Why Contractors Are Core to Acadia Bay’s Business Model

When I first started Acadia Bay, I wasn’t trying to build a specific business model. I was just trying to help a customer who wanted to keep working with several independent contractors after a contract had ended, so I brought those contractors under one umbrella, and suddenly, I had a company.

Over time, I realized this model worked surprisingly well. Contractors often have deep experience and value flexibility over perks or titles. If you treat them with respect, pay them well, and set clear expectations, they will prioritize your work and come back when you need them. That consistency benefits our customers more than anything else.

But to be clear, it's also about the kind of contractors you hire. I've run into many people starting companies these days that just contract with a large offshore team so they can mark up the price and make money with little effort. It may work for some but this is not my preferred model. I've found with these teams, the staff assigned to a project or customer often change, and sometimes they don't have the know-how that they're touted as having. Customers end up frustrated and are soon looking for a new partner.

Instead, I prefer to hire contractors directly, and interview them like I would a full-time hire. I want the personal relationship and to really understand what it is they're looking for. If you can tap into your own network and get personal referrals, even better. 

Some people worry about using contractors, but I’ve found that when you invest in the right ones and they’re happy, they’re more willing to go the extra mile, even when a customer needs help but doesn’t have budget for extra hours. And since they’re only paid for the hours they work, it’s much more cost-effective than hiring full-time staff I can’t always fully utilize. 

What do you think? Do you use contractors? For which jobs and for how much of your business? If you do, do you find you have high project turn-over?