Hi-Tech Tools Help Solopreneurs Scale Without Hiring | LeanBPI

This article features several businesses we worked with through the LEO Digital for Business programme. 

The Pilates Barre

Sandra Scannell · Fermoy, Co. Cork

After years of managing staff in the fitness industry, Sandra Scannell launched The Pilates Barre with a different model — a network of freelance instructors rather than employees. What made it work was migrating all business administration to a digital platform. Teaching schedules, bookings, payments and waitlists now run automatically, eliminating the need for part-time admin help.

Sandra now uses generative AI to analyse her accounts and set key performance indicators, comparing quarters and getting actionable recommendations.

“I ask AI to compare Q1 this year with last and give me recommendations to improve. It feels like having someone in the board-room with me.” — Sandra Scannell, The Pilates Barre

Digital for BusinessAI adoptionBooking automation

Mayo Storage Facilities

John Waldron · Co. Mayo

What started as a side-line when the Waldron family retired from mushroom farming has grown into a consistent revenue stream. John runs Mayo Storage alongside a full-time job, and technology is helping him scale without hiring. Through Digital for Business, a consultant identified where he could digitise, and a Grow Digital Voucher helped cover the cost.

Now, instead of handwritten invoices and Excel spreadsheets, John manages the entire business remotely through a smartphone app. The next step is automating bookings so the system can allocate empty units and take payments online.

“Going digital has streamlined the operation so much that I can continue to run it solo, and manage a full-time career as well.”

— John Waldron, Mayo Storage Facilities

JR Games

Mary Murray · Galway

Mary Murray makes sports-related jigsaws and colouring books featuring GAA, rugby and soccer players, and athletes of all abilities including Paralympians. With multiple sales channels — her website, the Faire marketplace, retailers, email and phone orders — she never had one view of stock at any time.

Through Digital for Business, Mary introduced a digital stock-take system and is now integrating it so invoicing automatically updates stock levels. The next step is connecting her accounting software.

“I have great ambition to grow but, before I do, I want to be set up for success by having these systems in place.” — Mary Murray, JR Games

Corby Hair and Beauty Supplies

Fiona Corby · Co. Leitrim

Fiona Corby has been the sole employee of her salon products distribution business since 2006. She always wanted to hire, but when everything was paper-based, so much time went on day-to-day admin that bringing someone in felt more stressful than doing it alone.

Having digitised everything, she now feels ready to take someone on. With all the information in systems rather than in her head, onboarding a new person becomes manageable.

“The thought of hiring someone while all the information was up in my head just felt like too much pressure. Going digital will make it so much easier for someone else to see the track.” — Fiona Corby, Corby Hair and Beauty Supplies

Fiona also featured in Turn on the style with a digital transformation (Sunday Times, Oct 2024)

Expert comment

“If you have one employee, it’s the same as having ten in terms of regulation. What technology is doing is facilitating the option to do more yourself.”

— John O’Shanahan, LeanBPI

Want to scale without hiring?

LeanBPI helps solopreneurs and small teams digitise operations so you can grow revenue without growing headcount.