Let’s talk about entrepreneur life for a minute, shall we?
Yes, it comes with the perks we all dream about. The flexibility to control your schedule, the freedom to decide how much you work, and the power to choose how much money you make. It’s your business, your decisions, and your path to success.
But here’s the thing—it also means that if the money isn’t coming in, it’s all on you. If the work doesn’t get done, it’s on your shoulders. The same flexibility that allows you to take a mid-morning coffee break or go on vacation whenever you want, also means the responsibility for everything falls squarely on your plate.
If you want to grow your business, make money, and make progress, it is your responsibility to make it happen.
You Have to Do the Hard Work First
I can’t tell you how often I hear from entrepreneurs who are just starting out. They don’t want to do certain things in their businesses—whether it’s marketing, sales, or learning the ropes of operations—and that’s fine. You do have a choice. You can certainly hire someone to help with certain tasks.
But here’s the kicker: I see many entrepreneurs turning over tasks they don’t want to deal with to a virtual assistant (VA), and then they expect that person to turn their business into a money-making machine.
It doesn’t work that way.
Here’s the reality: Before you can hand over the reins, you have to do the hard stuff yourself. You have to learn the ins and outs of your business. That means understanding how to market your business, building relationships, talking to people, and learning how to close sales. These are the foundational skills that every entrepreneur needs to master, even if they’re not your favorite things to do.
I can’t count how many “icky” things I’ve had to learn to do in my own business. Trust me, there are plenty of tasks that I don’t love, but I do them because they are crucial to the success of my business. The truth is, nobody else will care about your business as much as you do. Nobody else will have the same passion and drive to make it work. That’s why it’s so important to get your hands dirty in the beginning.
Don’t Mistake a VA for a Business Strategist
Now, bringing someone on board to help you fulfill your mission is great—it can free up your time and allow you to focus on the bigger picture. But please, don’t mistake a virtual assistant for a business strategist. They are not the same thing, and expecting them to solve all your business problems is a recipe for disaster.
A VA can be a fantastic resource for handling tasks and keeping things organized, but they’re not going to create a winning strategy for your business. That’s your job. Either you need to come up with a solid strategy yourself and direct your VA on how to execute it, or you need to hire a real strategist—someone with the experience and expertise to take your business to the next level. And guess what? That’s going to cost real money. Good talent isn’t cheap, and expecting to pay peanuts for someone to solve all your business problems isn’t realistic.
A true strategist has spent years—decades, even—honing their craft. They’re worth the investment because they bring value, insights, and direction that can make a significant difference in your business. But with that expertise comes a higher price tag, and rightly so.
The Key to Success: Consistency
The secret to success in entrepreneurship isn’t flashy. It’s not about one big moment or a single magic solution. It’s about showing up every single day and doing the work. It’s about being consistent, even when you don’t feel like it—especially when you don’t feel like it.
There are plenty of days when I don’t feel like doing the hard stuff. But here’s the thing: I still show up. I show up day after day, even when it’s tough, even when I’d rather be doing something else. Because that’s what it takes to build a successful business.
Consistency is everything. It’s what separates the entrepreneurs who thrive from the ones who burn out. Doing the work, putting in the time, and showing up every day is how you grow your business, even when you’re tired, frustrated, or unsure of what’s next.
Own Your Business, Own Your Success
At the end of the day, entrepreneurship is about ownership. It’s about owning the decisions you make, the work you do, and the outcomes you achieve. You have the power to build the business of your dreams, but it requires effort, strategy, and the willingness to do the tough stuff.
So if you’re ready to take your business to the next level, here’s my advice:
- Do the hard things. Learn how to market your business, build relationships, and get comfortable with sales. These are the building blocks of success.
- Bring in help when you’re ready, but don’t expect a VA to be your business strategist. Understand the roles you’re filling and invest in the right kind of support.
- Be consistent. Show up every day, do the work, and keep moving forward, even when it feels like progress is slow. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when you commit to the journey.
Entrepreneurship is one of the most challenging and rewarding paths you can take, but remember, it’s all on you. You’ve got this—now go out and make it happen.
