Do you ever sit and think about a word and pay attention to all the connotations that come to mind? I like to do this. It’s a good way for my brain to start traveling. I always have paper and pens handy, whether for note-taking or art and sometimes I’ll start a mental journey with one word. 

Consider “Dog.” What does it mean to you? Those three letters send me all over the place. I think of my puppies, Emma and Coco. I think of all my past canine best buddies, the joys I’ve had, the losses I’ve felt. 

Think of “ice cream.” What’s your association? If you know me, that simply means chocolate. I make homemade ice cream that is chocolatey times 10. I have a friend who asks people what “ice cream tribe” they belong to. He’s “Team Vanilla,” and adamantly so. What’s wrong with that guy? Team Chocolate rules! Team Vanilla, boo! You stand with me on this, don’t you? 

July is the month of red, white, and blue. So that puts other words in my mind: “freedom” and “independence.” 

When you hear those words, what comes to mind? I hope you think of our nation and the principles we celebrate this month. We are truly blessed. 

But I want you to look inward, too, and think about what “freedom” and “independence” mean for you. Now, think about your job. Are you “free?” Are you “independent?” What do those words mean in the context of your career? 

Those words mean a lot if you’re an entrepreneur and business owner. You can proudly say, “I am free of bosses because I’m my own boss. I’m independent!” 

But the reality isn’t as simple, is it? 

You might not have a flesh and blood boss. But time and money are their own taskmasters. Business ownership requires so much of us as individuals that we can begin to feel that the role rules us, not vice versa. 

So sit and think a minute. Is something holding you back from true business freedom? For many owners, it’s the inability to step away. You feel indispensable because critical tasks rely entirely on your expertise or oversight. The business falters when you’re not physically present. This dependency creates a fragile business model that leaves little room for growth, vacations, or even sick days. It’s a cage of responsibility disguised as independence. 

Worried About Missing Out on Important Moments? 

So much of business is about scaling the right answer. And well, you are the master of your business idea, but how exactly do you scale you? How do you multiply yourself? 

Technology is changing quickly, but nobody has trademarked a cloning device for self-starters. That would be quite the 3-D printer, eh? 

But I do have a scaling solution for owners of small and mid-sized businesses, and it starts by taking some real weight off your shoulders.  

My business, HireSmart Virtual Employees, connects you with highly qualified talent from the Philippines at a fraction of local hiring costs. Only one percent of our applicants make it through our rigorous vetting process, and our VEs undergo 40 hours of intensive training before joining your team, with about 12 percent not passing this certification, ensuring your new team member contributes effectively from day one. 

This means you can multiply your capacity without multiplying your stress, allowing you to break free from the overwhelming cycle of doing everything yourself.  

“Nesii is all in on our company mission, vision, and values,” said one client about their VE. “She has elevated our company through higher productivity, efficiency, and consistency. Nesii always arrives to work with a smile on her face and ready to tackle any challenge or project. She is a go-giver heart and is eager to support any of our team members.” 

Want to Build a Business for the Long Haul? 

Of course, navigating foreign labor laws can be daunting, with different pay systems and complex regulations to understand. But we’ve already done this homework so you don’t have to worry. We’ve been in this business for over a decade.  

We provide continuous support through evaluation tools, performance templates, and 16 specialized certification classes. Unlike DIY global hiring, you’re never alone in the process — we help you create tailored KPIs and metrics specific to your business needs. 

“Lindsay is one of our most valued team members,” said a client about their VE. “She brings an enthusiasm and sense of courage to a variety of tasks and projects that are very important to our goals. We trust her with projects of importance and she continues to please us with her performance. Her tenure of 4 years in her role is a testament to her abilities.”  

We also set our VEs up for success by providing them with health and dental benefits, educational scholarships for their children, and ongoing professional development opportunities. This comprehensive support system is why we maintain exceptional retention rates and how we transform your business operations.  

Independence Day for Your Business: How to Empower Your Team to Thrive Without You 

I want you to feel true “freedom” and “independence,” and that’s all about building a business that truly works for you instead of you constantly working for it. That comes by developing a great team. 

When you sit and contemplate the words “quality staffing,” we want “HireSmart” to be the connotation. We work with hundreds of clients to ensure they feel the same.  

“Arlyn has been a great addition to our team, and we are extremely happy with how things have worked out,” another client said. ”She is picking up things so fast. She is making a huge difference already in the short time she has been with us. Her dedication and attention to detail is exactly what we hoped for.” 

If you want to add great team members, click here to schedule a free consultation. I can also tell you how I make my ice cream. Hint: it requires chocolate, and then, well, lots more chocolate.