Launching and maintaining a business means juggling a hundred tasks at once. From managing your calendar to responding to emails and preparing client proposals, there’s only so much you can do before burnout hits 😧
That’s why hiring a remote executive assistant early sets you up for growth. This role is a cost-effective, high-impact way to take back your time and build your business to its true potential.
What does a remote executive assistant actually do?
Before you hire anyone, you might be wondering: what exactly does a remote executive assistant do? Do they just check your emails and call it a day? 🤔
On the contrary, a skilled REA acts as your right hand. They handle all the day-to-day details of your business (and personal life, if needed) so you can stay focused on the big picture.
Here are just a few tasks they can manage:
In fact, many business owners are surprised at how much their REA can make their lives easier, once they learn to delegate effectively.
Why a remote executive assistant is the smartest first hire
When you’re growing your business, hiring team members can either become your greatest unlock or your biggest bottleneck.
Here’s why a remote executive assistant is the ideal starting point for any budding entrepreneur:
✅ They give you back your time
An REA handles your low-value but high-effort tasks, which frees up at least 20 hours every week for you to focus on growth, strategy, product/service development or even a proper night’s sleep 😴
✅ They’re cost-effective
Because they work remotely, an REA saves you from overheads like office space or equipment. At Outsourcing Angel, our clients gain access to talented executive assistants from the Philippines at a fraction of the cost of a local hire (up to $30,500 annually) without sacrificing quality.
✅ They bring structure to your day
If your to-do list feels never-ending and your calendar leaves you no room to breathe, a remote executive assistant can streamline both to make sure you’re on your best for each meeting and task.
They do this by setting up systems, workflows, and routines that keep your business running like clockwork.
✅ They grow with your business
Many REAs eventually step up to become operations managers, team leads, or client liaisons. It’s not uncommon for one great hire to stay with you for years and scale their role as your business expands.
Our Founder and CEO’s first hire on July 8, 2011, was Jon Martiniano, a virtual assistant from the Philippines. Now, 14 years later, Jon is our automation architect!
He streamlines our operations to provide the best outsourcing experience for our clients.
Jon Martiniano is the first remote executive assistant our CEO and Founder, Linh Podetti, hired.
Is there a difference between an REA and a remote personal assistant?
While these roles may overlap, there’s a distinction.
A remote personal assistant focuses more on personal errands (e.g. online shopping, birthday reminders, dinner reservations), while a remote executive assistant focuses more on business-critical tasks, such as managing investor meetings or compiling client reports.
If you’re after someone who can both support your life and your business, make sure your hire has experience juggling both sides of the equation—what some call a hybrid executive/personal assistant.
Just be mindful of fair compensation, clear boundaries on work hours, proper access to the tools they need, and realistic expectations about how much one person can handle.
How to work with a remote executive assistant
Hiring is just the beginning! 👌 Here’s how to make the most of your REA from day one:
- Use tools like Slack, Loom, Google Calendar, and Notion to streamline communication
- Set clear expectations for task deadlines and daily check-ins
- Start small—delegate a few recurring tasks, then gradually increase complexity
- Schedule weekly 1:1s for alignment, updates, and feedback
These best practices also apply to any virtual office assistant you bring on board.
If you’re ready to hire administrative assistant support, make sure you’re not just filling a gap, but building long-term capacity into your team. This means ensuring your systems are in place so you can consistently build trust with your new remote staff.
The bottom line on hiring a remote executive assistant
Usually, the best first hire isn’t a developer or a salesperson. It’s someone who enables you to do your best work. And that person is often a remote executive assistant! 🧑💻
Whether you’re missing out on leads or just tired of juggling everything yourself, a well-trained REA can be the difference between growth and plateauing in your business.
