From hands-on to hands-off: tips for a self-sustaining business

Oliver Holcombe • November 7, 2024

Owning and running a small business can often feel like juggling flaming torches, while riding a unicycle on a high wire—you're constantly managing multiple tasks, with each one demanding your attention essential to the running of the business. There is no room for dropped balls (or dropped flaming torches!) and it’s common to be one person doing the jobs of many. So how do you get some sanity in your life and still manage to have a thriving business?

Managing to decouple yourself from the running of the business can be challenging but has so many advantages. If you are freed up from the day-to-day you can be able to add maximum value to the business (and enjoy maximum flexibility and fun), your team have room to shine, all while adding to the value of your business and making room for growth.


Here are a few tips to help make some changes to move towards a self-sustaining business.


Let it go!

One of the most effective ways to transition your business to run independently is by embracing delegation. This can be the hardest part for many business owners as the business is their ‘baby’ and relinquishing control can be daunting.


Start by listing all the tasks and responsibilities you currently handle. Categorise them into three groups: tasks you can delegate, tasks you should delegate, and tasks only you can handle. Train your team on the tasks you plan to delegate, and make sure to empower them - providing them with the tools and authority needed to succeed.


Encourage others to step in

Building a capable and motivated team is crucial for a self-sustaining business. When your team feels empowered and trusted, they’re more likely to take ownership of their roles and contribute to the business’s success. 


Focus on hiring individuals who not only possess the necessary skills but also share your vision and values. Encourage staff to take initiative and make decisions within their scope of responsibility. Recognise and reward their efforts and be patient and supportive as your team adjusts to their new responsibilities.


Decouple yourself by having processes in place

If you want people to step in, you’ll also need to look at how you can make things run more efficiently and easily without you involved. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are vital for ensuring consistency and efficiency in your business operations. By documenting your processes, you provide a clear roadmap for your team to follow, reducing the need for your direct involvement in every task.


Begin by documenting the most critical and frequently performed tasks. Include step-by-step instructions, necessary resources, and common troubleshooting tips. Regularly review and update these procedures to keep them relevant and accurate and encourage your team to provide feedback to make continuous improvements. 


Leverage technology and automation to free up time

In today’s digital age, technology can be a powerful ally in making your business run smoothly. Automation tools can handle repetitive tasks, streamline processes, and free up time for more strategic activities.


Invest in software solutions that align with your business needs. For instance, customer relationship management (CRM) systems can automate customer interactions and track sales leads, while accounting software can simplify bookkeeping tasks. Explore options for automating marketing campaigns, inventory management, and even communication tools such as project management software or team collaboration platforms to facilitate information sharing and coordination.


Prioritise your well-being

Stepping back from day-to-day operations can be challenging, especially when it involves relinquishing control. However, prioritising your own well-being is essential for both your health and the long-term success of your business.


Make self-care a priority by setting boundaries and creating a balanced work-life schedule. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, whether it’s pursuing hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking time for yourself.



Transforming your small business to run independently is a journey that requires thoughtful planning and a willingness to adapt. While it can be difficult to step back, the benefits for both your business and your personal well-being are well worth the effort. Embrace the change with confidence, and enjoy the freedom that comes with a thriving, self-sufficient business. Your future self—and your business—will thank you.

Do you know how your super is performing?

By Nikki Ashurst • November 2, 2026
Many Australians don't know how their super fund has performed or what it invests in. Are you one of them? Here's what to check and why it matters. Do you know how your super fund performed over the last two years? Many Australians don’t and are working towards their financial future without fully understanding one of their most important assets and without a clear plan for how their super may support them in retirement. That's not surprising, as many people view super as something that should run quietly in the background while they're busy with careers, families and everything else that life throws at them. But when you’re not sure what’s happening behind your balance, it’s harder to know whether you’re on track, whether your current approach reflects your goals or what opportunities might be available to help you make the most of what you’ve built so far. Your super isn't sitting in an account, it's invested Super is invested by a fund on your behalf across a mix of assets, with those investments working to grow your balance over time. Those include: Shares Ownership in Australian and international publicly listed companies. Their value can rise and fall, sometimes substantially over short periods but shares can provide capital growth over the long term. Property and infrastructure Real assets like office buildings, shopping centres, airports and energy networks. They can produce income and don't always behave in the same way as share markets, helping diversify investment holdings. Fixed interest and bonds Lending to governments and companies in return for interest. They can provide regular income and be steadier than shares, although returns and risk vary depending on the investment. Cash Generally, the most stable and lowest risk investment type. It can provide stability and faster access to money but typically offers lower longer term return potential. The investment option you choose determines the mix of assets held in your super based on your risk appetite. Most super funds offer options from conservative to high growth. If you’re young, a growth option with a higher exposure to growth assets like shares could offer higher returns over time – but it also comes with higher risk. As retirement nears, you might want to consider a more conservative approach with more defensive assets, like bonds for example to protect your savings. If you've never made a choice, you're probably in your fund's default option, which is designed to suit a broad membership. It’s worth knowing whether the mix you're in matches your circumstances and goals, including how far you are from retirement. Why performance alone is not a true comparison If you're thinking about how your super compares, returns are often where people start. The trouble is that a return figure means nothing without context: What it's being compared to Growth and conservative options invest differently and with different levels of risk. Compare like with like or the comparison may not be genuine. The comparison period A single year can be heavily influenced by short term market conditions. Super is measured in decades, so five, seven and ten year returns tell you far more about whether a fund is consistently doing its job, albeit not a predictor of future performance. Fees and tax Published returns should reflect investment fees, costs and tax but administration fees may be charged separately from your balance. Two funds quoting the same return can leave you in meaningfully different places once all fees are accounted for. Then there are the things that returns can't show you at all. For example, what insurance is attached to your account and what it's costing you, whether the fund offers guidance, tools and advice or simply sends a statement once a year. Another consideration maybe the level of support available when you need it. When comparing funds, it's worth looking at the full picture, including performance, fees, investment options, retirement support and member benefits. What today’s decisions mean tomorrow To understand how your super stacks up, start here: Find your investment option It's on your annual statement and in your online account. Look at what's in it Your fund publishes the asset allocation (shares, cash etc.) for each investment option. Check the long-term return for that option Focus on five and ten year returns, not just last year and compare them with equivalent options. Understand the total cost Add together administration fees, investment fees and insurance premiums as an annual dollar figure. Comparing super is about working out which option will perform best for you. Before you jump in, it’s worth understanding what's behind the numbers so you can make decisions based on more than a headline return. Knowing where you stand is the first step A super balance tells you where you are today. Understanding how your super is invested, how it compares and whether it's aligned with your goals helps show whether you're heading in the right direction. Source: MLC The information in this article does not take into account your objectives, needs and circumstances. We recommend that you obtain investment and taxation advice specific to your investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs before making any investment decision or acting on any of the information contained in this document. Subject to law, Capstone Financial Planning nor their directors, employees or authorised representatives gives any representation or warranty as to the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information; or accepts any responsibility for any person acting, or refraining from acting, on the basis of the information contained in this document. Principal Wealth Management Pty Ltd trading as BMO Financial Solutions ABN 53 109 336 601 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 277821) of Capstone Financial Planning Pty Ltd ABN 24 093 733 969 Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) No. 223135.

The SMSF landscape is changing

By Jude Schofield • October 7, 2026
More Australians are choosing to take direct control of their retirement savings by establishing a self-managed super fund (SMSF) and according to the SMSF Association, Aussies now see their super as an important part of building and managing their overall wealth.