When you have your own small business, it’s natural to try to tackle everything yourself. Your business can feel like your child, and the idea of bringing someone else in to take care of even the smallest aspects can seem scary and unnecessary.

But bringing in a business expert doesn’t need to feel this way. When you find the right person, they’ll work with you and offer invaluable help to your company and brand. Many business experts can assist with things you could not do alone. Knowing the best time to bring in outside help is essential to making the experience as useful (and as pleasant) as possible.

The first step is to look at your small business with an objective eye. Imagine yourself as a potential client—does your small business still look as attractive to the customer as it does to you, the owner? Or are there aspects of the company that seem a little tired and unappealing? Be as honest with yourself as you can.

You'll also need to consider your market research. Perhaps at your company’s launch, you were an industry expert, with no limits to your knowledge. Is that still the case? Too often, the passage of a little time can have a significant impact. Chances are you haven't had time to keep up your market research as much as you’d like. It’s understandable—running a small business can take all your time—but a lack of current knowledge can be crushing to your company.

If aspects of your business or your industry knowledge could use a revamp, hiring a business expert could be an attractive idea. Remember, to make the collaboration as successful as possible, you need to have specific ideas about what you want. Before choosing a business expert to bring on board, outline your goals and a timeline to achieve them. This will help keep the process collaborative and help ease any feelings of losing control over your company.

Reluctance to bring in a business expert is natural but failing to do so can cause irreparable damage to your small business or brand. Be as objective and honest with yourself as possible—it will help you to recognize when the time comes to look for that extra help.