How to Know You’re Ready to Hire an OBM + Virtual Assistant (and Why It’s the Best Move for Your eCommerce Business)

If you’re thinking about hiring an OBM + Virtual Assistant, you might be wondering how to know you are ready to hire an OBM + Virtual Assistant. Especially if you’ve been running your business as a solopreneur, it can be difficult to feel confident hiring the right OBM + Virtual Assistant. 

Running an eCommerce business can be exciting and fulfilling, but let’s be honest, it’s also A LOT. You wear all the hats: CEO, marketer, strategic operations, customer service rep, product manager, and admin… and some days, it feels like you’re drowning in the never ending to-do list.

If you’re feeling the pressure, it might be time to bring in some support. Enter the dream team: an Online Business Manager (OBM) and a Virtual Assistant (VA). Together, they help you manage and scale your business while keeping your sanity intact.

I  will share some tips and ways that you can know for sure that you are ready to take this next step and hire an OBM + Virtual Assistant for your business.

OBM + Virtual Assistant Service

What is an OBM + Virtual Assistant?

Let’s touch on exactly who an OBM + Virtual Assistant is and what they can do for your business. When it comes to your business, an OBM + Virtual Assistant can help you with anything that can be done virtually. It all depends on the type of tasks you want your OBM + Virtual Assistant to help you with, their specialties, and if you are willing to train your OBM + Virtual Assistant on your specific needs in other areas of your business.

Quite simply, an OBM is an online business manager that plans the work and a VA does the work. An OBM+VA is someone that does both! Win-Win!

An OBM + Virtual Assistant can help you with many tasks, including customer service, Shopify admin, social media, inbox management, and so much more. You can check out my full list of services right here.

Not sure if you’re ready to take the leap? Here are some obvious signs it’s time to hire an OBM + VA and why this combo could be a game changer for your eCommerce business.

Ways to Know You Are Ready to Hire an OBM + Virtual Assistant

You’re Doing Things You Don’t Enjoy (and It’s Draining You) 

If you are bogged down and find yourself doing things in your business that you don’t enjoy and don’t want to be doing, it’s time to hire an OBM + Virtual Assistant to help take those tasks off your shoulders. 

As a business owner, your energy is one of your most valuable resources. If you’re spending hours on admin work, customer inquiries, or social media scheduling and hating every minute of it you’re not spending your time where it counts and certainly not alone. An OBM can help you strategise and manage your operations, while a VA takes care of those day to day tasks that eat up your time.

Imagine being able to hand off those time consuming responsibilities and focus on the parts of your business you love. With an OBM taking charge of systems and strategy in their specialisation and a VA handling execution and nurturing client relationships you’ll have more time for creative ideas, product development, scaling, and growing your business. This shift not only brings you joy but also drives your business forward in ways you hadn’t imagined.

As the CEO, it’s important to focus your time and attention on the business tasks that move the needle forward; leave the rest to your OBM + Virtual Assistant!

You are overwhelmed, overbooked, or feeling stressed out about your business.

A good sign that you are ready for an OBM + Virtual Assistant is if you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed out about your business. An OBM + Virtual Assistant can come in and help you refocus as those little tasks are taken care of.

If your list of things to do feels like it’s neverending and you’re constantly playing catch-up, it’s a clear sign you need support. An OBM steps in as a project manager, overseeing workflows, and systems, while a VA tackles execution. Together, they free you up to focus on growth and the big picture of your strategy.

Think about those moments when you’re scrambling to meet deadlines or missing out on opportunities because you’re stuck in the weeds of your business. An OBM creates structure and ensures your business runs smoothly, while a VA keeps daily operations ticking along. This balance reduces stress and prevents burnout, giving you the mental clarity you need to lead with confidence.

Things are falling through the cracks with your business, clients, and customers.

As you become busier with the recurring tasks or things you don’t enjoy, it’s expected that things will start to fall through the cracks of your business. Let's say you’re so busy that you are missing out on follow-ups, meetings, engaging with your customers or clients, or missing out on orders, business opportunities, and forgetting to respond to important emails, it’s time to hire an OBM + Virtual Assistant to help you. 

When you’re juggling too much, things start slipping and that's costing you customers and revenue. An OBM keeps your business organised and efficient, and a VA ensures those crucial touchpoints happen on time and with care.

Consistency and boundaries are key to building trust with your audience. When your systems are managed well and your customer experience is on point, clients feel heard, valued and respected. An OBM designs those systems, and a VA executes them, creating a seamless experience that enhances your brand’s reputation and fosters customer loyalty.

You have the budget for an OBM + Virtual Assistant.

The value of hiring an OBM + Virtual Assistant is not just about what they can do for you but also how much time they can give you back. Your time is money! Hiring an OBM + Virtual Assistant should always be looked at as a business investment, not an extra cost. It’s an investment in your business growth and your own wellbeing. The time and mental space they give you back allow you to focus on revenue generating activities and strategic decisions with a clear mind. The bonus is, that happier customers and smoother operations mean better retention and increased profits.

Let’s put it in another perspective: How much is your time worth? Every hour spent on admin tasks or troubleshooting is an hour not spent on strategy, product innovation, or client acquisition. By investing in expert support, you amplify your productivity and position your business for sustainable growth.

Why an OBM + Virtual Assistant Combo Works So Well 

Think of an OBM as your right hand. They handle the big picture strategy, systems, and management. A VA is your doer, they execute those tasks that keep your business running day to day. Together, they create a powerhouse support system that helps your business thrive without you having to micromanage every little thing.

The synergy between an OBM and VA ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Your OBM acts as a strategic partner, identifying opportunities and creating efficient workflows, while your VA brings those plans to life. This collaboration results in a well-oiled machine that drives productivity, profitability, and peace of mind.

Ready to build your dream support team? CustomeRISE Co specialises in supporting women in eCommerce grow their businesses with personalised customer experience, admin and personal assistance support. Let’s chat and see how we can support your next stage of growth!

If you’re looking for an OBM + Virtual Assistant, please check out my website for more information about how we can work together!