When it comes to my blog and business, I’m often asked why I haven’t hired anyone to take over part of what I do — or to do all that “boring stuff” like social media, email newsletters, proofreading, editing, etc.
I don’t have a simple answer for these questions… but in general, I’m definitely a “do it myself” type of gal (always have been… and yes my feisty Nora comes by it naturally!) I like the challenge of managing my time to be super efficient and to get as much done in as little time as possible. I also like to know that things are done “my way” and no corners are cut.
I do realize that I could most definitely grow my blog, my business, and my income if I was willing to hire on more help… but right now, I feel like the hassle and stress of managing other people working for me (and then paying them) would basically offset the additional growth and income, to the point where I don’t feel like it’s worth it for me at this point in my life.
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My goal with my blog and business is not to be a mega blog or to have millions of followers. I’m not really interested in writing a book, being on TV, or traveling around the country speaking for various events. I’m also not interested in spending massive amounts of time, effort, or money to promote myself on social media, send out daily email blasts, pay for advertising, or build my online “Klout”.
I don’t think it’s bad or wrong that there are many other bloggers and businesses who ARE interested in those things — but that’s just not me.
I preach “simple” and that’s what I want for my own life too.
When I first started my organizing business (way back in 2007) and then eventually my blog (in 2010) my #1 goal was to figure out a way to make money while working from home. My secondary goal was to figure out a way to do this as efficiently and as simply as possible 🙂
Obviously it wasn’t that simple or efficient in the beginning — and as I’ve mentioned before, I put in YEARS of full-time work with little pay to show for any of it. But that was before kids, and I did it because I really enjoyed blogging, organizing, and sharing my passion with anyone who was willing to listen!
Thankfully my passion paid off (literally) in the form of a full-time, from-home job that I can work around my kids, my family, my house projects, etc.
Yes, my blog and my social media are growing, but I think I hit a “plateau” about a year ago and have just had really consistent stats and numbers since then. Nothing is going down, but I’m not growing as quickly as I was in prior years either.
I suppose that MIGHT mean I’m doing something wrong… but it also MIGHT mean that I’m doing everything exactly right and that I’ve simply found my target audience — all of you!
People who enjoy reading about simplifying, organizing, meal planning, budgeting, and “the crazy Dekker family”.
People who are looking for super simple recipes that aren’t always from scratch or following the latest diet trends.
People who want to know how to do something as quickly and as easily as possible without a lot of frills or “extras”.
People who love a good farmhouse renovation project.
People who like following a reliable blogger that publishes a new post Monday-Friday at exactly 8:01 am EVERY DAY!
People who prefer reading real-life posts versus boatloads of sponsored posts with little to no usable content.
People who like a simple blog design that’s easy to navigate and find what they are looking for.
People who don’t mind an occasional typo or bad grammar 🙂
While I certainly would not be against more blog growth (as long as it happens gradually) I also know from experience that as my blog continues to grow, it requires more and more time and resources from me — and with another baby on the way, my time and resources are becoming more and more limited.
But yet, I’m truly not interested in hiring anyone to do “the boring things” for me.
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Maybe I’m stubborn… or maybe I just realize that if I’m going to name my blog and business after myself, I better be willing to not only be the “face” of the business but also the substance behind it too.
Again, I don’t feel it’s bad when other bloggers and businesses do this… I just don’t feel good having someone else write for “AndreaDekker.com” or post content to the “Andrea Dekker social media sites” or send emails from “Andrea Dekker”.
I want you all to know and trust that (aside from a very occasional guest post) EVERY word you read on my blog, on my social media sites, and in an email is directly from me. I try to respond to any blog comments that ask questions… and if I had to estimate, I would say I respond to 98% of all the emails and Facebooks message I get (the other 2% are people just trying to pick a fight.)
So THAT is the really long answer to why I haven’t hired anyone yet, and why I’m still “doing it all myself” almost 8 years later.
That said, I have hired people to do some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that totally stresses me out.
Website Design, Web Hosting, Domains, and Tech Support:
From day 1, I’ve worked with Agathon Group to design and host my website. They also keep track of all the domains I own and help me with any random tech support needs that come up over time.
They not only built my website from the ground up (per my exact specifications), but they have also done several minor updates as well as a complete site overhaul almost 2 years ago.
