When it comes to your business, are you all in and fully committed, or is your business more like a hobby? There’s a big difference between businesses that are run like a hobby and businesses that are run like businesses. (Just ask the IRS.) Your level of commitment really depends on what you want to get out of your business. Are you looking for something that will grow and support you and other people, or are you looking for extra Christmas money?
The more you put into your business – whether it’s monetary or good old fashioned elbow grease – the more you’ll get out of it. So if you just want to make custom hair bows for your daughter and her friends to wear to school, that’s a hobby. However, if you want to sell them nationwide, that’s a business. If you choose to make a business out of your hobby, it requires a commitment, one hundred percent.
Part of that means investing in your business. Many small business owners have no problem investing in office space, supplies, inventory, etc., but don’t hire the resources to help them. Those very resources are the Robins to your Batman. Hiring an in-house staff member is common; however, if you are interested in cutting costs right from the beginning, think about bringing on a virtual assistant.
A savvy virtual assistant can help you accomplish all the things you’d like to do. There’s a lot to running a business and delegating your social media, blog writing, marketing, graphics, CRM management, follow-ups, research, bookkeeping, and a slew of other things you might not even know you need yet will lighten your load (and less frazzled). Clients new to the VA world are often surprised how much value their virtual assistant brings to the table and appreciate their fresh ideas.
Let’s face it. Hiring an in-house employee can be spendy. There’s the overhead that includes heat, utilities, equipment, and time spent sick or at the water cooler. Not to mention the employer contribution to the government. Virtual assistants are independent contractors and take care of their own equipment, taxes, insurance, all those things you don’t need to think about.
Another advantage to hiring a virtual assistant is tapping into them for as many hours as you need. In other words, if you want to hire somebody for only five hours a week, that’s perfectly okay. An in-house employee probably wouldn’t want to show up for just five hours.
Virtual assistants are time savers and there are many other reasons to hire one, but if I wrote them all down at once we’d be here till Minnesota gets warm again. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur who doesn’t have enough support or someone who’s trying to turn their hobby into an established business, help is always a smart investment. A virtual assistant will help you turn your hobby into something amazing.
If you’re ready to make a serious commitment to your business, give me a call.
Until next time,
Angie
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