Make Your First Hire For Your Small Business

Hiring for your small business is a huge milestone. Congratulations! You've built something worth expanding and need an extra set of hands (or maybe even a few sets). But where do you start? How do you know if you're ready, and what type of support should you seek? 

Smart Small Businesses Start with VAs First

For many small businesses, a virtual assistant can be the perfect way to test the waters before committing to a part-time or full-time hire.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about making your first hire, from setting goals to considering virtual assistants (VA) as a flexible first option. We’ll answer questions like: 

• How do I know it’s time to hire? 

• What are the steps to make a solid first hire? 

• And, why should I consider a virtual assistant before going all in?

  
  

When Is the Right Time to Make Your First Hire?

Running a small business often means juggling endless tasks and wearing multiple hats. However, at a certain point, you can’t do it all without risking burnout or, worse, stalling your business growth. So, how do you know when it's time to bring someone else into the picture?

Here are some signs it may be time to make your first hire:

• Tasks are slipping through the cracks: Deadlines get missed, or quality starts to suffer.

• You’re turning down new business: You can’t grow because you're maxed out.

• You’re spending too much time on non-revenue tasks: Admin tasks are taking over.

• Your work-life balance is suffering: You’re working longer hours but not seeing better results.

If any of these resonate, hiring may not just be beneficial—it might be essential to keep your business moving forward.

What Kind of Support Does Your Small Business Need?

Before you dive into the hiring process, get clear on what you actually need help with. Ask yourself: 

• What tasks are eating up my time but could be delegated? 

• Do I need help with administrative work, customer service, marketing, or something else? 

• Is my need short-term, seasonal, or ongoing?

Answering these questions can help you prioritize roles and set realistic expectations for a new hire. For instance, if you primarily need help managing emails, scheduling, or updating social media, you might not need a full-time employee just yet. Instead, consider a virtual assistant (VA) to handle these tasks on a flexible, hourly basis. Not only can a VA provide instant relief, but this approach lets you test the waters without committing to a full-time position immediately.

Why Hiring a Virtual Assistant Is Your Best First Step

When considering your first hire, virtual assistants offer a lot of advantages for small businesses:

• Cost-effective: With a VA, you’re not responsible for employee benefits, office space, or equipment.

• Flexible commitment: VAs can work on an hourly basis, so you can increase or reduce hours as your needs fluctuate.

• Specialized skills: Many virtual assistants specialize in areas like customer service, social media management, or email marketing, which allows you to bring in targeted expertise.

In fact, at Moonwake Collaborative, we’ve seen firsthand how VAs can fill immediate needs, help stabilize operations, and open doors for business owners to focus on growth. Plus, you can use this period to assess if certain tasks require someone in-house or if remote, project-based work suits your needs just fine. Curious what a VA can actually handle day-to-day? Check out What Does A Virtual Assistant Do For Your Business?, and when you’re ready to maximize that support, see How To Use Your VA

The Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your First Hire for Your Small Business

Here’s a quick roadmap to help you make your first hire, whether you go the VA route or decide to onboard someone in-house.

Step 1: Define the Role and Responsibilities

Write a detailed list of duties, expectations, and skills required. Be specific. If you're leaning toward hiring a virtual assistant, outline which areas they’ll focus on.

Step 2: Decide on a Hiring Approach

Determine whether you need a VA, a part-timer, or someone full-time. Starting with a VA can be a smart way to determine the amount of support you truly need without the pressure of a long-term commitment.

Step 3: Set a Budget

Factor in not just the cost of hiring but also training, onboarding, and, if applicable, benefits. A VA often provides a cost-effective solution since they’re typically independent contractors.

Step 4: Post the Job or Reach Out to an Agency

If you’re looking for a virtual assistant, reach out to an agency like Moonwake Collaborative that specializes in pairing small businesses with the right VA support. Agencies handle the vetting process, saving you time and effort.

Step 5: Conduct Interviews and Trial Assignments

For VAs, you can start with a small project or a limited number of hours to gauge performance. This trial period allows you to see how well they handle tasks and whether they’re a good fit for your business culture.

What to Expect from Your First Hire Experience

Hiring a VA is a learning experience. Here are some tips to help you manage expectations and set yourself up for success:

• Expect to invest time in training: Even the most experienced hires need onboarding and to familiarize themselves with you and your business.

• Provide regular feedback: VAs and employees alike thrive with clear direction and consistent feedback.

• Monitor workload and outcomes: Track how the new hire is impacting your workload and business growth. This helps in assessing if you need to scale up support or adjust responsibilities.

FAQ: Common Questions About Making Your First Hire

Why should I consider a virtual assistant instead of hiring an employee?

A virtual assistant offers flexibility, specialization, and cost-effectiveness, making it a great option for small businesses that may not need full-time support.

How do I choose the right virtual assistant for my business?

Look for agencies like Moonwake Collaborative, which match your needs with skilled VAs. Define your requirements and look for someone with experience in the areas you need help with, such as social media or customer service.

Is it hard to manage a remote worker like a VA?

Not at all! With tools like Slack, Asana, and Zoom, communication and collaboration are seamless. Most VAs are pros at working remotely and are familiar with various online tools.

How much should I expect to spend on a VA?

The cost can vary based on experience and expertise. Many VAs work hourly, allowing you to scale up or down as needed, making it more budget-friendly than a traditional hire.

Building Your Small Business Support System with Moonwake Collaborative

At Moonwake Collaborative, we know how hard it is for small business owners to hand over tasks and entrust others with their vision. As a woman-owned small business, we’ve walked this path ourselves. That’s why we offer virtual assistant and digital marketing services designed specifically for small businesses, giving you the flexibility and freedom to grow at your own pace.

With our support, you can:

• Focus on business growth while we handle the day-to-day operations.

• Test different support options without overcommitting financially.

• Scale your team as needed with specialized VA expertise or full-service digital marketing.

Whatever your needs are, our collaborative and flexible team has you covered.

Conclusion

Making your first hire for your small business is a significant step. For many small business owners, hiring a virtual assistant through Moonwake Collaborative is the ideal way to start. It allows you to bring in flexible, affordable support that adapts to your needs as they evolve.

Remember, you don’t have to go it alone. Your first hire can be the beginning of a more sustainable, balanced, and profitable business journey.