I pay them a monthly fee for hosting my site and then an hourly rate for any additional help they offer me. Sometimes this is $0 a month, sometimes is several hundred dollars.
They are amazing and there is no way I would ever switch to working with any other company. I have referred MANY bloggers and other companies to them and have heard nothing but thanks and praise from the people who I’ve referred.
Accounting and Taxes:
Neither Dave nor I have any interest in filing our own taxes, so we’ve always paid a local company to do them for us. And as my business started to grow, we decided it made sense to incorporate — so our accountant helped me with all of that too.
I still use GoDaddy Bookkeeping to track all my income and expenses, I still send out all the invoices, and I still pay my monthly federal and state taxes — but my accountants do all my quarterly tax prep, all my year-end tax work, and anything extra that I might not know about. Plus, they are always around for me to quickly call or shoot them an email with questions or concerns.
It only costs me a few hundred dollars a year for their services and it is WELL worth it for the amount of stress it removes from my plate every month and every year.
Legal Services:
There have been 2 times in my business career that I’ve had to hire a lawyer to help me weed through some issues. Both times it was pretty stressful and there’s no way I would have known what to do without the help of a professional.
FYI, legal services are ridiculously expensive (seriously, it’s crazy) but it was worth it to know everything was handled correctly and that something couldn’t come back to get me later on.
And, as most of you know, Dave is my faithful editor. He’s not perfect, but the price is right 🙂
I feel like I’m in a “sweet spot” right now — not too much work that I feel stressed out, but enough to keep me busy. No big major changes coming up, but I also don’t feel like any major changes are necessary.
I’m still loving what I do; and based on the comments and emails I get, I think I’m actually helping people to better their lives and make positive changes (that’s always a nice feeling!)
I like the fact that I recognize many of my regular readers and can engage in discussions with them via comments, email, and social media. Yet it’s also fun to get periodic emails from new readers who just found my blog and are loving it.
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Yes, I could hire people to help me do more, grow bigger, grow faster, make more money, etc. but I could also simply be content with the fact that I’m doing EXACTLY what I set out to do 8 years ago — make a full-time income while working from home.
Right now, I’m choosing to be content. Hopefully that’s OK with you!
Janine says
Andrea, I absolutely love your blog. I was getting several blogs for a while but due to time limitations, canceled out of the others. You’re the only one I ended up reading on a daily basis and would never opt out of. My family has never read your blogs but they know who you are. When you had Simon, I was so excited, I had to tell them and when I read of your latest pregnancy, I announced to no one in particular, “Andrea’s pregnant!” My husband said, “Who’s Andrea?” and my teenage daughter replied, “It’s her blogger friend.”
Carolyn says
I am definitely happy that Andrea Dekker’s blog is 100% you. I love reading it. I love the tips and reading about your beautiful children and wonderful husband. Keep up the good work!
Priyanka says
Your authenticity and staying in touch with your readers is what I love the most about your blog. I love that you have a gift for simple living and being organized and don’t have a “Oh, look at me I am so great” attitude about it. Every blog reader knows that branding and sponsored posts are a way of monetizing the blog and really we are cool with that but a series of unrelated sponsored posts can be so annoying. You plan your posts so well that it never seems forced on us! Total fan girl you have here 🙂 Feedly is getting much better about picking up your posts earlier on its reader! I There are days when it does not show up until 8:30 or may be its just me.
Keep up the good work!
Andrea says
Thanks Priyanka, I’m not super familiar with Feedly — but I do know that all my posts are pre-scheduled to run at 8:01am EST every day. So if they don’t show up until 8:30 for you, it’s probably something with Feedly.
However, you could always come directly to my blog if you need your “AndreaDekker.com fix” 30 minutes earlier 🙂
Elena says
Andrea, I love your blog and how transparent you are with us. It’s been really nice seeing you through all of your pregnancies, your move and the changes you’ve made on your blog. Keep up the great work!!!
CINDY BU says
I love your posts! Thanks for not selling out and showing tons of stuff for sale. You really seem to care about us readers more than immense profits! Keep up the interesting and informative posts!
Debbie says
I definitely love that your blog is done by you and only you! Thank you for being so personal in that way. By you personally answering our questions and comments makes us feel more connected to you somehow, almost like a friend from out of town. It’s the one blog I read almost daily, sometimes it applies to me and I learn tons from it and sometimes not. Either way, I enjoy reading through it as part of my “me” time.
