We’ve all heard the saying: “Time is money.”
It’s a favourite phrase in business, meant to remind us that time is valuable. But let’s be real—this saying doesn’t hold up.
Here’s why:
If time were money, you could exchange one for the other. But you can’t.
Lose money? You can earn it back.
Lose time? It’s gone forever.
The Real Cost of the “Time is Money” Mindset.
For solo and small business owners, this belief can be dangerous. It leads to:
Overworking because you think more hours = more success.
Underpricing your services charging for time instead of value.
Delaying important things (health, family, rest) in the name of “hustle.”
But the most successful businesses don’t just trade time for money.
This is what they do.
- Build systems that let them earn without working 24/7.
- Charge for the value they create, not just the hours they work.
- Protect their time like the irreplaceable resource it is.
Build systems.
Small and solo business owners can implement different systems to regain their time, even if they have a limited budget. Start with time management.
Automate repetitive tasks using software and tools. For example, you can use email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to set up automated email sequences, saving you time and effort in manually sending individual emails. Free social media scheduling tools are included in most social media platforms or there are dedicated tools such as Hootsuite or Buffer can also be used to plan and schedule posts in advance, freeing up time for other important tasks.
Another system that can help small business owners save time is outsourcing certain activities. You can hire us for branding, content creation and social media. Virtual assistants for tasks like data entry, or customer support.
Look into project management tools or create your own processes. These platforms allow business owners to create task lists, assign deadlines, track progress, and collaborate with team members efficiently.
You can use cloud-based storage systems like Google Drive or Dropbox to store and share files securely. This can reduce the need for physical storage devices and enables easy access to documents from anywhere.
Implementing customer relationship management (CRM) software such as HubSpot or Zoho CRM can also be beneficial. These tools assist in organising customer data, managing leads, and automating follow-ups, enhancing efficiency and saving time on manual data entry.
Online payment systems like PayPal or Stripe can streamline the payment process. These platforms offer secure and user-friendly options for invoicing clients and accepting payments electronically.
A.I. Large Language models such as chat gpt can also help streamline different processes. You can grab our guide for solo and small business owners here.
By using or creating systems that your business needs within your budget constraints, means that small and solo business owners can reclaim valuable time that can be allocated towards growing your business and achieving your goals.
Don’t lose focus though, you don’t need to jump on every advertisment that says “Create xxx in just one click” make sure you step back and know where your business is spending the most time, then look at ways to improve the process.
Charge for Value.
To implement value-based pricing, small business owners must first understand the unique needs and pain points of their target audience. By conducting market research and engaging in conversations with potential clients, you can gain insights into the outcomes and benefits their customers want. This understanding will enable them to position their offerings as solutions that directly address these needs.
Once small business owners have identified the value they create, they can determine a fair price that reflects this impact. This approach includes factors such as the return on investment their clients will receive, the time saved, or the competitive advantage gained using their products or services.
Protect your Time it’s more Valuable than Money
If you run a small business, your time isn’t just a cost—it’s an investment.
So ask yourself:
Are you spending time on tasks that actually grow your business?
Have you considering in your pricing the value your product or service brings, not just hours?
Are you making time for the things that matter outside of work?
Because at the end of the day, you can always make more money. But you can’t make more time.
