Summer Reset: How I'm Stepping Back (and How You Can Too)

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Summer is always full of sunshine, adventures, and squeezed-in responsibilities, but this summer will be especially full for our family!

Our oldest daughter is graduating from high school and heading to college in the fall. My husband is turning the big 5-0 (yes, there will be a party!). We’re also celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. On top of our regular summer fun, it will be a beautiful whirlwind.

It’s times like these that I’m extra grateful to run a business from home and have the flexibility to shape my schedule. This summer, I plan to step back from both the Small Business Sarah content side of my business and from the Evergold Accounting client work. I’m not stepping away completely, but I'm intentionally making space for family and memories. And honestly, this has been years in the making.

Here’s how I’ve built my business to allow for a season of stepping back—and how you might begin creating the same kind of freedom.

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1. Hiring Quality Team Members

Finding the right people takes time, and not every hire will be the perfect fit. I’ve been lucky to find great team members, but it hasn’t come without a few mismatches along the way.

Right now, I have a dream team: four part-time bookkeepers and an administrative assistant supporting Evergold, plus my long-time marketing assistant who helps run the content side of things. I trust them completely. That trust allows me to step away with confidence.

First Steps for You:

• Start small by hiring a VA for a task you dislike or aren’t great at.
• Test the waters with project-based help (Upwork, Fiverr, or referrals from business groups).

Document one recurring task you could delegate—just one! Write out the steps, or better yet, record your screen with Loom or Scribe.

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2. Utilizing Technology & Systems

Automation doesn’t need to be fancy to be powerful. Simple tools like a welcome email series or an intake form for new leads run quietly in the background and save hours over time.

One of the best tools I’ve added is a library of training videos for my team. If a bookkeeper runs into a question, they can search our video library first. It’s faster for them, and it saves me from having to answer the same questions again and again.

First Steps for You:

• Set up one automated email for new clients, customers, or subscribers (Kit is a great tool for this).
• Use a form tool like Airtable to screen inquiries, gather project info, and store everything in a database.

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3. Batching Content

The only way I can consistently post to YouTube (and not lose my mind) is by batching. I plan, film, and schedule videos in separate chunks of time. This not only keeps content flowing, but allows me to “disappear” without people noticing.

First Steps for You:

• Identify one task you do regularly that could be batched (emails, blog posts, social media, product listings, product photography).
• Block off one hour this week to work on multiple versions of that task all at once.

Try using a scheduling tool (Tailwind for social media) to keep things running while you’re offline.

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4. Evaluating Capacity & Saying No

Right now, I’m being extra mindful about what I say yes to. As business owners, we’re wired to chase every growth opportunity. But growth without boundaries leads to burnout.

This summer, growth is taking a backseat. I’m okay with that because I know I’ll have the energy and space to pursue big ideas again when I return.

First Steps for You:

• Create a simple filter for new opportunities. (Example: “If it takes more than 2 hours/week or doesn’t align with my main goal, it’s a no.”).
• Block out personal time on your calendar before you book in client work or business projects.

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Small Business Updates and Tools

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Do you use Square in your business? If so, be sure to check out my recent video on bookkeeping for Square.

Selling on Amazon with Online Arbitrage

Have you considered selling on Amazon with Online Arbitrage? This article covers many of the pros and cons of online arbitrage with advice on how to do it successfully.

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Sponsored

I love using Scribe in my business to train new employees how to complete specific tasks. The process to create a Scribe is so easy. You just activate Scribe, and Scribe records the steps you take on your screen. After you are done, you can edit and add more instructions.

Here is a sample of two steps in a Scribe I created for a process we perform in Kit. Isn’t it cool how the Scribe steps show you exactly where to click on the screen? It’s such an effective training tool!

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On a Personal Note 🐈

Last fall, my kids found a stray cat with no owner, and we ended up adopting it. My kids love this cat, and he has become a valued member of our family. This cat spent a lot of time indoors with us this winter, but now that the weather is nice, he loves to be outside.

We are really conflicted about what to do when we go on vacation. What is the best way to keep a largely outdoor cat happy and safe while we are away? If you have suggestions, please hit reply and share.