The Cost of NOT Hiring an Admin: How Your Business is Losing Money

As an entrepreneur, one of the biggest mistakes I made early on was focusing too much on the cost of hiring help rather than considering the cost of NOT hiring help.

When we think about making a hire or investment in our businesses, the first question we typically ask is:
👉 “How much does it cost?”

But in my experience, that’s the wrong question to ask.

The right question is:
👉 “How much is it costing me to NOT do this?”

Let me explain.

A Lesson Learned the Hard Way

Years ago, I had a reality check that forever changed the way I view hiring and business growth.

I was literally up in a tree, changing a light bulb. That’s what I thought an entrepreneur should do—get things done no matter what, even if it means sacrificing time and energy.

While I was in the tree, I missed a call from a potential client. By the time I called back, they had already booked with someone else.

That one missed call cost me $5,000.
When I thought back to all the other missed calls, opportunities, and leads I’d lost by trying to do everything myself, the numbers quickly added up to tens of thousands of dollars—gone.

And the reason for all this?
I didn’t have an admin.

The Real Cost of NOT Hiring an Admin

At the time, hiring an admin felt "too expensive"—but what I didn't realize was that NOT hiring one was what was truly costing me.

An admin isn’t an expense. They’re an investment. Here’s how:

✅ They answer calls you would have missed.
✅ They follow up on proposals you didn’t have time to chase.
✅ They schedule and confirm appointments, so you don’t lose valuable deals.
✅ They handle customer service, freeing up your time for higher-value activities.

Even if all they did was answer the phone, they would pay for themselves. But the reality is that an admin can do so much more—and the return on investment is undeniable.

Stop Thinking in Terms of Cost, Start Thinking in Terms of Opportunity Cost

The key to growing your business is to stop thinking in terms of cost. Instead, think in terms of opportunity cost.

Every minute you spend chasing paperwork or doing low-value tasks, like climbing a tree to change a light bulb, is a minute you’re not using to sell to new clients, train your team, or build your dream business.

Hiring an admin is about buying back your time—and time is where the money is made.

The Question You Should Be Asking

So, let me leave you with this important question:

👉 How much is it costing you right now to NOT have an admin?

Because every moment you waste by doing everything yourself, you're losing out on opportunities to grow your business and increase your profits.

Conclusion

I challenge you to rethink how you view business expenses. Don’t just look at the price tag of hiring help—look at what it’s costing you in missed opportunities, lost sales, and your time.

Keep moving forward,
Ryan Lee

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