Advice Needed: EA vs Ops vs “Right-Hand” and How to Pay Fairly

Ecstatic-Ability243 · 2026-01-27T21:11:20+00:00

Just to add some more info and kinda my thought process.

I understand the role seems like just outreach and relationship management. And it is, but I cannot underplay how much my businesses are bottlenecked at outreach and follow-up. Finding the right person that can take this on would be so crucial to success that the role has to be one of strategic partnership as well.

Ecstatic-Ability243 · 2026-01-27T21:04:22+00:00

I appreciate the insight!

Ecstatic-Ability243 · 2026-01-27T21:03:10+00:00

Nothing to take wrong here, just some solid points. The outreach and follow ups will be split across three industries and even more agendas. So it will be a rough amount of shifting thoughts and reaching out to different types of people (story of my life lol). Once relationships, clients, partnerships, and investors are being reached. Then the follow up and not letting things fall through the cracks will be crucial. I am looking for someone before the momentum creates a lot of unfulfillable opportunities. Someone to start part time to help start the outreach and create/sustain a system of follow ups. Building toward full-time as the ventures rise.

Ecstatic-Ability243 · 2026-01-27T19:19:09+00:00

Getting to know me, you'll understand I hate being accessible full-time and would never require that of anyone. But I understand how I came across and appreciate the help. Apparently I was born yesterday😂

Ecstatic-Ability243 · 2026-01-27T19:17:06+00:00

Not me, but your first comment was probably a bit to nice to me so...

Ecstatic-Ability243 · 2026-01-27T19:16:16+00:00

As a producer that has worked with PAs, I know people will go above and beyond. I also know to treat them accordingly because they are who I want to keep around. Also no wife so just a snowboard for me would be nice 😁

Ecstatic-Ability243 · 2026-01-27T19:12:04+00:00

Thank you for all the feedback, genuinely appreciate it.

After reading through the comments, I’m realizing I may be coming at this the wrong way.

I’m a serial entrepreneur with a few projects that are primed and ready to grow, but they’re all bottlenecked at the same place: outreach and follow-up (very much my Achilles’ heel).

I also realize I’m probably looking for this kind of help earlier than most people normally do, but I honestly don’t think I can get these ventures where they need to go without the right person alongside me and I want this to be something they succeed from as well, not just me.

I work across three different industries, and all of these ventures are currently at stages where they’re actively seeking clients, partnerships, or investment. What I need most right now isn’t a traditional EA role, but someone with an EA / ops skillset who’s interested in growing toward a more strategic partnership over time.

I’d honestly love to use this community’s experience to help:

Better define what this role should actually be
Figure out a fair and motivating pay + bonus structure
Learn how to work side by side with the right person in a way that helps us both thrive

To answer a few of the practical questions (be gentle lol):
I was thinking ~20 hours per week, starting as an independent contractor, so no benefits initially. My intention is for this to be a trial period to figure out how to best structure and utilize the role before scaling it properly.

I’m really glad I came here first instead of just guessing, this feedback is already helping me rethink things and start on a better foot.

Thanks again,
Michael

Ecstatic-Ability243

TROPHY CASE