Module 28

Team, creators and money

9 lessons, 59 stepsOne instruction at a time, each with the result to expect. Tick steps as you go; Helix remembers.

Outcome: you hire the right first helper on the right terms and pay creators with clear agreements. You pay overseas suppliers without losing money to currency or scams. You compare loans by their true cost and keep tool bills in check. You look after yourself, and decide calmly if Amazon is worth adding.

In plain words

Stage: Grow (keep more of every sale, then scale). Every lesson below is tagged with its stage; see Attract, Convert, Grow.

What it is: Hire help, pay creators and suppliers safely, choose funding wisely and look after yourself.

Why it matters: The right help buys back your time. The wrong deal or loan can cost you for years.

Do this:

List your tasks for two weeks and hire for the ones that need a checklist, not you.

Put creator deals and supplier payment terms in writing, and confirm bank details by phone.

Compare funding by its true cost and only borrow for stock that already sells.

Words to know:

Contractor: Someone who runs their own business and does work for you, rather than being your employee.

Usage rights: Permission to use a creator's content in one place, like paid ads. It lasts for a set time.

Revenue-based financing: A loan you repay as a share of your daily sales. Payments rise and fall with sales.

Creator: A person who makes social content and can feature your product.

All words are explained in the glossary.

Lesson 28.1: Your first hireGrow

General information, not tax or legal advice. Check with a registered tax agent or accountant. Also check the official sources above.

In short

Your first hire should give you back hours.

Do this now

Step 1: For two weeks, log every task and its time.

Why this matters

Your first hire should give you back hours. Pick work that does not need you.

Step 1 of 90 of 9 done

For two weeks, log every task and its time. Mark each one: only I can do it, someone could do it with a checklist, or it should stop.

Expected result

You have a task log with every task marked.

Lesson 28.2: Working well with a virtual assistantGrow

In short

A remote helper can be a great first hire.

Do this now

Step 1: Record your screen doing each task once while talking through it, then turn it into a short checklist.

Why this matters

A remote helper can be a great first hire. The work must be written down and access must be safe.

Step 1 of 70 of 7 done

Record your screen doing each task once while talking through it, then turn it into a short checklist.

Expected result

Every task has a checklist.

Lesson 28.3: Paying creators: agreements, disclosure and taxGrow

General information, not tax or legal advice. Check with a registered tax agent or accountant.

In short

Creators are paid with free product, a flat fee, commission or a mix.

Do this now

Step 1: Split every price into parts: making the content and posting it.

Why this matters

Creators are paid with free product, a flat fee, commission or a mix. Clear written terms prevent arguments later. For rates and usage, see Lesson 19.4.

Step 1 of 60 of 6 done

Split every price into parts: making the content and posting it. Then usage rights: using it in your ads, and for how long. Add exclusivity and raw footage.

Expected result

You know what each part costs.

Tips

Usage rights: Permission to use a creator's content in a stated place (such as paid ads) for a stated time.

Lesson 28.4: Paying overseas suppliers and managing currencyGrow

General information, not financial advice. Check with your accountant or bank.

In short

When you pay in another currency, the exchange rate margin can cost more than the bank fee.

Do this now

Step 1: For one real payment, compare the total cost at your bank and at least one money transfer service.

Why this matters

When you pay in another currency, the exchange rate margin can cost more than the bank fee. Invoice scams also target importers, so confirm before you pay.

Step 1 of 60 of 6 done

For one real payment, compare the total cost at your bank and at least one money transfer service. Check your rate against the mid-market rate, plus fees.

Expected result

You know the cheapest way to pay.

Lesson 28.5: Funding growth: comparing financing offersGrow

General information, not financial advice. Check with your accountant before you borrow.

In short

Revenue -based loans, platform cash advances and bank loans can pay for stock of a proven product.

Do this now

Step 1: Write down exactly what you would buy and how it pays back.

Why this matters

Revenue-based loans, platform cash advances and bank loans can pay for stock of a proven product. But they make things worse when they pay for losses. See also Lesson 14.5.

Step 1 of 60 of 6 done

Write down exactly what you would buy and how it pays back. For example: more stock of a product that already sells at a profit.

Expected result

You have a clear use for the money.

