How to Hire Your First Employee Without Losing Your Mind

A few months ago, I took a couple days off and was hit with this wave of anxiety, not because I was behind on work, but because I knew I had small admin tasks waiting for me. Tasks I could do, but they were draining more brainpower than they were worth.

That’s when it hit me: it’s time for help.

Cue the internal freakout. Followed by the clarity.

The Truth About Hiring Your First Team Member

Hiring your first employee, or in my case, a virtual assistant, is a big moment! It's exciting and means growth. But let’s be honest, it’s also a little terrifying.

Most of the fear doesn’t just come from the financial side of things, it’s about letting go. Your business is your baby, your name, your reputation and now you're about to hand off parts of it to someone else? That’s a big deal!

But here’s the thing: you can hire someone without losing your mind. You just need to go in with a plan.

One of the biggest mistakes I see small business owners make is rushing to hire just because they’re overwhelmed. They know they need help, so they bring someone on but they don’t take the time to define what they actually need that person to do.

That’s a fast track to frustration for both you and your new hire.

When I realized I needed support, I sat down and made a list of everything I could potentially hand off. Then I started to see patterns- some tasks were more content-related, some more operational, some were about outreach.

From there, I began organizing things into phases. I knew I wanted my VA to start slow, get to know me, understand my business, and learn my voice before diving into things like writing captions. That approach made it feel manageable (for both of us).

If you're in this stage right now, I highly recommend grabbing my free job description template with AI prompts. It'll help you get everything out of your head and onto paper.

My Favorite Way to Figure Out Who You Actually Need

One tool I always come back to is my Delegation Worksheet. I’ve used it with clients and I even used it for myself when hiring my VA.

It’s not just about listing tasks, it’s also about spending time reflecting. What do you want to let go of? What’s draining you? What could someone else easily do with a little guidance?

When you start to look at your to-do list through that lens, the role you need becomes so much clearer. You're not just hiring a person, you’re building support in a way that aligns with your energy and goals.

I get it. Sometimes you hit a wall and think, "I just need someone—anyone—to help me." But if you hire in a panic, you’re more likely to make a choice that doesn’t actually solve the problem.

What helped me was paying attention to my own warning signs. I wasn’t just tired I was mentally exhausted. Even after time off, I felt drained. That’s when I knew: this wasn’t just a busy season. It was a sign that something needed to change.

Why It Feels So Hard to Let Go

Letting someone into your business can feel like giving them the keys to your house. You’ve built it and you know every nook and cranny (and where the bodies are buried). Now you’re supposed to trust someone else to care for it? Yep, it can be scary, but such an important step to grow.

You can’t scale your impact, your income, or your energy if you’re holding everything yourself. And honestly, the freedom that comes after hiring someone you trust? Worth it.

Employee or Contractor? What’s the Difference?

I hired a contractor for this role because I wanted the flexibility for both them and for me. My VA works on their own time, in a way that fits into their schedule. Most of what I need doesn’t have strict deadlines, and I’m not directing exactly how things get done.

But if you’re hiring someone to manage your inbox, be available at certain times, or respond quickly to clients? You might need an employee. That comes with different expectations and legal requirements too. Classification matters!

Final Thoughts for First-Time Employers

Hire someone who actually likes doing the things you need help with, be clear, and don’t forget to think long-term. It’s also important to note that each person brings their own fresh ideas and perspectives. Your business can grow in beautiful ways when you welcome new energy and skills. You don’t need to have it all figured out, but a little prep goes a long way.

Ready to Start?

You’ve got this, and I’ve got a tool to help: my free job description template with AI prompts.

Whether you’re hiring a VA, a part-time coordinator, or your very first employee, this will help you get crystal clear on what you need—before you even post the job.

Hiring should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Let’s make it feel good from day one.