Let’s be honest: growing a business is hard enough without adding the headache of hiring the wrong people. Sound familiar? You’re juggling multiple roles, your to-do list never ends, and every hour wasted on wrong hires feels like burning cash. Ever wonder why scaling sometimes feels like an impossible puzzle? The answer often comes down to your hiring strategy—especially when it comes to virtual assistants (VAs).
The Growing Dependency of Business Growth on Hiring the Right People
Hiring isn’t just about filling seats. Your business growth directly depends on having the right talent, the right support system, and the right approach to delegation. Founder Todd Anderson knows this firsthand. When scaling his own operation, Todd didn’t dive headfirst into full-time local hires. Instead, he leaned into offshore talent, leveraging international teams to crack local hiring challenges.
Why offshore? Because in markets like the US or Canada, finding quality full-time specialists at reasonable costs can be a bottleneck. The process bogs down due to lack of talent, fierce competition, or sky-high salary demands. Todd’s experience echoes a practical truth: the best solution is often to look beyond traditional boundaries.
So What's the Solution? Understanding Part-Time vs Full-Time Virtual Assistants
If you’re wavering over whether to hire a dedicated full-time VA or bring on a part-time one, it helps to break down the cost, commitment, and utility of each option.
Part-Time Virtual Assistant: Cost-Effective Flexibility
The cost of a part-time VA is lower because you’re only buying the hours you need. But how many hours do I need a VA? That depends on your workload. For many small businesses, hiring a VA for 10 hours a week is a smart way to start—enough time to offload routine tasks without the overhead of a full-time salary.
- Pros: Lower cost, less commitment, flexible scheduling, excellent for project-based or intermittent needs. Cons: Limited availability, may take longer to onboard & train repeatedly, potential for divided attention if the VA supports multiple clients.
Dedicated Full-Time VA: Your Right Hand Every Day
A dedicated full-time VA works roughly 30-40 hours a week exclusively for you. This creates continuity, deep knowledge of your business, and hands-on availability when you need it most.
- Pros: Consistent support, faster turnaround on tasks, better relationship and deeper understanding of business processes. Cons: Higher upfront cost, riskier if business needs fluctuate, requires more upfront trust and management.
How to Decide?
If your calendar is packed and you find yourself wishing you had reliable, daily help, a dedicated full-time VA makes sense. If your needs are cyclical or you want to test the waters, start with a part-time VA for around 10 hours weekly and scale up.
Factor Part-Time VA Dedicated Full-Time VA Typical Hours/Week Up to 20 (often around 10) 30-40 Cost Lower upfront cost Higher ongoing monthly cost Availability Limited, project-focused Consistent daily support Task Complexity Simple to moderate tasks Moderate to complex, strategic tasks Continuity Lower, because of fewer hours Higher, develops intimate knowledge of your businessThe Pitfall of Traditional Hiring Agencies: Post-Placement Support Gone Missing
Here’s something I see all too often: you go through the effort and expense of hiring a VA through an agency, and then that agency disappears the moment the contract is signed. No ongoing support, no performance check-ins, no safety net. You are left hanging as communication problems, misunderstanding expectations, or mismatched skills surface.
It’s a classic mistake to think hiring agencies will hold your hand beyond placement. They don’t—and it often results in frustration, wasted time, and cash. Sound familiar? Real support means ongoing training, consistent performance management, and a partnership mindset. Agencies like Lodestar Talent stand https://theceoviews.com/announcing-lodestar-talent-building-better-teams-for-the-future/ out because they understand this, offering continuous support designed for lasting success.
The Advantage of International Teams Leveraged Through Smart Outsourcing
Todd Anderson’s personal experience reveals a hidden truth: international teams combined with AI-driven tools form a powerful strategy. AI-driven tools can automate repetitive or data-heavy work, freeing up your VA’s time to focus on high-value, strategic tasks. Combine this with international talent pools like those sourced by STONEAGE, INC., and you get high-quality talent at a fraction of local costs, 24/7 coverage potential, and cultural diversity that sparks innovation.
Furthermore, professional associations such as The Canadian Fire Alarm Association highlight the importance of adhering to standards and regulations—even in virtual service delivery. Choosing experienced international VAs who respect these standards ensures your business stays compliant and professional.
Bottom Line: What Works in Real Life
Evaluate your workload honestly—figure out how many hours per week you truly need help. Hiring a VA for 10 hours a week is a great way to dip your toes in. Decide on dedication—do you want task-by-task support or a committed right-hand who deeply knows your business? Choose your partner wisely—avoid agencies that leave you post-placement. Seek out providers like Lodestar Talent or STONEAGE, INC. that offer real, ongoing support. Incorporate AI-driven tools to maximize your VA’s productivity and ensure you aren’t wasting hours on mechanical or redundant tasks. Embrace offshore talent to overcome local hiring shortages and tap into affordable, skilled labor pools.In the end, hiring a VA—whether part-time or full-time—should be a strategic decision, not a shot in the dark. When done right, delegating smartly using a well-supported virtual assistant is one of the most effective ways to break through growth barriers and scale your business without burning out.
Ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building a well-oiled machine? It all starts with hiring the right virtual assistant, the right way.