As a small business owner, you’ve poured your heart and soul into building your baby business from the ground up to what it is today. Every decision, every client interaction, and every administrative task has been yours to manage. But lately, you might be feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or simply unable to focus on growing your business. Let’s explore whether it’s time to bring in support.

Signs You Might Need Help

Take a moment to reflect on your daily operations. Do you find yourself working late into the night, unable to step away from your laptop? (Galina + Co was burning the midnight oil – well really the 10:10:30pm oil – for a bit before hiring two amazing virtual assistants) Are important tasks falling through the cracks? That constant feeling of playing catch-up isn’t just exhausting—it could be holding your business back from its full potential.

Many entrepreneurs hit a growth plateau not because of market conditions or lack of opportunities, but because they’ve reached the limits of what they can accomplish alone. If you’re turning down new clients or opportunities because you can’t handle more work, it’s a clear signal that additional support could unlock your next phase of growth.

Financial Readiness

Before diving into hiring, let’s address the elephant in the room: finances. Can your business sustain another salary/monthly payment?

Here’s a simple exercise:

Calculate your average monthly revenue for the past six months. Then, estimate how much time you spend on tasks that could be delegated, and what that costs your business in terms of missed opportunities. If hiring help would free you up to generate more revenue than their salary/monthly payment would cost, you’re likely in a good position to hire.

Remember, hiring support isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your business’s growth potential.

Systems and Organization: The Foundation for Success

Having someone to help is only valuable if they can hit the ground running. Take an honest look at your business operations:

• Do you have documented processes for daily tasks?
• Is your file management system organized and accessible?
• Are your client communications and project management tools streamlined?
• Do you have clear workflows that someone else could follow?

If you answered “no” to most of these questions, don’t worry—this is actually an opportunity. Consider starting with an Online Business Manager (OBM) (in need of an OBM, apply here to work with the amazing Galina + Co team) who can help establish these systems before bringing on a Virtual Assistant (VA). An OBM can create standard operating procedures (SOPs), implement efficient systems, and prepare your business for scale. And once ready, help onboard, train and over see the team.

Types of Support to Consider

1. Virtual Assistant (VA) Perfect for handling administrative tasks, email management, and basic customer service. Ideal when you have clear processes in place and need execution support.
2. Online Business Manager (OBM) More strategic than a VA, an OBM can help create systems, manage projects, and coordinate team members. They’re excellent for businesses that need both operational and strategic support.
3. Project-Based Specialists consider contractors for specific needs like web development, graphic design, or social media management. This can be a good way to start delegating without committing to full-time help.

Next Steps: Making the Decision

If you’re still unsure, try this approach:

1. Track your tasks for two weeks, noting everything you do and how long it takes
2. Highlight activities that don’t require your unique expertise
3. Calculate the time you could save by delegating these tasks
4. Consider what you could accomplish with those extra hours
5. Research the cost of the type of support you need
6. Start small if needed—perhaps with a part-time VA or project-based help

The Bottom Line

Remember, successful entrepreneurs don’t do everything themselves—they build teams that amplify their vision. If you’re consistently feeling overwhelmed, missing opportunities for growth, or unable to focus on strategic work, it’s likely time to consider hiring support.

The key is to be honest about your needs, realistic about your resources, and strategic about your approach. Whether you start with creating systems and SOPs or dive right into hiring help, taking this step could be the catalyst your business needs to reach its next level of success.

Your business deserves the chance to grow, and you deserve the opportunity to focus on what you do best. Sometimes, taking a step back to evaluate and delegate is the most powerful way to move forward.

Want to start getting systems in place for your business and not have to worry about team management after the hiring process? Let’s chat!