Tips

Profit: Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.

Lesson 28.6: Keep tool and subscription costs in checkGrow

In short

Apps and tools creep up quietly.

Do this now

Step 1: Each quarter, export card and bank statements and list every subscription with its monthly cost.

Why this matters

Apps and tools creep up quietly. Many charge by contacts, orders or users, so the bill grows with you even when the value does not.

Step 1 of 60 of 6 done

Each quarter, export card and bank statements and list every subscription with its monthly cost.

Expected result

You have a full list of tools and costs.

Lesson 28.7: Founder load: stress, burnout and getting helpGrow

In short

Running a store can be lonely, and money worries can keep you awake.

Do this now

Step 1: Look at numbers on a schedule: profit each morning in Helix and cash once a week.

Why this matters

Running a store can be lonely, and money worries can keep you awake. Looking after yourself is part of running the business.

Step 1 of 90 of 9 done

Look at numbers on a schedule: profit each morning in Helix and cash once a week.

Expected result

Regular small check-ins replace dread.

Tips

Shortcut: Open your growth dashboard.

Profit: Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.

Good to know

Australia: Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) and Lifeline (13 11 14) offer free support at any hour. Beyond Blue also runs free coaching for small business owners. The Small Business Debt Helpline (1800 413 828) helps with money worries. See business.gov.au: mental health and wellbeing support.

US: call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any hour. See 988lifeline.org.

UK: call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any hour. See samaritans.org.

Lesson 28.8: Should you sell on Amazon?Grow

In short

Amazon can add sales, but it has its own fees, rules and competition.

Do this now

Step 1: Search Amazon for your product type and note prices, review counts and whether copies already exist.

Why this matters

Amazon can add sales, but it has its own fees, rules and competition. Decide with numbers, not fear of missing out.

Step 1 of 60 of 6 done

Search Amazon for your product type and note prices, review counts and whether copies already exist.

Expected result

You know the competition.

Watch out

Smaller Amazon marketplaces outside the US have less demand, so check demand first.

Lesson 28.9: Selling to shops: a simple wholesale startGrow

In short

Shops that stock your product put it in front of people who never see your ads.

Do this now

Step 1: Work out your wholesale price: a common rule of thumb is that shops expect to buy at about half the retail price.

Why this matters

Shops that stock your product put it in front of people who never see your ads. Margins are lower per unit, but orders are bigger and there is no ad cost per sale. Done carefully, wholesale adds steady volume.

Step 1 of 40 of 4 done

Work out your wholesale price: a common rule of thumb is that shops expect to buy at about half the retail price. Check with your profit setup that landed cost, packaging and freight still leave a profit at that price.

Expected result

A wholesale price for each product that still makes money. Or a list of products you cannot sell wholesale.

Tips

Profit: Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.
Landed cost: What one unit really costs once it reaches your warehouse: product, freight, duties and fees.

Words to know in this module

UGC: Photos and videos made by real customers or creators instead of the brand.
Creator: A person who makes social content and can feature your product.
Contractor: Someone who runs their own business and does work for you, rather than being your employee.
Usage rights: Permission to use a creator's content in a stated place (such as paid ads) for a stated time.
Revenue: The money customers paid for orders. Helix uses net sales: after discounts and refunds, without GST or VAT. It is not what you keep.
Revenue-based financing: A loan you repay as a share of your daily sales, so payments rise and fall with sales.
Guarantee: A clear promise that removes the fear of a bad purchase, like a 30-day money-back promise.
GST: Goods and services tax. Each country sets its own rate, such as 10% (Australia) or 15% (New Zealand). Registered businesses add it to most sales.
Margin: The share of each sale you keep after product cost. A $100 sale with $40 product cost is a 60% margin.
Profit: Usually means contribution profit: what is left from sales after product cost, shipping, payment fees, discounts, refunds and ads. Net profit also takes off fixed costs.
Flow: An email or text series that sends by itself when something happens, like a new sign-up.
Fixed costs: Bills that stay the same each month, like rent, software, staff and your own wage.
Sales tax: In the US, a tax set by most states (and many local areas) that the seller collects at checkout.
CPA: Cost per acquisition: how much ad money it took to get one sale.

All words to know