How to Hire Your FIRST Employee 👉 and how to know when you're ready
If you feel like you’re drowning in work and growing your business seems impossible without burning out, you’re not alone. Many photographers and entrepreneurs face this challenge—but there’s a solution: hiring your first team member.
Hi, I’m Vanessa Joy, and for over two decades, I’ve built not only a thriving photography business but also a successful online education brand. Through both journeys, one key strategy helped me grow: learning when and how to bring on team members.
The Turning Point: Why Hiring Is Essential
Scaling your business often feels like juggling too many hats. You’re the creative, the marketer, the admin—and it’s exhausting. I know firsthand how scary it can be to decide to hire someone:
- Am I financially ready for this?
- Will I find the right person?
- What if it doesn’t work out?
But here’s the truth: you can’t grow without help. When I finally made the leap and delegated responsibilities, my business transformed from surviving to scaling.
Who Should Be Your First Hire?
Think about the tasks you spend most of your time on that don’t directly generate revenue or fulfill your creative vision. This could be:
- Administrative work (emails, scheduling)
- Post-production (editing, album design)
- Marketing (social media management, content creation)
For me, handing over tasks like editing freed up hours I could reinvest in my clients and business strategy.
How to Get Started
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List Your Tasks
Write down everything you do in a week. Identify the repetitive or non-creative tasks that could be handed off. -
Start Small
Hire part-time, a freelancer, or an assistant for a trial period. It’s okay to take baby steps! -
Invest Wisely
Think of this as an investment in your growth, not an expense. You’re buying back your time. -
Use Tools to Support Delegation
Tools like project management apps or automation software can make the transition smoother for you and your hire.
The Results Are Worth It
Making your first hire isn’t just about reducing your workload—it’s about unlocking the potential to scale. You’ll find yourself more energized, focused, and capable of taking your business to the next level.
Trust me, I’ve been there. The first step is always the hardest, but once you make it, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.
