
As solopreneurs, we wear multiple hats. We’re the CEO, marketer, customer service representative, gatekeeper of knowledge, and more. While this multi-faceted role can be empowering, it often brings to light our biggest bottleneck: time.
I’m so passionate about this constraint that I recently went on Carrissa Woo’s Podcast “Get a Heck Yes With Carissa Woo” to talk about the complexities of bottlenecks in small businesses (click here to listen).
In this blog post, we’ll explore what a bottleneck is, how to identify one, and most importantly, what steps we can take to overcome it. Let’s dive into the strategies that can help us maximize our efficiency, including the power of automation and the use of small business management tools like 17hats and the new 17hats Marketplace.
What is a Bottleneck?

A bottleneck occurs when a specific part of a process slows down the entire system. Let’s visualize together for a minute. Imagine an old school Coca Cola bottle. The neck of the bottle is the narrowest part of the bottle and acts as a funnel: it restricts the flow, limiting how quickly things can move through. In business, a bottleneck is any task or process that reduces overall efficiency and productivity.
For solopreneurs, the most common bottlenecks revolve around time. They can include administrative tasks, email management, social media updates, and client communications. These repetitive tasks consume valuable time that could be better spent on strategic growth or creative work.
Signs of a Bottleneck
Identifying a bottleneck is the first step to overcoming it because sometimes we don’t even realize we have a bottleneck! I often think that our brains try to convince us that owning a small business translates into being constantly tied up in to-do tasks, and drowning in emails, but the reality is that sort of “busyness” very well may be a sign of a bottleneck.
Here Are Some Signs That a Bottleneck Might Be Hindering Your Productivity:
- Recurring Backlogs: Tasks consistently pile up, creating a backlog that’s hard to clear.
- Frequent Delays: Deadlines are regularly missed, and projects take longer than expected.
- High Stress Levels: Feeling overwhelmed and constantly busy without making progress.
- Decreased Output: Your overall productivity drops despite working long hours.
- Customer Complaints: Feedback from clients or customers highlights slow response times or delays in service delivery.
What to Do When You Identify a Bottleneck
Once you’ve identified a bottleneck, it’s crucial to take actionable steps to address it. Here’s a practical approach:
- Step One – Analyze the Process: Break down the process to pinpoint exactly where the bottleneck occurs.
- Step Two – Evaluate the Impact: Determine how the bottleneck affects your overall productivity and business outcomes.
- Step Three – Streamline and Simplify: Look for ways to simplify the process. Eliminate unnecessary steps and optimize the workflow.
- Step Four – Automate, Automate, Automate: Consider leveraging 17hats automations to take as many repetitive tasks off your plate as possible.
“17hats frees up more of our time to do more of what we love to do!” — Derek K.
Automate Using 17hats Marketplace Items
You hear us talking about automation all the time here at 17hats. Automation is a small business owner’s best friend, and by automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, you free up valuable time for higher-priority activities.
17hats is a comprehensive business management tool designed specifically for solopreneurs. One of its unique features is the new 17hatsMarketplace, which offers a variety of templates and tools to streamline your business operations. And remember– these templates are customizable to your industry and brand.
Here Are Some Items You Can Find in the 17hats Marketplace:
Templates for Contracts and Quotes: Professionally designed templates that save time and ensure consistency. Check out Matt Stagliano’s Commercial Video Contract template on the 17hats Marketplace. This Contract template is tailored for creative videographers and ensures clarity, protection, and professionalism in every collaboration.

Automated Workflows: Pre-built workflows by industry leaders that automate client communication, project management, and action items. Emily McClure’s Discovery Call + Booking Link and Workflow includes three scheduled emails from confirmation of the call to a day after “thank you”, two customizable action steps & a customizable Canva link.

Questionnaires: Customizable Questionnaires for client intake, feedback, and project details. Isabel Delacruz’s Balloon Decor Needs Questionnaire template simplifies the process of understanding your clients’ needs by asking them questions about their vision.

Money-Making Tools: Invoicing templates to manage your cash flow efficiently. This Recurring Invoice template from the 17hats HatsOff Podcast will automatically be sent to your client each month. You can adjust the recurrence as needed for your process.

Time is our most valuable resource as solopreneurs. By identifying and addressing bottlenecks, we can reclaim our time and focus on what truly matters: growing our business and achieving our goals. Automation and tools like 17hats are essential in this journey, helping us streamline processes and boost productivity.
Remember, the key to overcoming bottlenecks is not just working harder but working smarter. Embrace automation with 17hats as your small business management software, delegate tasks, and utilize tools designed to support solopreneurs. Your business—and your sanity—will thank you.
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