TL;DR: If you’re deciding between hiring one virtual assistant (VA) or partnering with a turnkey VA team, the best choice depends on your stage of growth. A solo VA can be cost-effective for simple tasks, but an agency team brings scalability, reliability, and built-in systems that help you grow faster with fewer headaches.

VA Options in Today’s Market

Not all VA setups are created equal. If you’ve ever thought, “Should I just hire one VA or go straight to a full team?”—you’re not alone.

The truth is, the right choice depends on your business goals, budget, and how much time you’re willing to spend managing. In this article, we’ll break down the difference between working with a single freelancer vs. a plug-and-play VA team like BizEx, so you can decide what makes the most sense for you.

👉 [Book a Discovery Call with BizEx today] and see which setup fits your growth goals.

Freelancer vs. Agency: What’s the Difference?

When people say they “hired a VA,” it usually means one of two things:

• Freelancer VA:

  • Independent contractor, often hired on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.

  • Flexible rates but varying skill levels.

  • You manage, train, and set up systems yourself.
    

• Agency/Turnkey VA Support:

  • A pre-trained team with project managers, specialists, and admin support.

  • Standardized processes and systems already in place.

  • Built for businesses that need more than one pair of hands.

Key takeaway: A freelancer is like hiring a single player, while an agency gives you a ready-made team that plays well together from day one.

Cost, Efficiency, and Scalability

Hiring One VA (Freelancer):

• Cost: Usually cheaper upfront, especially if you only need a few hours a week.

• Efficiency: Limited to their skills—if they get sick, work slows down.

• Scalability: Outgrows quickly. When you need more than one role, you’re back to square one.
  

Turnkey VA Team (Agency):

• Cost: Higher than a single VA, but includes built-in systems, backup coverage, and specialized skill sets.

• Efficiency: Faster onboarding, less training required.

• Scalability: Easy to grow without needing to rehire every time you expand.

Example: A coach might hire one VA to handle emails. But when they need social media, funnels, and client onboarding, one person can’t keep up. An agency team steps in with specialists, so nothing falls through the cracks.

👉 [See how BizEx teams streamline operations here]

What You Get with a BizEx Team

At BizEx, our plug-and-play VA teams aren’t just assistants—they’re business enablers. Here’s what makes it different:

• Diverse Skill Sets: Admin, marketing, design, and tech support under one roof.

• Built-In Project Management: You don’t have to “manage the manager.” We do it for you.

• Redundancy & Reliability: Sick days or vacations won’t stall your business.

• Results-Driven Culture: We focus on output, not just hours logged.

Instead of hiring one VA and hoping they can juggle multiple hats, you get a full team aligned with your goals.

How to Decide What Fits Your Stage of Growth

Here’s a simple framework to decide:

• Startup or Solo Stage → Hire one VA. Best if you’re testing waters and only need light admin help.

• Growth Stage (6–7 figures) → Go turnkey. You need efficiency, multiple roles, and less management stress.

• Scaling Stage → Agency support is non-negotiable. You can’t scale while still micromanaging.

👉 Ask yourself: Do you want to spend time building systems from scratch, or plug into a proven setup that’s already running?

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the “right” VA setup isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about aligning with your business stage and how fast you want to move.

• A solo VA works for short-term or light support.

• A plug-and-play team helps you scale without chaos.

If you’re ready to move beyond patchwork solutions and step into true growth support, contact us today!