We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hayden Orme a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hayden, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so one thing we think people don’t talk about nearly enough is investments – either time or money. What’s one of the best or worst investments you’ve made and what did you learn from the experience?

The best investment I have ever made as a business owner, and continue to make each and every day is having a top-notch support staff, and an Executive Assistant.

The burnout badge is not a status symbol. As Brené Brown said, “If you don’t want to burn out, stop living like you’re on fire.” Time is an entrepreneur’s greatest asset, yet, all too often the most squandered. We wouldn’t think of flushing money down the toilet, but when we neglect to utilize our time efficiently, we’re effectively doing something far worse; money is replaceable, but time is not. The one truly-even playing field we all share is the rule of 168 – there are 168 hours in a week. Nearly everyone can relate to the unfortunately-frequent stress of not having enough time to complete the ever-growing to-do list. I hear so many people echo these sentiments of perpetually feeling behind the 8-ball without being able to get caught up, despite working with diligent persistence. This is a common problem in life; especially in business. So how can we effectively level up? Thankfully, there’s always a better path, when we’re open and receptive. There are innumerable misconceptions about hiring an executive assistant, so let’s unpack how a business owner can scale sustainably while continuing to foster balance and quality of life.

The average executive/business owner loses 6 weeks of productivity every year, at minimum, (and an average of 16 hours per week) due to lack of support, The Harvard Business Review expounded on why all executives need an assistant: It’s an investment that yields both immediate and increasing returns. Executives and business owners are stretched to the max, bogged down with daily administrative and operational tasks when they could be doing more of what they do best and delegating the rest. Behind every extraordinary executive, is an equally exceptional assistant and right-hand strategic business partner. Over the course of a year, you’re allocating about 6-9 weeks of your time to administrative and operational tasks. A skilled Executive Assistant’s role is to facilitate your days running as seamlessly and effectively as possible. Imagine what that kind of ROI this support would yield – increased revenue and peace of mind!

As a business owner myself, I completely understand the overwhelm that is the natural by-product of trying to manage EVERYTHING simultaneously. Given my 13+ years of corporate experience supporting and partnering with top Fortune executives, I have unique insight that helps me see not only when it’s time to hire support, but HOW to do it optimally. A year into my own entrepreneurial journey, having worked with entrepreneurs before, I knew I needed to bring in some help with my own business. Within my first year of operating, I brought on my first team member and assistant. I knew this was the only way to scale sustainably, also enabling me to balance time with my family while running a successful, and growing business. Utilizing a stellar executive assistant, and now also paying an agency to manage all of our digital marketing, I’ve been able to scale my own company while growing discerningly and intentionally  with incredible team members. This has allowed us to continue helping more businesses bring their goals to fruition, increasing not only their revenue but their overall quality of life! We are on a mission to empower the CEO within every entrepreneur with strategic partnership and collaborative support. In 2022, we grew 300% over the prior year.

I’m not sure I’ve ever spoken to another business owner who feels chronically well-rested, relaxed, and like they’re the pinnacle of an organization. This image can be portrayed when we’re trying to prove we can “do it all,” but how is that serving us? How is that serving our clients? Our personal lives and relationships? Let’s be real here, let’s get vulnerable and authentic – I’ve had clients burst into tears on a consultation because they’re at their breaking point. The reasons they started their businesses, the things that brought them joy, were now buried, seemingly forever, under the ever-increasing insurmountable mountain of running a business. Burnout is not a badge of honor, and should not be worn with pride. Burnout plagues so many business owners, and it comes from not delegating enough. You reach a certain pain point past which it’s detrimental to your business to NOT hire and bring on support. The growth and SUSTAINABLE success of your business ultimately is directly tied to your capacity, and ability, to trust in others, accept help, and DELEGATE.

