OBM vs VA: What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Need?
If you're feeling stretched thin in your business, you've probably caught yourself thinking, “I need help… but where do I even start?”
There are a lot of terms thrown out there for support roles and all are valuable in their own way. You may have seen roles like Virtual Assistant (VA) and Online Business Manager (OBM) tossed around, but what actually are they and what’s difference between them? And more importantly which one do you need to help grow your business?
The Quick Answer:
A VA helps you do the work.
An OBM helps you run the business.
Both roles are incredibly valuable but they serve different functions depending on where your business is and the type of support you need.
What a Virtual Assistant (VA) Does
A Virtual Assistant is a task focused support role. They work best when you already have an idea of what needs to be done and need someone reliable to take it off your plate.
Common VA Tasks:
Inbox and calendar management
Data entry
Social media scheduling
Admin support
Basic graphic design in Canva
Research and light content writing
Customer support
Booking appointments and coordinating meetings
You manage the strategy. They handle the day to day details.
A VA is perfect for you if:
You need help with repeatable or time consuming tasks.
You have clear instructions but not enough hours to do them yourself.
You’re not quite ready to hand over the reins, but you need a second set of hands.
What an Online Business Manager (OBM) Does
An Online Business Manager is a strategic partner for your business. They help you organize, oversee, and optimize the entire operation of your business so you can stay in your zone of genius.
Common OBM Responsibilities:
Building workflows and systems
Leading and managing your team
Overseeing project timelines and execution
Delegating tasks and keeping everyone accountable
Analyzing what’s working and what’s not
Streamlining your backend operations
Setting up automations and reporting systems
Helping you plan launches, offers, or quarterly goals
You share the vision. They help make it happen with strategy and structure.
OBMs are perfect if:
You’re growing and overwhelmed by managing it all.
You’ve hired a VA or a few contractors, but now you’re the bottleneck.
You want a right-hand partner who thinks like an operations lead.
Which One Do You Need?
You might need a VA if:
✔ You’re buried in emails and scheduling
✔ You have processes but no time to follow through
✔ You just need help executing tasks consistently
You might need an OBM if:
✔ You’re the project manager, team leader, visionary AND operator. It’s too much.
✔ You’re dropping balls because your systems aren’t keeping up.
✔ You want someone to run the business with you, not just assist you.
Truth is, most businesses can gain value from both at some point in their journey. Think of the OBM as the operations captain and the VA as part of the crew, each with a specific and powerful role to play.
Still Not Sure?
That’s okay! At Sidekick Operations, I help small business owners figure out the right kind of support for where they are right now. Whether that’s hands on help (VA style), strategic partnership (OBM style), or a bit of both. I’ve got you.
Let’s lighten your load and reclaim your time.
📅 Book a free clarity call and let’s talk about what kind of support will actually move the needle for your business.