Andrea says
Thanks Debbie! Glad to be a part of your “me time”!
It’s funny, because I’ll often talk about readers by name with Dave — because I do start to feel like I know the people who comment so frequently 🙂
Monica says
Andrea, I love your blog because it reflects you! I love what you are doing or not doing with what you have and standing for the reasons behind your decisions.
Emily says
I first started following your blog because you were a fellow Michigander and I loved your content! Over the years it has been a joy watching your family grow. You were pregnant with Nora when I was pregnant with my #3 (just a few months ahead) and again when you were pregnant with Simon I was pregnant with #4 (only 2 months apart this time). 😉 And now we’re both pregnant again!! Your blog is a great source of encouragement and inspiration and I love it’s simplicity!! I love that your heart is for your husband, kids and being home while finding a wonderful balance with working as well. I hope you are encouraged by all the positive feedback and continue to do what you love and are clearly so passionate about! You’re awesome!!
Andrea says
thanks Emily! Yes, I can’t believe we’ve been pregnant at the same time 3 times already 🙂
Not sure we’ll make it to 5, but who knows, if we go for a 4th, are you up for a 6th??
Emily says
Bring it on baby!! 🙂 We would love more!!
Andrea says
haha — OK!
Angie G. says
I don’t think I’ve ever commented on a post before, so I wanted to chime in to thank you for this blog. I hope you continue to do what do you do because it is very inspiring! I think you’re doing a really great job and find it amazing that you can provide such valuable information at no cost to your readers! I truly appreciate it!
Andrea says
Thanks Angie — and yay for a first-time commenter 🙂
Nancy Ellen says
Andrea, it’s so refreshing to visit a blog that’s NOT about more-bigger-faster! It’s wonderful to reaffirm that we don’t need to be caught up on a crazy treadmill to have what’s important.
Karen says
I love your blog the way it is! And I especially LOVE that you consistently publish content pieces. I know that Monday through Friday, I can check your blog in the morning and there will be something to read…not just a bunch of ads. I also enjoy that you share your real life with your readers. I feel like you’re my friend that I never would have met because I’m a major homebody too! 😉
Andrea says
haha — we could probably be neighbors and never meet because we both stay home all day 🙂 Hooray for the internet so us introverted people can “make friends”!
Kelly says
I think the fact that you are the one doing everything for your blog is what makes it so great! Realistic, simple, honest and without a bunch of “fluff” to weed through… Your blog is definitely my favorite, and due to my own not-good-sleeping children and the fact that I live in Colorado, I get to read it at 6:01 am daily. = ) Like so many others, I feel like I know you and your family because you give us a true glimpse of your family’s life. Thanks for actually being so real!
On a side note, I grew up going to a Calvin Christian in Southern CA so I always have to smile when you mention Dave’s school. A ton of my classmates went to Calvin College, but I’m almost a decade older than you…. and I swear you look like you could be cousins with one of my classmates!
Andrea says
Yay for Calvin Christian in CA! Dave’s family is VERY good friends with the Kok family — whom you might know from that school??? In fact, Nate was in our wedding 🙂 Small world when you get into the CRC bubble!
Kelly says
The Koks I knew were Kelley (the only other girl with my name at school) and Doug. After I graduated, a different Mr. Kok was principal (or superintendent?). Is that the Kok family Dave knows? It is a small world! My brother married into a CRC Dutch family, so even though I graduated long ago and have moved away, I still have my “in” with the CRC bubble. We are Presbyterian and British, but I’m blonde so I managed to fit in, despite the “If you’re not Dutch, you’re not much!” bumper stickers. lol
Andrea says
Yes Kelly — the Mr. Kok who became principal 🙂
Pamela says
Loved your comment, Kelly! I taught at the Southern CA Calvin for 2 years while my husband was in seminary. Small world! 🙂
And I think Dave and I went to the same college, Andrea, although I’m older than you guys….
