VA vs. OBM: Which Level of Support Does Your Business Need?
As a business owner, there comes a point where “doing it all” is no longer a badge of honor—it’s a bottleneck. But as you look to offload tasks, you’ll encounter two main roles: the Virtual Assistant (VA) and the Online Business Manager (OBM).
While they both work remotely, their impact on your daily life is vastly different. Here is the breakdown to help you decide which one will help you scale faster.
The Quick Comparison
| Feature | Virtual Assistant (VA) | Online Business Manager (OBM) |
| Primary Focus | Task-Oriented: Executing specific items on a to-do list. | Strategy-Oriented: Managing the systems, people, and projects. |
| Direction | You tell them what to do. | They tell you how it’s going to get done. |
| Responsibility | Responsible for their own specific tasks. | Responsible for the overall business operations. |
| Ideal For | Solopreneurs needing administrative relief. | Scaling businesses with teams or complex systems. |
| Key Mindset | “I’m here to help.” | “I’m here to lead and optimize.” |
You Need a Virtual Assistant If…
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You have clear processes but simply don’t have the time to click the buttons.
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You need help with specific, repeatable tasks like email filtering, data entry, or social media scheduling.
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You want to remain the “Project Manager” and just need more hands on deck.
You Need an Online Business Manager (OBM) If…
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You are overwhelmed by managing your team and checking everyone’s work.
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You have a vision for a big project (like a launch) but don’t know how to build the timeline.
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You are tired of being the “bottleneck” and want someone to take ownership of the operations.
The Fairy Perspective: Think of a VA as the person who ensures the carriage is clean and ready. The OBM is the one who plans the route to the castle, manages the driver, and ensures you arrive on time for the ball.
The Entrepreneur’s Delegation Compass: VA, OBM, or Fractional EA?
🧚 Still Not Sure? Get the “Scaling Roadmap” Checklist
Choosing the wrong type of support can lead to more work for you, not less. I’ve created a 2-minute Decision Matrix to help you identify exactly where your bottlenecks are and whether a VA or an OBM is your next best hire.
[Download the Free Decision Checklist] > Stop guessing and start delegating with confidence.