Before You Hire Full-Time: Why Starting with a Contractor/Freelancer Can Save You Time, Money, and Stress
Hiring support is a milestone moment for founders and solopreneurs. It means the business is growing. But it also means decisions get bigger and more expensive.
Here’s the crossroad every founder hits: do I jump straight into a full-time hire, or start with a contractor/freelancer?
I’ve spent over 20 years working alongside executives who were hiring support for the very first time. And I can tell you: skipping straight to a full-time employee is often the riskiest and costliest move you can make.
Let’s break down why starting with contractor or fractional support / freelancer can actually set you up for long-term success.
1. The Risk Avoidance Angle
A full-time hire isn’t just a person—it’s a commitment. Salary, benefits, HR processes, legal compliance, onboarding—the list is long.
If you realize too late that the role isn’t the right fit, unraveling that decision costs you time, money, and morale.
A contractor gives you flexibility. You get to test what level of support you really need without locking yourself into overhead or HR red tape.
Takeaway: Think of contractors and freelancers as “try before you buy” support.
2. The Systems First Angle
One of the biggest mistakes I see founders make is hiring an employee into chaos. No workflows. No SOPs. No clear role.
That’s a recipe for burnout—for them and for you.
Contractors/freelancers, especially strategic VAs, thrive in building structure out of mess. They can help design your workflows, streamline your operations, and document your systems while still keeping the business moving.
Then, when you’re ready for a full-time hire, that person plugs into a well-oiled machine instead of inheriting your chaos.
Takeaway: Build the runway before you land the plane.
3. The Test Drive Angle
Contractors/freelancers are your business test drive. You get to see:
What tasks actually move the needle.
How much support you really need.
What kind of person fits your style and culture.
Sometimes founders discover they don’t actually need a 40-hour/week employee at all. Fractional support covers the gap just fine.
Other times, the right contractor becomes the obvious choice for a permanent role—and you transition them into full-time after 3–6 months.
Takeaway: Contractors/freelancers let you validate before you commit.
Final Word
Hiring full-time is a big step. But it doesn’t have to be your first step.
Starting with contractor or fractional support or freelancer gives you breathing room. It reduces the risk of mis-hires, keeps your budget flexible, and sets your future employees up for success.
So if you’re a founder or solopreneur standing at that hiring crossroads, ask yourself this: what would it look like to test-drive support first?
If you’re weighing contractors/freelancers vs. employees and want to chat about the benefits of starting with a Freelance VA, let’s talk. I help founders build systems and support structures that make both paths successful.
—Monica aka #TheVAGodmother 🪄
#AskMonicaAnything