Kelly says
Pamela, when did you teach there?! My nephew went to Calvin until 2006 (I think), when my brother’s family moved to CO. It’s such a small school, it’s crazy to “run into” someone who worked there… My class (’96, all 28 of us) was the last one to have just one room for each grade level, so it was exceptionally small when I was a student. I am a teacher too, and when I was student teaching, I visited the school and got to hang out in the teacher’s lounge (woo-hoo!) with my former teachers who were still there. Miss M. made me want to be a teacher when I was in first grade. = )
Pamela says
I taught music there from 2005-2007. Yes, isn’t Miss M the best!?! So many great teachers there….
Andrea says
Pamela, Dave and I both went to Calvin College (that’s where we met!)
Pamela says
Oh! I thought there was a Dordt connection — was that his Masters perhaps??
Andrea says
Yes Pamela — Dave did his masters through Dordt college, but most of it was online. He did travel there for one summer but otherwise everything was from home (which was REALLY nice!)
Kristin @ The Gold Project says
I have followed your blog since I started my own blog and it is still one of the few that I have to read daily. I like that you are real and honest with your readers.
I am the same way as you. Right now, I am still building my blog, but I still don’t think I am the type to hire someone else to do things for me. My blog is supposed to be about me, my thoughts, and my experiences and I feel like having someone else answer emails, respond to social media, etc. would be being dishonest to my readers. They came to my blog to hear from me, not someone I am paying to step in as me.
I am definitely a do-it-yourself type of girl and I am proud of that fact.
Thank you for always being honest and for not losing yourself like others do. I can relate to you and love your blog. xoxo
Andrea says
Thanks Kristin!
I definitely don’t think it’s bad to hire people if you ever get to that spot. Heck, I make a lot of money from people who hire me to help them with their blogs 🙂
However, for me, with a blog called AndreaDekker.com, I just feel like I can’t do it — at least not right now.
Good luck as you continue to grow your blog!
Debby says
I love your blog just as it is. I tune in everyday for the most part. Sometimes attractive things come along and its all very exciting until its too much. I think that is what happened at Young House Love. I sure do miss them. And I hope they got the peace they were looking for. So you just take it slow because I don’t want to click on your name on my favorites bar, only to find you telling me that you have lost your blog mojo and you are quitting. I love your advice and your simple way of looking at life. I am sure we were sisters in another life. Keep it up. You inspire me. 🙂
Andrea says
I think there are LOTS of people who miss YHL 🙁
But I also think you’re correct when you say they just got burnt out with too much new and exciting stuff. They should have just stuck to house projects.
Hopefully you’ll never have to come to my blog and read that I’m shutting down — unless something happens to the internet, which I highly doubt!
Amber Woods says
Andrea,
I love your blog! You (and your kids) have become household names. My Lily Kate (almost 3) recognizes pictures of Nora. She usually wakes up and comes into the kitchen around the time I am reading your blog for the day.
I love the simplicity of it too, only 1 post a day. It would stress me and make me feel behind if you had a bunch of posts I couldn’t keep up with reading. I always feel like I can stop “life” and take a break for at least long enough to read your daily post. My husband loves your recipes, because we usually try them. He made the french toast sticks just yesterday morning at my suggestion.
Keep up the great work!
Andrea says
yay — something for the whole family then! Thanks for your kind words Amber!
Lisa K. says
I can’t tell you how many blogs that I used to read regularly who no longer post on a regular basis or only post sporadically if that. It’s disappointing, but of course I can’t blame them for just going through different seasons of life and having different goals then they used to. It’s almost to a point where I am afraid to really start getting into a blog and then have it disappear! 🙂
I love that I can count on you for a new post M-F, and of course I love your content or else I wouldn’t keep coming back every day. Keep it up, Andrea, your blog is awesome just how it is!
Pamela says
I’m so glad you’re content doing what you’re doing ’cause I LOVE the blog just the way it is! My absolute favorite part is the quality posts 5 times per week. I love the consistency. And I love that there are no junk posts.
Also, I really appreciate how you plug your ideas, but not yourself. Does that make sense? I love that you take your work seriously, without taking yourself too seriously.
Andrea says
Thanks Pamela! That’s actually a really nice compliment! I do take my work seriously, but I’m (slowly) learning not to take myself too seriously 🙂
Jules says
Echoing everyone else’s comments this morning – you are enjoyable to read every day because you are genuine and real and we feel that we know you and can relate to you!
