Table of contents
Why a Virtual Assistant is Your Business’s (and Your) Savior
Final Thoughts: Stop Trying to Be a One-Person Show
Contributors
Paul Sial
CMO, AbroadWorks
Ah, the life of a small business owner or founder—juggling a million tasks, drinking coffee like it’s water, and occasionally wondering if sleep is just a myth. Sound familiar?
Running a small business can feel like a constant uphill battle. You’re the CEO, marketer, customer support rep, and accountant, all rolled into one. This relentless juggling act often leads to burnout, decreased productivity, and ultimately, threatens your business’s growth.
If you’re nodding your head, it’s time to talk about the magical world of virtual assistants—specifically, the wonders of hiring a virtual assistant in the Philippines or from other offshore locations. Trust me, your sanity (and your business) will thank you.
Why a Virtual Assistant is Your Business’s (and Your) Savior
Let’s face it: you didn’t start your business to spend hours on admin tasks, customer service emails, or social media scheduling. Yet, here you are, drowning in a sea of to-dos. A recent study by the Harvard Business Review indicated that nearly 80% of small business owners experience burnout at some point in their careers. According to a study by Gallup, 23% of small business owners work more than 60 hours a week, and burnout is a real threat. (Okay, we may have exaggerated slightly for dramatic effect, but the stats from many reputable sources confirm that stress and overwork are very real challenges.)
When you try to handle everything—from accounting and customer service to marketing and data entry—your focus and efficiency plummet faster than a lead balloon. Delegation isn’t just a management tactic; it’s a survival strategy.
Enter the virtual assistant, your new best friend.
- The Perils of Wearing Too Many Hats: As a business owner, your focus should be on high-level strategy, not getting bogged down in administrative tasks. A virtual assistant can expertly handle every aspect of your business—from scheduling appointments, managing emails, and conducting detailed research to handling accounting, bookkeeping, social media marketing, customer support, data entry, project management, travel arrangements, and more—allowing you to focus on what matters most.
This frees you up to focus on what you do best – growing your business.
Delegation isn’t just about offloading tasks; it’s about freeing up your time to focus on what you do best—growing your business. Whether it’s accounting, marketing, or customer support, a virtual assistant can handle the nitty-gritty while you strategize, innovate, and maybe even take a nap.
- Conquer Your Weaknesses: Every entrepreneur has weaknesses. Maybe you’re a marketing whiz but hate accounting. Or perhaps customer service drains your energy. A virtual assistant can fill those gaps, providing expert support in areas where you lack expertise.
- Unlock Cost-Effective Growth: Hiring a full-time employee comes with significant overhead costs – salaries, benefits, office space, and more. A virtual assistant offers a flexible and cost-effective solution.
The last point above is one of the most compelling arguments for hiring a virtual assistant, which is the significant cost savings compared to local hires. Consider this: hiring a full-time administrative assistant in North America can set you back anywhere from $35,000 to $60,000 per year in salary alone. By contrast, hiring an offshore virtual assistant in the Philippines might cost you half or even 1/3 of that. Other great offshore options include assistants from Canada, South Africa, India, and Mexico.
A study by Forbes found that businesses that leverage offshore virtual support can save up to 60% on operational costs while still maintaining high-quality work. This is because many offshore virtual assistants are highly skilled, bilingual, and well-versed in global business practices. With technological advancements and reliable internet connectivity, geographical distance is hardly an issue anymore in 2025.
Final Thoughts: Stop Trying to Be a One-Person Show
Running a business is hard enough without trying to do everything yourself. Hiring a virtual assistant—whether from the Philippines, Mexico, or elsewhere—can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
Small business owners and founders in North America need to realize that they can’t do it all on their own. Hiring a virtual assistant—especially tapping into talent from the virtual assistants from the Philippines—is not just a luxury; it’s a strategic necessity. By delegating tasks that drain your time and energy, you free up precious resources to focus on growth, innovation and perhaps even enjoying a little leisure time.
So, take a deep breath, delegate like a boss, and watch your business thrive.