If you're serious about scaling your business, at some point you'll need a team. And when that time comes, there’s one hire that sets the foundation for everything else: your executive assistant.

Done well, this hire won’t just lighten your load—they’ll free up your energy, sharpen your focus, and help you lead more like a CEO and less like a task juggler.

But let’s be honest: hiring an EA isn’t always easy. It’s one of the most powerful hires you’ll make—and also one of the trickiest.

Here’s how to approach it strategically from the start.

Don’t Wait Too Long

Most entrepreneurs delay this hire. We wait until we’re drowning in to-dos, reacting to urgent fires, or feeling stretched too thin. The result? We end up hiring reactively—often pulling in a friend, neighbor, or babysitter who’s available, not necessarily equipped.

If you’re starting to feel like you can’t keep up, that’s your signal. Don’t wait until you’re desperate—hire from intention, not exhaustion.

Define What Success Looks Like (Before You Hire)

Before you post a job description, take time to create a clear scorecard. This isn’t a list of tasks. It’s a set of measurable outcomes—specific results your EA is responsible for delivering.

Examples:

• “Inbox filtered 3x/day, reducing CEO email load by 50%.”
  
• “Weekly team meeting notes delivered within 24 hours, with key action items tracked in Monday.”

This not only gives you clarity—it gives your EA a clear path to success. High performers want to win. Show them what winning looks like.

Consider the Whole Role (Not Just Work Tasks)

A great EA doesn’t just manage your calendar. They protect your energy across your whole life—including personal and household tasks.

Whether it’s scheduling flu shots, booking car maintenance, or managing back-to-school checklists, your EA can take ownership of the low-leverage tasks that drain your time and mental bandwidth.

(At Beyara, we even have a household management board in Monday. Think: recurring reminders, seasonal tasks, and “don’t forgets” you’ll never have to remember again.)

Know What Type of Person You’re Looking For

The best match isn’t just about skills—it’s about fit. Personality assessments (like DISC or Understand Myself) help you get to know yourself as a leader, and identify the kind of personality that complements yours.

Think less about finding someone with a flashy resume, and more about who will thrive in your business. Someone could have 20 years of experience—but if they don’t align with your pace, energy, or expectations, it won’t work.

Start With What You Shouldn’t Be Doing

One of our favorite hiring tools? The Delegate + Elevate framework.

Before writing your scorecard, look at your own task list:

• What drains your energy?
  
• What falls below your pay grade?
  
• What do you dread doing?
  
  

These are the perfect starting points for EA outcomes. Let them handle the details you don’t love—because someone out there thrives in that zone.

Don’t Just Hire—Lead

A great EA relationship doesn’t happen by accident. It takes communication, rhythm, and trust.

We recommend a 15–30 minute daily check-in. It’s not micromanaging—it’s momentum. Use it to stay aligned, remove roadblocks, and reset priorities quickly. Your EA should lead the meeting, share updates, and ask for anything they need from you.

Over time, this creates a shared cadence and culture of ownership.

Yes, Email Can Be Delegated

Email is one of the hardest things to let go of—and one of the biggest time-wasters if you don’t.

It may take several hires to get this right (ask us how we know 😅), but it’s possible. With the right systems in place, a skilled EA can cut your email time in half—without missing a beat.

Budgeting for Your First EA

What does it cost?

That depends on what you need. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Virtual Assistant (Philippines, Mexico): $6–10/hr
  
• U.S.-based VA or part-time EA: ~$20–30/hr or $45–65K/year
  
• Full-time experienced EA with benefits: ~$70K–$100K+
  
  

There’s no one “right” path. Start where you are. The key is knowing your priorities and matching the support level to your current stage.

Hire With the Future in Mind

AI is changing the game. Many EA tasks will soon be handled by smart tools—which means your EA needs to be a learner, not just a doer.

Look for someone who:

• Takes initiative
  
• Embraces new tech
  
• Thinks strategically, not just administratively
  

When your EA grows, your business scales.

Build a Business That Doesn't Rely on You Doing Everything

Hiring your first EA is a bold step toward becoming the leader your business needs—not just the operator keeping it afloat.

When you learn how to hire right, lead well, and offload the right things, you free yourself to think bigger, build better, and scale with so much more ease.

Want help making the right hire from the start?

👉 Download the Less Stress, More Success Hiring System

You’ll learn:

• How to define outcomes (not just tasks)
  
• The exact steps for finding and vetting candidates
  
• What to delegate now for maximum time freedom later
  

It’s the guide we wish we had when we started hiring—and it’s yours, free.