If you’ve ever found yourself doing everything in your stationery business—from envelope printing to Instagram captions to organizing files—you’re not alone.

But here’s the hard truth: You weren’t made to do it all.
You were made to lead.

At some point, the most important shift you can make is to start thinking (and acting) like the CEO of your business—not just the creator, designer, and task-juggler. And that starts with asking one simple question:

What should I stop doing… and start outsourcing?

The “Window-Washing” Analogy That Changed Everything

Picture this: You hire a brilliant new marketing strategist at $150k a year.  She is beyond talented and has the potential to drastically improve your visibility and sales. But instead of mapping your growth strategy, she spends her mornings scrubbing windows, emptying all the trash cans, and vacuuming the office.

When she starts missing deadlines and saying “I never have enough time to get it all done”, you think “Well, why do you spend a couple hours each morning deep cleaning the office?”

It doesn’t make sense, right?  She’s way too highly qualified and highly paid to be doing that with her time on your dollar.

Now flip the script.

That strategist is you.

But you are the CEO– the most highly paid, revenue-generating asset on your team.

And if you’re spending your most productive hours doing low-value tasks that drain your energy, you’re “scrubbing windows” instead of growing your business.

What Counts as a “Window-Washing” Task?

This will vary from person to person, but a few clues:

• You dread it.
• It drains your energy.
• It doesn’t generate revenue.
• You procrastinate or avoid it altogether.

In my case? That task was envelope printing. The setup, the printer issues, the repetitive steps—it was exhausting. Outsourcing this one piece of my process freed up my time and energy to spend on the deeper work that only I am able to do in order to grow and scale my business (and income).

Start with a Time + Energy Audit

Inspired by Dan Martell’s Buy Back Your Time, try this exercise:

1. Track your workday in 30-minute increments for a full week.
2. For each task, ask:
   • Did this generate revenue? (Yes/No)
   • Did this give me energy or drain me?

This will help you spot the patterns and identify where your energy should go.

Examples of Tasks to Consider Outsourcing

What you outsource will depend on your business model, strengths, and what lights you up creatively. But here are a few common areas for stationers to consider:

• Envelope printing, cutting, or assembly
• Custom calligraphy or artwork
• Template setup or backend workflows
• Email formatting or inbox management
• Social media scheduling or Pinterest pinning

If something feels repetitive, draining, or outside your zone of genius—you don’t have to hold onto it forever.

What Should I Keep Doing?

Simple: the things that move the needle.
The work only you can do.

Stepping into your CEO role doesn’t mean you stop creating—it means you protect your energy for the right things.

Here are a few CEO-level responsibilities worth holding onto:

• Big Picture Planning + Offer Development
  Setting the direction for your business. From building a semi-custom line to launching a new offer—you’re the only one who can define that vision.
• Creative Direction + Design
  You may not hand-illustrate every crest or print every envelope, but you are the artist behind the aesthetic. Make time for the work that reflects your creative vision.
• Being the Face + Voice of Your Brand
  You can delegate writing, but only you can show up as the expert behind the brand. Whether you’re on YouTube, speaking at a summit, or mentoring others—this is what builds real trust.
• Strategic Relationships
  As CEO, it’s your role to nurture key relationships with planners, venues, clients, and creative partners. These connections expand your visibility and grow your business through referrals and reputation.
• Elevated Client Experience
  From setting expectations to refining your client journey, you set the tone for how people experience your brand. That’s not something anyone else can replicate.

Final Thoughts

You’re not just the designer. You’re the CEO.

And every hour you spend on needle-moving work is an investment in the future of your business.