Linh Podetti: On How Outsourcing Led to Success

Forced into child labour at ten years old. Pregnant, disowned and living on the street at 19.

Fast-forward 20 years.

Serial entrepreneur and owner of Outsourcing Angel, Linh Podetti’s story is quite remarkable.

What does turning your life around when you are up against it take?

Linh Podetti, serial entrepreneur and founder of Outsourcing Angel

Linh, thanks for having a chat with me today. You are the founder of Outsourcing Angel. Tell us a little bit about what your business does.

I would say we sell freedom to business owners. People often start a business because they want the freedom to live life on their terms. But then get so caught up in all the tasks that need to be done that there isn’t any freedom.

Outsourcing Angel focuses on systemising the business. Using integrated tools to automate tasks and reduce manual work. At the end of the day, you still need to do work. And that's when we delegate it to virtual assistants based in the Philippines.

What a brilliant tagline “We create freedom” I love that.This wasn't your only business, though, Linh? Tell us about the journey that got you here.

I was born and raised in Vietnam. We had very little. When we migrated to Australia in 1992, my parents forced me into child labour in their home-based sewing business. I was ten years old. My parents would work from 8 am until midnight, seven days a week.

I ran away from home in my teens, and after becoming pregnant at 19, I was disowned by my family, living on the streets for a short period. Eventually finding work, I got back on my feet bit by bit.

I didn't have freedom growing up. But even as an adult, you must still answer to your boss. So, I decided to start my own business because I felt that that was the only way.

One day a friend of mine whose family ran nail salons gave me some nail polish. I was like, "Oh, what are these?" When I discovered they cost a dollar, I said, "Ooh, I can sell them for $15."

I had no real understanding of business, which was an advantage because I had no fear. I built a website and realised I needed digital marketing, SEO and AdWords. I didn’t have the skills to do any of it and needed to outsource. Having limited funds, I discovered there were people overseas with all the skills who were much cheaper.

The nail polish business wasn’t as successful as I had hoped, but the experience helped me to build a network. I met other business owners trying to do what I had done and gave them tips. They’d say, "Oh, that sounds a bit difficult. Can you do it for me?" And that's how I started my marketing agency.

After a few years, I realised that the model wasn't scalable because I was the middleman project managing the work. So I thought, "How can I just give you the resource?” That's how Outsourcing Angel got started.

So smart and simple. I love that you've created jobs for people in developing countries. Was that something that you were passionate about from the beginning?

I think when you're starting anything in life, you do it for selfish reasons. I was a broke single mum, and no one believed in my dreams. Along the way, you start to love what you do. You love the people you're working with.

The first time I went to the Philippines in 2016, I realised that I was actually solving a problem for them. The travel time to work can be two or three hours, and they’re also mums and dads. Outsourcing Angels meant they could work from home. They were also earning a lot more than they could locally. Income that supported their mum, dad, sister, and everyone living in the family.

Oh, that's so wonderful. Reflecting on your business success, what would you say was key?

I think really early on, you have to develop the courage to actually hire and scale before you’re ready. I remember hiring my first personal assistant in Australia. It felt a lot scarier than hiring contractors. I didn't feel like I had the money sitting there, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

When you hire and are not fully ready, you push yourself to make the money to make it work. It's almost like telling the universe, "This is my only way." And then try your best, and somehow things happen. Opportunities come, maybe a shift in how you see your strategy or business model, or you hustle more.

You find yourself overwhelmed when you’re playing safe, waiting for the perfect moment. When you really need help, you are too busy to get it.

Great advice, Linh! I’m sure lots of small business owners can resonate with this. As a busy mum to three kids, I know you also enjoy outsourcing in your home.

I've always had that mindset that I want to do things I'm happy with. When I had my baby, I knew I still needed to go out with my friends. There are certain things I don't like to do, and I’d rather be doing something else. So I was always trying to find a way to get it done by someone else. Like having a cleaner, I’d pay for as much as I could afford at the time. Now I can afford it, I have someone that comes every day.

Linh invested in getting her entire home organised by our team

You’ve been on a decluttering journey recently. How did that start?

Learning about minimalism and decluttering and watching shows like the Home Edit inspired me. I said, "I would love to find someone to do that for my house." And I couldn't believe I met you, I'm like, "Oh my god, there is a Home Edit in Australia."

I’d tried to do it myself. I went to Kmart and bought all these plastic things. My husband laughed as he looked at those ugly trays I had bought. It was all different colours because Kmart ran out of stock. But now it’s been done properly, it's still in perfect condition several months later.

So good to hear that, Linh. You got rid of a lot of stuff, as well.

Has that changed your outlook on bringing new stuff into your home?

Yeah, a hundred per cent. I feel like it's a muscle you build. I remembered over ten years ago, I heard that your outside environment reflects your inside. You'll feel more at peace and clarity if you clean your environment. I no longer keep things for that rainy day. I knew I could let go of things even before meeting you and felt a sense of satisfaction from doing it.

But what's different about working with someone like you is you challenge me to the next level. Asking me, "Do you really want this?" It's like having a business or life coach that really challenges you and makes you see what’s important.

Women find it hard to invest in getting the help they need at home. Women often say to us, "Oh, I'm just useless. I can't keep on top of things." We're like, "No, just hang on a minute. You've got a super busy career. You've got kids. You might be looking after other family members…. And you need to make time for your health and wellness as well." What would you say to those women?

I think as human beings, when we can see something, we feel it's tangible. Let's say, "Oh, I've worked so hard. I'm going to go and spend on a thousand-dollar bag," or splurge on clothes or makeup because you can physically see it. But then you're complaining about, "I don't have time. My house is messy, it’s stressing me out”

We use all the available money to buy things that don’t solve our problems. We must remind ourselves that we can buy back our time by outsourcing. Sometimes people say, "Yeah, I've got a cleaner. They come once a month, and it's the best." How about you create more of the best?

If you hire someone to declutter your bedroom, which was great, why don't you declutter your other five rooms instead of buying the handbag you don't need?

Linh,I was there myself when I was in my corporate career, always online shopping. You get that temporary high of, "Oh, I've bought something nice." But then, over time, that stuff becomes a burden because you've got too much of it. You feel more relaxed when you declutter and make your space more minimal. You don't want to buy more because you want to protect your space.

Totally!

Brilliant advice and outlook on life, Linh. It’s been a pleasure working with you and hearing your story. Congratulations on all that you've achieved because you really are an inspiration. Thanks for spending the time to talk with us.

Thank you so much, Lisa. I really enjoyed our conversation.

If you feeling overwhelmed by all the possessions in your home or want to get more organised, get in touch. We’d love to help you curate your home and life.