When is small, too small?

 One of the most common misconceptions I hear from business owners is:

"I’m not big enough to need a Virtual Assistant."

And every time I hear it I nod and smile. In reality, the point when you start to feel like doing it all is getting a bit much is exactly when a VA can make the biggest difference.

In fact, outsourcing early can be the difference between businesses that grow steadily and sustainably from those that hit the wall and are left feeling overwhelmed, overstretched, and stuck.

So if you’ve ever thought you’re “too small” for help, think again. You might be more ready than you realise.

When is the right time to start working with a Virtual Assistant?

Here are some signs that it’s time to get some support:

1. Your inbox manages your day.

You spend your mornings firefighting emails, your afternoons trying to catch up, and by the end of the day you’ve barely touched what you set out to do. Important opportunities get missed, client responses are delayed, and you feel permanently "behind."

A VA (like me) can:

• Set up an efficient email management system

• Prioritise and flag what needs your attention

• Handle standard responses, bookings, and follow-ups

• Keep your communication timely and professional, all without you living in your inbox

2. Your diary feels chaotic.

Back-to-back meetings, double bookings, and important calls slipping through the net. Trying to manage your calendar on top of everything else creates unnecessary friction (and stress).

A VA (like me) can:

• Manage your diary day-to-day

• Book, confirm, and reschedule meetings professionally

• Protect focus time in your calendar

• Make sure you’re in the right place, with the right information, at the right time

3. You’re doing £10 tasks when you should be doing £100 or 1000 tasks.

As a business owner, your most valuable activities are things like building client relationships, strategic planning, delivering your expertise, and selling your services. Yet many spend their time formatting documents, updating spreadsheets, or chasing invoices because this is what they’ve always done.  It was necessary when they started but now they’ve grown they could let go.

A VA (like me) can:

• Take over the admin tasks

• Set up templates, trackers, and automations

• Keep things moving in the background so you can stay focused on the high-value work that only you can do

4. You know you need systems, but you can't stop long enough to figure them out or set them up.

You tell yourself you'll set up that CRM next week. Organise those files next month. Automate that process when you have "more time." But "more time" never comes, and the daily grind gets harder.

A VA (like me) can:

• Help you set up simple, scalable systems tailored to your business

• Organise your files and folders so you can always find what you need

• Create and maintain process documents, templates, and checklists

• Suggest and implement tech tools that make your business run smoother

5. You’re cream-crackered!

You didn’t start your business to work every evening and weekend. Yet that’s exactly what can happen when your admin piles up alongside client work.

Burnout isn’t just unpleasant, it limits your creativity, damages your relationships, and stunts your business growth.

A VA (like me) can:

• Lift the weight of "everything else" off your shoulders

• Create breathing room for you to think, create, and recharge

• Help you work on your business, not just in it

It’s not about being big enough if you’re ready.

The idea that you have to "earn" the right to outsource by reaching a certain size is outdated.

Outsourcing is a strategy for growth not a reward for already being super successful.

✅ It's creating the space you need to work at your best.

✅ It's protecting your time and energy for what matters most.

✅ It's investing in your business before you reach breaking point.

The earlier you start delegating, the sooner you’ll see the benefits:

• Faster decision-making

• More of the day to day gets done

• Better customer experiences

• More time to think, grow, and lead

And crucially: you’ll feel more in control again.

Start small. Build smart.

You don’t have to hand over everything at once. Most of my clients start with just a few hours a month and focus on one key area, like inbox management or getting their files organised.

Once they see how much extra time and room to think it creates, they often naturally expand the support over time.

Outsourcing isn't a sudden leap, it’s a series of small smart steps.

And when you find the right VA (someone who understands your business, communicates clearly, and works proactively), it’s one of the best partnerships you’ll ever build.

Ready to take something off your plate?

If you've had that nagging thought about needing some help, listen to it. It is your subconscious telling you! 

I'd love to help you find that space to think.

📩 You can get in touch with me via www.takeuptheslack.com Or feel free to send me a message here on LinkedIn.

Let’s have a no-pressure chat about what’s possible even with just a few hours a month.

Until next time

Lisa