Also – this part “People who prefer reading real-life posts versus boatloads of sponsored posts with little to no usable content.” could not be more true! I have stopped following quite a few people because I got sick of sifting through the sponsored posts that were a stretch for the project they were even blogging about. Ugh.
Keep up the good work, and thank you for all that you share 🙂
Debbie says
Thanks for all you do! I am a faithful reader!
Prayers and Blessings for your family!
susie says
I think you found a gem with Dave, too! He sounds like he helps out a ton with the house too! That helps out giving you time to run your business.
Andrea says
ya think!!! Yes, he’s a keeper, that’s for sure!
Chris says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog. I just also have to say that Simon’s smile is SO adorable!!
Andrea says
haha I know, it’s a super cute smile. That picture was actually from way back last summer, but it’s so stinkin’ cute that I wanted to “resurrect” it again for this post 🙂
Thanks so much for your loyal readership and kind words!
Esther says
I love, love your blog! You always are such an inspiration and I read every blog post! 🙂
Andrea says
Thanks Esther! That’s a lot of reading for you!!
Dawn says
I am actually a fairly new reader…only been around for a month or so.
I am a 47 year old mother of 10, and I’ll tell you why I keep coming back, AND why I have spent a good chunk of time reading your archives.
I very rarely see young mothers like you, so devoted to their home and children. It seems like the young moms are either trying to build an online presence, to the detriment of their home, or running around to every activity there is available.
You inspire me to finish my job well. I have 8 children still at home who need a mom just as devoted and faithful as their older siblings had. I get great new ideas from you to “freshen things up” around here too! As the years go by, I get more and more organized, mostly thanks to folks like you who share how you do it.
I am thankful for the way a few of you young moms keep me going, keep giving me that kick in the rear every day to get up and do what needs to be done, to be the best keeper of my home that I can be.
Plus I think you’re awfully pretty. Haha!! (I did show my daughter a picture of your family the other day so she could see what a gorgeous family you have!!)
Andrea says
Yes Dawn, so glad to have you aboard! I don’t have many readers with 10 children, so I definitely remember you 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words — the whole mothering thing has definitely taken me a while to grasp (and obviously, I still have TONS of learning to do) but I will say I feel most confident and comfortable when I’m at home, with my kids, without a million and one things to do. So that’s what I’m going for.
I like the fulfillment and enjoyment I get from writing and running a blog, but I also really love being at home with my family (something I never thought I would say when I was in college!)
AngelaB says
Good for you Andrea!! And your blog is AWESOME just the way it is! Your posts, recipes, and advice are practical, doeable, and simple without all the useless “fluff.” My favorite blog without a doubt.
Andrea says
Thanks so much Angela! I’m really not much of a “fluff” person — unless it’s Marshmallow Fluff 🙂
Rachel says
You are doing things exactly right for me! Your blog is HANDS DOWN my favorite one! Thanks for all your efforts!!
Sonia says
I can’t ever say this enough…your blog is one of the best blogs out there simply because it is genuine. It is real, and it is such a help to me as a new mother to read how someone else coped with the stress of having a child. As some one planning on a second child soon, it has been incredibly helpful to read your posts about Nora and Simon.
I love your recipes (and look forward to them!) because they are feasible to make in short amounts of time with busy family lives. I can’t tell you how many of your recipes have become my “go to” recipes.
In short, there are no real words for just how awesome you really are!
P.S. You mentioned earlier about olive oil for health reasons–have you tried grapeseed oil? Same benefits as olive oil with a higher smoke point and a more subtle flavor. Also, on the East Coast at least, I’ve found that it can sometimes be cheaper.
Andrea says
WOW! Thanks Sonia! And yes, I’ll need to look into the grapeseed oil. You are the 2nd person to mention that to me. I’m not sure what the price difference is for us, but I’ll scope it out 🙂
Jody says
Love it!
Kate @ The Beautiful Useful Project says
I love your site just the way it is, and I’m glad you’re not hiring other people to write for you. If you did, I’d probably still the site, but I come here because of you. 🙂
Anna says
I love your blog, it’s my favorite and I look forward to reading it every morning. I always find inspiration and love the frugal ideas you have. None of my real life friends hate clutter as much as you and I do, and so you give me just the right “kick in the pants” I need at times to get started on hard decluttering projects, such as kids clothes and sentimental items. It was because of your post about what to do with wedding dresses that promoted me to send my dress in to be made into an angel gown, and I have never been sorry I did it! So glad I don’t have to lug a huge box around for the rest of my life due to guilt! Thanks for all of your hard work and please don’t go anywhere!
