Evolution is the word. When we start off in this business, we work hard to build up a round. If you only have 3 days work every week, you can take on smaller stand alone jobs. If you weren't doing them, you wouldn't be working.
When you build up your round until it's a full time job, you have to make a decision.
Either continue to expand and take on labour, or stay on your own.
Many of us have tried taking on help and found it doesn't work. Either our prices were too low to make employing feasible, we lacked the necessary skills, or we just rather do without the extra hassle that employing brings.
If you work as a sole trader and have a full round, you can't expand.
That doesn't mean you can't evolve.
I see myself as a large worm, taking increasingly juicier bits in at one end, and discharging waste at the other.
Yes we must look after our customers, but only as long as they are prepared to pay the rate for the job. If you don't do this, then your business and your income will stagnate. Dai