A Solopreneur is any business that is being maintained and operated by one person. This person is not only the owner but the operator and administrative person as well. As a solopreneur, it is easy to find yourself overwhelmed, overworked and stressed. It is for these very reasons that a Virtual Assistant (VA) is a great partner in business. Here are some great reasons to truly consider this partnership:

1. Don’t Have to Provide Space
Most solopreneurs are running their business from the comfort of their home. Many might even have their office set up in a corner of their living space and not in a designated room. When bringing in administrative support, this would mean having someone “invading” your space each day. Something not all solopreneurs and/or their families are willing to do.

2. VAs Take Care of Their Expenses
Unlike employees, VAs are subcontractors to your business and responsible for all their own expenses. They take care of wage-related expenses, office equipment, office space, vacations, holidays, training, etc. No longer are you obligated to or governed by labour-related laws and requirements.

3. Expertise
Luckily you can hire a VA with the specific skill(s) you require. In fact, can hire more than one, each with their own skillset to perform different tasks for your business. Many VAs are now moving towards operating multi-VA businesses which allow you the opportunity to have many skillsets available to you through one VA business.

4. Flexibility
VAs offer the flexibility to use them when you want and when it is convenient for your company. For many VAs, there is no obligation as to the number of hours you use them in any given period. You are also not governed to specific hours each day, nor to a minimum number of hours in each shift that your employee would work.

5. Time Savings
You can focus on what it is that you do best, while your VA takes care of the rest. You can focus on the stuff that makes you money rather than the stuff that doesn’t. Not only that, but by freeing up the time you normally spend on these tasks, you now have additional time to get back to your family, your hobbies and your interests instead of being consumed by your business day in and day out.

6. Money Savings
Over and above the ways we have already talked about that will be sure to save you money, you will only be paying for your VA when they are on task. You will not be obligated to pay them when they are going to the washroom, on a break, surfing the internet or speaking with their mother on the phone (because most employees have admitted to doing this during working hours).

7. Zero Obligation
With a Virtual Assistant, when the work is not there, there is no obligation to come up with a “make work” project to secure your relationship with the VA. The VA is available for you when you need them and during times when you cannot or do not want to perform the administrative tasks.

8. VAs are Business Owners
Unlike an employee, VAs are business owners and understand what it takes to run a business. This understanding means that your VA is more likely to provide you with ideas and suggestions to take your business to the next level.

9. No Geographical Boundaries
Not limited to the talent pool in your geographical area. Employees would be required to commute to their work place so you are limited to those that can commute within a reasonable distance. Similarly, if you are on vacation, you can work with your VA as if you were still at home. This frees you up to spend more time away from the office … one of the biggest perks of owning your own business.

10. Stress Reduction
When we spend all day and all night consumed by our business, soon we learn that our business is running us and not the other way around. By utilizing a VA, it will give you the opportunity to work less and your stress will in turn be reduced.

As a solopreneur, perhaps the biggest hurdle is to give up the “reins” as we are consumed with the feelings that we can do it all; that the business is our “baby” and no one will ever do it as well as we can. However, remember that sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is to take a step back and realize that you can’t do it all, nor do you want to. Start today by outsourcing those tasks you dislike doing most and, in most cases, these tasks can easily be handled by the right Virtual Assistant.