Andrea says
yay for getting rid of that wedding dress!!! I did feel a little bad when I cut mine up, but after moving to a home with very little extra storage space (besides a dirty Michigan basement) I’m happy not to have that big thing taking up space!
Erin says
The main reason I keep coming back to your blog is because you’re realistic. So many simple-living or organizing blogs remind me of magazines–pretty (edited) pictures to look at but not doable projects I could see myself completing in “real life.” Your blog has both inspiring pictures and simple ideas I can actually implement.
Thank you for not filling your blog with sponsored posts. One of my pet peeves is bloggers who write sponsored posts the majority of the time. I’m not a fan of reading advertisements.
Andrea says
Thanks Erin!
Funny story, when I was first starting my blog, I tried SOOOOO hard to make all my pictures and everything seem like a perfect magazine — but I was really bad at it! Eventually, I just gave in and said “this is who I am, it’s good enough” and that’s when my blog started growing 🙂
Paulette says
YES!!!! At 8:01, I know your post is there. Your blog is real, practical and relatable. I would grieve (seriously) if you stopped blogging. My husband made the comment that I talk about you and your family like I know you. Well, I feel like I do.
April Driggers says
I absolutely love the picture of you and Dave (your faithful editor). It’s really a beautiful shot! I’m a total do-it-yourself kinda girl as far as… if MY name is associated with it, I want to know that it’s done to the best of my ability. Period. 🙂 Very like-minded.
Andrea says
Thanks April.
I was feeling really good about finally losing my baby weight from Simon — and I new we were hopefully going to be pregnant soo,n so I’m glad we got that shot of us at that time in my life 🙂
Shantel says
I love your blog! It is my favorite and I faithfully read it every day! I love the variety of topics and everything is always presented in a clear, concise manner. And yes, I am so thankful for reliable posts every morning (7 am for me!). I always enjoy seeing what your topic of the day is and have tried so many of your recipes. Your hard work has truly paid off!
Kimberley says
You are doing a fantastic job and I love everything about your blog! I love coming back every weekday morning, drinking my cup of coffee and reading what you have posted! I even look through older stuff too! Love it all…and like others have said, don’t change a thing, unless you want to!!! 🙂
Denise says
love what you do and how you’re doing it. You are running your business– it’s not running you. After many years, your blog is the only one I regularly read and look forward to. Thanks for keeping it real!
Andrea says
Thanks Denise!
There have definitely been times when my business “ran me” and they were not good times. Thankfully, I realized what was happening and made some changes to simplify things a lot!
Lynn A. says
Andrea,
Thank you for being you! That’s really what I enjoy about your blog.
Rachel says
This is exactly why I love your blog. The posts are full of content. They are consistent (every morning) and interesting. You are inspiring and encouraging. We get to hear from you 🙂 I find that most mega blogs lose the personal touch (at least for some time) and their great posts are lost in hundreds of other posts. Thanks for a great blog!
Kara says
This is my favorite blog!!! I enjoy the variety of topics you write about. Glad your continuing to do it yourself.
Debbie W. says
I definitely fit your description of your readers! I have definitely learned to read your blog around 8:00, lol- it is exactly 8:20 right now! I’m also amazed at how many things I find myself doing that I learned from your blog. It hasn’t even been a conscious change in many cases, just simple stuff that I’ve picked up. You really have helped me more than I can say. Thanks for all of your hard work. Even though I don’t know you personally, I feel like you are one of my friends. Best wishes to you (and your family) with baby #3!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Debbie! And the non-conscious changes — those are EXACTLY how life-simplifying works best (at least in my opinion). It usually has to start with a conscious decision, but then, over time, it just “happens” and that’s SOOOO awesome!
I actually mentioned almost those exact words in this post from a few weeks ago!!
Kristi says
Personally, I love your blog and I don’t think you should change a thing unless it’s something YOU want to do! Totally get wanting to have your own hand in everything so you know what’s going on. I think as a business owner you can lose a lot of insight otherwise…and besides…You do a great job with it all!!