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Hey there! 👋
The next 4 newsletters are about a topic I get asked about a lot! Let's talk about the hire you keep putting off.
I've talked to so many creators who are drowning in admin work, spending hours on tasks they hate, and telling themselves "I can't afford help yet" while simultaneously turning down client work because they're out of capacity. The math isn't mathing, but the DIY spiral continues anyway.
Here's the thing: most of the time, it's not actually about the money. It's about admitting you need help. And for a lot of us, that feels uncomfortably close to admitting we can't handle it all.
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So let's skip the guilt and get into the actual signs you're ready.
You're turning down money because you're maxed out
If you're saying no to paid opportunities, you can afford help. That client you just passed on could have funded a part-time VA for three months. Worth doing the math before you decline the next one.
You're spending billable hours on non-billable work
Every hour you spend uploading content, managing your inbox, or organizing files is an hour you're not spending on work that actually generates revenue. When that gap starts feeling painful, that's your cue.
You have repeatable tasks that don't need your brain
If you can write down how to do something in under 30 minutes, (or faster with Loom) someone else can do it. Scheduling posts, answering routine emails, managing your calendar - none of these require your specific genius.
You've been "about to hire" for six months
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If hiring has been on your list for a while but keeps getting pushed, you're probably not waiting for the right moment. You're just scared. (Extremely normal. Still worth noticing.)
So who goes first?
Start with a Virtual Assistant at 5-10 hours per week. Not a business partner. Not a full-time employee. Just someone who can take the repeatable, documented stuff off your plate.
And let them do just that - don’t expect the world from them. Asking too much of your first hire is the easiest mistake to fall into. Set clear, repeatable tasks and then add on more as they master them.
Think: calendar management, social scheduling, inbox organization, basic research. Tasks you'd do in auto-pilot mode if you had nothing better to do.
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Cost is usually $10-25/hour depending on experience and location, and most creators find that even five hours a week feels like a completely different life.
Signs you're scared vs. actually unready
You can afford it but keep saying "not yet"
You're working 50+ hours a week but won't let anything go
You're convinced no one can do it as well as you
Here's the honest truth: they won't do it exactly like you. They'll do it their own way. And sometimes? Their way is better.
Your first hire isn't an expense. It's buying back time you can spend on higher-value work, better client relationships, or just not being exhausted all the time.
Start small. Five hours. One clear role. Simple processes. You can always grow from there.
Ready to make the move but not sure where to start? Let me know what concerns you have!
& check back the next few weeks where we’ll dive in onboarding, delegating and managing a team that’s remote!
💜 Tara
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