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I recently saw this Facebook post in a group I was in, talking about this subject. I was so intrigued with the comments that I had to write my own blog post on it.
One of the things we suggest and encourage with the clients we work with, is to hire a Virtual Assistant (VA) to take tasks off their plate. This is really vital in the solopreneur stage where we often work with clients in, as a Consultant and a Bookkeeper. One person simply CANNOT do it all (for very long). You will NOT expand the business that way. It's simple logistics. As one grows the business, there is more to handle and more to do. There is more communication, tasks, clients, etc.
One person simply CANNOT do it all (for very long). You will NOT expand the business that way.
Yes, it is not easy to hire or onboard a staff member or freelancer. Matter of fact, it takes more work in the beginning. It can be stressful and even more overwhelming. But you know what is even more stressful and overwhelming? Doing it yourself for too long and not reaping the rewards of an expanding business with more income so you can live the life you truly want.
Someone who doesn't want to hire a team to help them, is simply saying: I don't want to grow. I don't want to expand my business. I don't want to make more money. I've worked with too many solopreneurs to know the entire scene all too well. I've either helped them get their financial scene completely organized by implementing correct Bookkeeping and financial monitoring systems or I helped them organize their business to increase efficiency and profit. We always looked at expanding the business by getting team members in place.
Someone who doesn't want to hire a team to help them, is simply saying: I don't want to grow. I don't want to expand my business. I don't want to make more money.
Here are some reasons that I've heard entrepreneurs communicate on why they don't want to hire a VA. I will list each one with my feedback on that particular concern in the hopes that it helps someone with a similar concern, to reconsider their goals for their business.
Control Issues:
The solopreneur wants to ensure that everything is done a certain way. Well, that is where one as the owner of the business should be setting up systems and How-To's so they can put people on a "hat". If you outline your notes of how you do things and start creating a "How-To" doc, then you are setting yourself up for success. Then you can add help who can follow the instructions and do it the way you want.
Budget Concerns:
The person thinks they cannot afford it. VA's can be obtained for as little as $3/hr in some countries. For them, it's good money. For you, it's affordable. It's a win-win. Obviously if you can pay a bit more like $6-$10/hr, you will get a more competent person but I find that many of them can carry out tasks as long as the "How-To" is done well and there is good communication between the two of you. The next suggestion I have is to get your finances into Quickbooks Online (QBO) and monitor your business and financial scene. The reason I say this is because we implement a very specific tool that allows us to analyze our client's income and expenses and trust us, there is money misutilized. That money could be used to hire someone who can help a solopreneur GROW their business.
Too Much Time to Train:
Owners do not want to invest, yes I said INVEST, the time to train new people. It is an investment to your business and your SANITY. Most businesses do not expand or succeed overnight. It takes time, effort, creativity, discipline and a team! If you want to expand your business, if you want to make more money - you need to MAKE the time to create How-To's and train new people.
Owners do not want to invest, yes I said INVEST, the time to train new people. It is an investment to your business and your SANITY
DIY Entrepreneurs:
The solopreneur who thinks they are better off doing ALL the actions themselves. Ok, fine. Do it yourself. Let me know how you get to a six figure income or beyond doing it that way. If that's not your goal or if you don't need to expand your business to survive here on planet earth with the economy the way it changes - go ahead and DIY. It's a hobby though, at that point. It's something you do for fun and don't plan on making a business out of where you can pay your bills and know you have reserve or know you have increasing income to account for anything that might happen to you or your family.
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