In this Office Hours episode, Grace Van Hollebeke shares the real difference between hiring an Executive Assistant and an Operations hire—and why getting this wrong is one of the most common (and expensive) mistakes founders make.

Most founders default to “I need ops” when they’re overwhelmed, but what they really need is someone to take the day-to-day off their plate. Grace walks through what each role actually does, how to figure out which one your business needs right now, and the self-awareness questions every founder should ask before posting a job. From delegation style to business hygiene, this episode helps you make a smart, strategic hire that unlocks real capacity—not just a fancy title. If you’re hiring support or feeling stuck in the weeds, listen to this before you waste time and money on the wrong person.

Key Moments:

1. EA vs. Ops – Why founders confuse the roles and what it’s costing them
2. Defining the Difference – What EAs do vs. what ops hires do (and why it matters)
3. Founder Self-Check – Understanding your delegation style, weaknesses, and business hygiene
4. Common Mistakes – Hiring based on title, expecting one hire to solve everything
5. What to Do Instead – A 3-step framework to choose the right support
6. The Reframe – Why getting the right help at the right time changes everything

Key Takeaways:

• An EA supports you. An ops hire supports the business. Know the difference.
• Your personal overwhelm ≠ a business infrastructure problem. Solve the real issue.
• Hire for counterbalance, not clone—someone who offsets your blind spots.
• Start small and test before hiring full-time. You don’t need to scale like a corporation to get results.
• The best hires free up your energy first—then you can build systems and scale.

Follow Along:

Grace Van Hollebeke: LinkedIn | Instagram

Lucia: Website

Try This Challenge: This week, list out what’s draining you vs. what’s breaking in the business. Then DM Grace on Instagram (@GraceVanHoll) and she’ll send you the free worksheet to help you decide who to hire next.

Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with a fellow founder who’s thinking about hiring.