leads that never actually turned into paying clients.
So, let’s look at the numbers…
System Costs
The Numbers:
Acuity: $16 p/mo ($192 annually)
HelloSign: $25 p/mo ($300 annually)
PayPal: Free Plan
Typeform: $25 p/mo ($300 annually)
Quickbooks: $30 p/mo ($360 annually)
= $1,152 per year
Because this was during the first 5 years in my business, let’s multiply that times 5 years:
$1,152 per year X 5 years
= $5,760 SYSTEM COSTS SAVED
Time Costs
Plus, it literally took me OVER AN HOUR to complete all six steps above to book a shoot. (This doesn’t include the time I spend actually doing the session, editing, and delivering the photos to my client).
Back then, I averaged about 65 shoots per year:
65 hours X 5 years
= 325 HOURS SAVED
One System Saved Me $5,760 + 325 Hours
When you’re just getting started in business, starting with free tools and multiple ducted-taped systems is normal.
BUT, there comes a time when that duct-taped mess become VERY costly and quickly stagnates your growth.
Not to mention, why so many new businesses fail within their first five years…
Which is why I KNEW I had to simplify and streamline my business before it was too late. I had to find a better system.
At first, I didn’t really know what was out there. So, I began researching, comparing, and falling down the rabbit hole. “Systems for small business owners.” “Best CRMs.” “Business systems that offer contracts, invoicing, and client information.” The list goes on…
Until, I learned about 17hats.
This single system did EVERYTHING I needed it to!
Houses client and project information
Links with payment processing to provide full online invoicing
Offers easy sending and e-signing for contracts
Creates professional and customizable proposals
Custom-designed questionnaires and lead forms
Create and store custom email, contract, invoice, proposal, questionnaire, etc. templates
Build custom workflows to streamline your processes, with built-in automation
Includes a Bookkeeping feature equipped with pulling the reports you need, including Profit & Loss statements
Integrates with Quickbooks, Shootproof, Zoom, Zapier, and so much more.
17hats vs Dubsado vs Honeybook
For all of my serial-entrepreneurs and multipassionates out there, THE key reason I went with 17hats (over similar systems such as Dubsado and Honeybook), was because 17hats offers the “Multiple Brands” feature that allows you to run multiple businesses out of ONE System and login!
While each of these platforms offer similar features, I found 17hats to be the best fit for me, my multiple businesses, and overall, I like the look-and-feel and professionalism that 17hats offers as I interact with my clients. (I can’t tell you how many clients comment how easy and professional it is to work with me — and I owe that to 17hats!)
This ONE system saved me $5,760 + 325 hours
Since 2018, I have run 4 different businesses out of 17hats at once! Which truly to me is PRICELESS!!
I can’t even imagine how much 17hats has saved me over the last six years had I not made the decision to move to 17hats!
17hats
17hats is your Premier Business Management Platform for Solopreneurs.
17hats offers CRM, Invoices, Quotes, Contracts, Questionnaires, Client Portals, Online Scheduling, Bookkeeping, Workflows, and more.
17hats is, in my opinion, the best CRM for solopreneurs. It’s truly an all-in-one business management software, with small business automation tools and the best invoicing software for freelancers. Not to mention, a multiple business management platform for running multiple businesses or brands from a single system.
17hats Small Business Mission
I could rave all day (and then some) about everything 17hats offers. The other thing that makes me a proud user, ambassador, and marketplace partner of 17hats is their heartfelt mission to support small businesses like ours.
Whether you're a just getting started on your entrepreneur journey or an established business looking to grow and scale, 17hats offers a diverse range of packages to provide the perfect fit for your needs, empowering you to thrive at every stage of your growth!
Get 50% Off 17hats
17hats is truly a game-changer, and will allow you to save time + money so you can focus on your growth and overall success!
And because you’re here, use my referral code: dvkrhgwbxw when you sign up to get a 7-day free trial AND to receive 50% off your first year of 17hats!
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“When I first signed up for 17hats in 2018, it simplified my business systems from 5 to 1 single system, saving me so much time and money. I love how it has so many useful features and functionalities in a single platform that helps me run my business professionally and with high quality service. The multiple brands feature has also allowed me to run 4 different businesses out of a single system. I use 17hats daily and I couldn’t be happier with this platform, as well as the team behind it. Thank you 17hats! ”
This is why I RAVE about 17hats for me and my clients. The ultimate time-saving tool for entrepreneurs.
How to Streamline Business Processes
If you know it’s time to Simplify and Streamline your systems and processes to save you time + money in your business, dive into 17hats today! (Plus, I can help you set everything up to make it super simple for you!)
It’s time to set your business up to SCALE!
Disclaimer: I am an affiliate of the above offers. I choose not to promote things unless I fully believe in their value to my audience. As a coach, I know my clients need support with other areas or systems I cannot offer, including the legal side of protecting their business, systems to run their business out of, and other tools to support them. So I've partnered up with the above companies and brands to better support you and your business needs!
