Managing a Business Wearing Multiple Hats

Running a business isn’t one job, it’s several.

Most founders feel overwhelmed, not because they’re disorganised but because they’re unknowingly doing the work of an entire team. A UK survey of 1,000 SME owners found that 73% say they wear more hats than they anticipated - check out the AXA UK website.

This article gives you a clear, simple map of what those roles are and why understanding them helps you make better decisions with less pressure.

What Is Happening

You’re doing more jobs than you realise. Your brain calls it “running the business”, but behind the scenes you’re switching roles constantly, and you expect yourself to be good at all of them.

This creates pressure and self-doubt, even though no one person is meant to hold every function. Seeing the roles clearly separated is the first step toward reducing overwhelm and organising your energy.

The Essential Hats (Various Roles)

1. Strategy - Choosing direction and priorities.

2. Marketing - Making your work visible.

3. Sales - Converting interest into income.

4. Delivery - Doing the work people pay for.

5. Finance - Invoicing, budgeting, cashflow, tax.

6. Operations - Systems, admin, processes.

7. Customer Experience - Onboarding and support.

8. People - Managing freelancers or collaborators.

9. CEO - Protecting your time, energy and decisions.

Does that feel like a lot? Well, it is!

You may not touch each one weekly but you’re responsible for all of them.

This Clarity Is Important

Knowing that you are wearing various hats, that are all REAL separate roles, can help you see why things feel a bit tough. In bigger organisations, these roles are spilt between various people - ideally one person per role, and as the company grows, multiple people and teams. You are doing this all on your own.

Take a moment to take this in. We hope that it will:

• Reduce self-judgement: You stop thinking “I should be further along.”

• Show you where support is needed: You can’t delegate what you haven’t named.

• Improve capacity: You work with your energy, not against it.

• Strengthen financial decisions: You understand where your time is worth the most.

Next Step: Get Clear on Your Mix

If you want to see your business roles in greater detail, and understand what you should keep, simplify or hand off, join The Stack to access a bunch of free resources, including the Who Does What in Your Business? asset.

It is a short practical resource to help you design a business setup that actually fits your brain and your bandwidth.