You’ve hit that point in your business where something’s got to give.
You’re buried in Slack messages, updating ClickUp at midnight, juggling client delivery, and wondering how the heck you’re supposed to scale when you’re still the one managing the calendar, the team, and every damn decision.
So, you open a new browser tab and Google…
- “Project manager for online business”
- “Integrator vs COO”
- “Fractional COO for hire”
- “Need help managing VA”
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Or maybe… “WTF is an OBM?”
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
The truth is—most business owners don’t know what kind of help they actually need.
They know they’re overwhelmed. They know things are slipping through the cracks. They know they’re the bottleneck. But they don’t know who to hire to fix it.
Let’s clear this up.
You’re Not Broken. Your Business Just Needs a Better Backbone.
The problem isn’t your team. It’s not your motivation. And no—you don’t need to take another course.
You’re running your business without a structure that supports growth.
Here’s the real talk: most entrepreneurs try to delegate before they’ve built the foundation for delegation. They bring on a VA and expect them to read minds. Or they hire a project manager and wonder why nothing’s “running on its own.”
It’s not your fault.
You just haven’t hired the right kind of help for where you are right now.
So… Who Should You Hire?
Let’s break down what you might think you need—versus what’s actually going on.
| Role/Type | What You’re Thinking | What They Actually Are/Do |
|---|---|---|
| VA (Virtual Assistant) | “I need someone to take stuff off my plate.” | Task-based doer. Executes clear instructions. Great when SOPs already exist. |
| Project Manager | “I just need someone to keep things moving.” | Manages timelines and deliverables. Doesn’t build systems or lead the team. |
| OBM (Online Business Manager) | “Wait—what’s that?” | Operational partner. Manages projects, systems, and people. Builds structure and supports growth. Often the missing link when you’re stuck in day-to-day. |
| Fractional COO | “I need high-level leadership without full-time costs.” | Executive leadership role (often part-time). Focuses on strategic ops, but not always in the trenches with the tech or systems. May work with an OBM. |
| Integrator (EOS®) | “I heard I need an Integrator to run things.” | A type of person, not a job title. Integrators complement Visionaries and excel at execution, accountability, and bringing order to chaos. Can exist within roles like COO, OBM, or Director of Ops—depending on the size and structure of the business. |
| Visionary (EOS®) | “That’s definitely me.” | Big-picture thinker and innovator. Sees the future but doesn’t love details. Typically the CEO or founder. Needs an Integrator-type to bring ideas to life. |
Credit to EOS Worldwide for defining the Integrator and Visionary roles in their system of entrepreneurial leadership. You can learn more about that framework here.
What an OBM Really Does (And Why You Probably Need One)
According to Sarah Noked, a globally recognized OBM mentor and leader in the industry, the role of an Online Business Manager is to manage the backend of your business so you can focus on growth.
An OBM steps in when:
- You’re managing a team but still answering every question.
- You’re scaling but can’t keep all the plates spinning.
- You’ve got projects stuck in limbo because no one’s owning the execution.
- You’re wasting time doing things someone else could and should be doing.
Here’s how Sarah defines the core pillars of OBM support:
- Project Management – Planning, delegating, and following through so your big ideas become real results.
- Operations Management – Building systems that keep your business running like clockwork.
- Metrics Management – Tracking the numbers that matter (so you’re not just guessing what’s working).
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People Management – Making sure your team knows what to do, when to do it, and how to do it well.
An OBM is your second brain.
Your stabilizer. Your operator. Your “How” to your “What if…?”
You’re Not Looking for a Unicorn. You’re Looking for This.
If you’re nodding along thinking, “THIS is what I’ve been trying to find—but I didn’t know it had a name,” then let me save you some time:
👉 You need an OBM.
👉 And not just any OBM—you need someone who understands your business, your systems, your tech, and your people.
That’s where I come in.
Let’s Fix the Foundation—Then You Can Fly
I work with online business owners who are ready to stop holding it all together with duct tape and late nights.
Together, we:
- Build the systems your business is missing
- Organize your team and operations
- Automate the time-sucking stuff
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Get you back to the visionary role you actually want to play
If you’ve been googling job titles hoping one will magically solve your burnout, let’s stop the scroll and talk. I’m not here to coach you. I’m here to do—and build a business that runs without you micromanaging every move.
Hiring help shouldn’t feel like gambling.
If you’re ready for someone to step in, get your backend under control, and finally turn your chaos into clarity—you’re in the right place.
