As a solo entrepreneur, you’ve likely worked tirelessly to build your business from the ground up. Whether you’re a freelancer on Upwork or a bustling Shopify store, you’ve worn multiple hats, handled every task on your own, and made many sacrifices along the way. It’s natural to feel like you can handle everything on your own, but the truth is, there are only so many hours in a day. The more time you spend on administrative tasks, the less time you have to focus on growing your business and achieving your entrepreneurial dreams.
As your business has grown, I bet your stress has as well with all these little things knawing at your time. Suddenly, you find yourself struggling to keep up with the demands of your business, and you start to wonder how to maintain your business and your sanity!
It’s possible to get that sanity back. Trust me. I know how your business can sometimes grow out of your control. As a top freelancer on Upwork, the amount of work I could take on and manage got overshadowed by the number of people wanting to work with me. The stress piled on, and so did the check-ins and grinding consulting hours. That’s when I knew I needed some help.
You’re probably like me. I figured out that I was going to need to transition from being a solo entrepreneur to having a small team, but how? You might be worrying about the cost, the time commitment, and the risk of investing in a team that might not provide value down the road. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling to manage your workload, how can you limit your cost to do this while also saving yourself?
How to Transition from Solo Entrepreneur to Company
One potential solution is outsourcing. Outsourcing allows you to delegate tasks that are time-consuming or outside of your area of expertise to someone else, freeing up your time and allowing you to focus on the tasks that matter most to you.
The fastest way to start reducing your stress is by hiring a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant is an administrative professional who provides support remotely. They can handle a wide range of tasks, including email management, customer service, social media management, and scheduling. If you’re an e-commerce business, they can also do order management and fulfillment for your Shopify or WooCommerce store.
Virtual assistants can be game-changers, especially when they have the right skill set and fully understand your business. And because they work remotely, you don’t have to worry about finding office space or managing employee schedules. You only pay for the time they spend working on your tasks, which can be much more affordable than hiring a full-time employee.
What to Consider in Hiring a Virtual Assistant as a Solo Entrepreneur
If you’re considering hiring a virtual assistant as a solo entrepreneur, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to find the right fit for your business. Look for a virtual assistant with experience in your industry and a track record of success. You’ll also want to make sure they have the skills and expertise necessary to handle the tasks you’re delegating. This is tough when you don’t know where to find them or what skills you really need for your business processes.
Also, communication is extremely important when working with a virtual assistant. It’s obvious that cultural differences can create some hassles, but they’re manageable. If you’re from the US or a Western country, you’ll find that some virtual assistants from the Philippines or Pakistan might have a different association with time and work culture. To make sure you get set up for success early, be clear about your expectations, deadlines, and priorities with your virtual assistants. Also, set up regular check-ins to ensure everything is on track as this is key to establishing a good ongoing relationship.
The transition from solo entrepreneur to having a small team is challenging, but it’s also an exciting opportunity for growth and to reduce your stress as a business owner. If you’re struggling to manage your workload and considering expanding your business, outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant can be a game-changer.
So How do I find a Virtual Assistant as a Solo Entrepreneur?
If you want to talk about how to start your journey toward hiring some help, reach out to us here at Global Hola. As a digital nomad who owns a couple of e-commerce stores and is a top freelancer on Upwork, I constantly use virtual assistants to grow my businesses. At Global Hola, we help digital nomads and solo entrepreneurs find their perfect virtual assistant to grow their businesses and reduce their stress.