Being overwhelmed is a common theme. So many of us feel consumed with tangential time sucks and get frustrated with a lack of perceived productivity. Delegating can be uncomfortable because it requires vulnerability. So, would you rather feel uncomfortable for a temporary, onboarding period of time as you adjust to delegating, followed by increased and sustained balance and success, or would you rather continue to live in burnout, overwhelm, and live in that discomfort indefinitely, wearing your badge of burnout? After all, if nothing changes, nothing changes! You get to choose your comfort and your discomfort, so consider Empowering yourself and your business. As Brené Brown said, “Time is, hands down, our most coveted, nonrenewable resource.”

Hayden, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For over a decade, prior to launching my own business (Handled. By Hayden & Co.), I supported top executives and teams at companies such as Partners Healthcare, Brightcove, Inc., Novartis, and McKesson. I most recently managed the office of the Chairman and CEO of McKesson (a Fortune 5 company at the time). Now as an entrepreneur myself, I leverage my corporate experience and am growing a remote business optimization and elevation firm that is on a mission to help as many leaders as possible achieve the success they so desire, doing so in a sustainable way. HBH & Co. is a unique approach to business development and high-caliber remote support, combining elements of small business consulting, strategy, and executive assistant services. We help entrepreneurs, CEOs and C-Suite Executives to achieve and maintain empowered leadership and holistic success by moving out of chronic overwhelm, burnout, stress, and the role of ‘doer’ with the RIGHT strategy and support. Our executive assistants all have a minimum of 10 years or more of supporting C-suite corporate executives, so you truly get a top-notch strategic business partner to handle all your administrative and project needs. HBH & Co. helps entrepreneurs and corporate leaders operate efficiently and effectively, so they can achieve sustainable holistic success, increase profits and reduce wasted time, providing strategies custom-tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

Along with my team of uniquely experienced executive assistants, we collaboratively guide and support our clients, Empowering the CEO within every entrepreneur and executive leader. Working with HBH & Co. is a unique experience. With us you know you’re not alone; you have a trusted confidant and guide to help you grow your business and step into your own CEO confidence factor.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I am a voracious reader, and I always have a long list of books I want to read next. I have actually curated a book list. To name but a few of so many books that really resonated with me, “We Should All Be Millionaires” by Rachel Rodgers, “Dare To Lead” by Brene Brown, “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” by Amy Morin, and so many more.

Here at Handled. By Hayden & Co. we are on a mission to empower entrepreneurs and corporate executives to be the leaders they are truly meant to be; leaders that inspire and support their teams, who lead by example, and who are holistically and sustainably successful. We know the challenges and joys that come with running a business, which is why it’s so important to nurture the mind of a CEO.

You will find that the most impactful leaders are consistent learners – always opening their minds to new possibilities and opportunities for growth. Keeping a series of influential books on your list will ensure your mind is always nourished.

To help with that, we have curated a recommended book list covering the topics of business, mindset, happiness, and successful habits. Whether you like to turn the pages of a hard copy or enjoy an audiobook while you drive, we can guarantee that these books will elevate your leadership capabilities and help you claim your space and authority as an Empowered CEO.

All you need is an email address to download our free list of books that I have put together and highly recommend! Click the link below to get your book list today!
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63254e33d3498568abf5e71c

How did you build your audience on social media?

I cannot emphasize enough the power of authenticity in your branding, messaging, and marketing. When you align with your authentic brand, and your voice, and portray that with consistency, you show up in a way in which you feel proud and that truly represents the business you have built, but it also attracts those people who are the RIGHT ones for you and your team to work with. It’s important to stay in your own lane and not compare to what others are doing because blending in with the crowd is NOT something you want to do in your marketing; you want to show WHY you are different and have that shine through in everything you do because that is how you set yourself apart. When you can do that, and do it in a genuine and aligned way, that is how you attract and build not just numbers, but the right audience you want to build your online community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://handledbyhayden.co/
• Instagram: @handled.byhayden
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handled.byhayden/
• Linkedin: HBH & Co: https://www.linkedin.com/company/handled-by-hayden-llc Hayden Orme: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-orme-84459b11/
• Other: https://handledbyhayden.co/links