I Need an OBM for My Business: How to Stop Drowning and Start Scaling

Your business is growing, but so is the chaos behind the scenes.

You’re juggling projects, contractors, and clients, while trying to keep everything running smoothly… and it feels like if you step away, the whole thing might fall apart.

Sound familiar? These are the warning signs you’re about to max out. And they’re also the signs it’s time to bring in an Online Business Manager (OBM) to help you scale with structure, strategy, and support.

Join Sarah Noked in this episode of The OBM Show as she reveals the three undeniable signs you’re ready for OBM-level support and how to hire the right partner… the right way.

Here’s what we cover:

• The subtle ways you might be the bottleneck in your own business (without even realizing it)
• Why running everything from your head is dangerous for growth—and how an OBM solves it
• The opportunity cost of staying stuck (and why it’s costing you more than you think)
• Two clear paths to finding support: DIY team-building vs. done-for-you matchmaking
• How to make the transition smooth so you can step fully into your visionary role

If you’ve been stretched too thin and know something has to change, this episode will show you how to recognize the signs, bring in the right operational support, and finally scale your business with clarity and confidence.

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Thanks for tuning in to The OBM Show - your go-to podcast for Online Business Managers and entrepreneurs who want to scale strategically and sustainably.

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow the show and leave a review. It helps more aspiring and established Online Business Managers find this content and grow their businesses with confidence.

✨ Ready to take the next step?

Grab your free OBM Starter Kit → obmschool.com/starter
Explore more tools and trainings → obmschool.com/resources
Learn about becoming a CPD-certified Accredited Online Business Manager → obmaccreditation.com

🧭 Not sure where to start?
Find out your OBM Archetype and get personalized next steps → obmschool.com/quiz

📺 Prefer to watch?
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel and hit the bell icon to get notified when we drop a new video → youtube.com/@SarahNokedOBM

Until next time, keep building the business behind the business.

Episode Transcript

Sarah Noked (00:00):
Today we're talking about a thought that I know has
crossed the minds of so manybusiness owners who've really
hit that first big milestone intheir business, and that is, I
need someone to help me managethe moving parts in my business.
Now, if you've crossed sixfigures, first of all,
congratulations.
That is so huge as a smallbusiness owner, but I also know

(00:24):
that for many of you, it reallyjust doesn't feel as glamorous
as it may look on paper or evento the outside world because you
are drowning in clientdelivery, juggling contractors,
chasing invoices, managingprojects, and really trying to
keep your team aligned all whileholding the entire business in

(00:46):
your head.
You are exhausted.
You are stretched thin.
And you have that naggingfeeling that if you step away
for even a day, the whole thingmight fall apart.
So vacations are just not easy.
even in the books.
Here is the absolute truth.
What got you to six figures inrevenue won't get you to

(01:09):
multiple six or even sevenfigures.
Hustle won't scale yourbusiness.
Late nights won't scale you.
At this stage, what you needare systems.
What you need isaccountability.
And what you need most of allis a true operational partner.
So today I want to get reallyclear on the turning point.

(01:33):
We're going to walk through thethree undeniable signs that you
are ready to hire an OBM.
And then we'll talk about howto do it the right way so that
you can finally get back tobeing the visionary of your
business.
Welcome to the OBM show, thepodcast that pulls back the
curtain on what it really takesto thrive as an online business

(01:55):
manager and help businessesscale without burning out.
I'm I'm your host, Sarah Noked,agency owner, OBM mentor and
founder of OBM School.
I've been working in the backend of online businesses since
2009, building systems, managingremote teams and mentoring OBMs
who make businesses run likeclockwork.

(02:18):
Now I've seen what works, whatdoesn't and the messy middle
that no one talks about.
Here we get real about thetools, strategies and stories
that drive sustainable If you'reready to stop spinning your

(02:38):
wheels, step into yourleadership role, and see what
actually happens behind thescenes of thriving businesses,
you're in the right place.
Let's get started.
Let's dive into the signs.
As you listen, I want you to behonest with yourself and see
which of these resonates withwhere you are right now.
So the sign number one is, isthat you've become the

(03:02):
bottleneck in your own business.
This is the most common andprobably the most painful sign.
It looks a little bit like yourteam members constantly waiting
on you for answers orapprovals.
You are so buried in the day today that you have no time left
for big picture visionary workthat only you as the CEO can do.

(03:25):
And OBM is the person who takesownership of Now, the sign
number two is that your entirebusiness is running on systems
that are stored in your head.

(03:47):
If you are the only one whoholds the processes and the
plans, you don't own a business,you own a very demanding job.
You feel like you can't evendelegate because you think
training someone would take moretime than you have.
An OBM superpower is gettingthat knowledge out of your head

(04:11):
and turning it into a scalable,documented system that can run
without you.
And sign number three, is thatyou know what your next big move
is, but you have zero time towork on it.
This is the clearest sign ofall.
You have an idea for a newoffer or a new way to scale, but

(04:33):
you are so stuck in managingthe current business that you
have no time or energy to buildthe future of your business.
The opportunity cost of stayingstuck, my friends, is massive.
Now, if you're nodding a tothese signs, the next question
is how to get the support youneed.

(04:54):
And this isn't ever a one sizefits all solution when it comes
to finding the right operationalsupport in your business.
It really comes down to whatkind of CEO you are.
If you are not a do-it-yourselfperson, if the thought of
creating a job description andrunning interviews feels

(05:16):
overwhelming, then you are muchbetter off with a done-for-you
matchmaking solution.
For you, that is exactly whyinside my agency, Sarah Nookhead
OBM, we created our OBMmatchmaking services.
We have built a signatureprocess that starts with a

(05:37):
breakthrough strategy sessionwhere we go deep into your
business with me.
Based on that assessment, wehandpick an accredited OBM from
our network.
But we don't just stop there.
We help you map out the next 90days to successfully onboard
and work with your new onlinebusiness manager.

(05:58):
We give you a plan to ensure asmooth and effective transition
from day one.
Our entire process is designedto take the guesswork out of it
for you.
Now, on the other hand, if youare the CEO who wants to learn
the how behind building a team,if you want the templates and

(06:21):
the frameworks to do it yourselfand own that process for the
long term, then you need acomplete toolkit.
For you, this is exactly why wecreated Team Growth Formula.
It is a complete resourcebundle and toolkit for scaling
with a team.
And here's the kicker.
Team Growth Formula comes withits own systems vault.

(06:44):
That means that you get accessto all of my SOPs, all of my
templates, and all of my and myhiring kits so that you are not
starting from scratch.
I'm talking about ready to usetemplates for job descriptions,
interview scripts, onboardingchecklists, 90 day training
plans, literally everything youneed.

(07:04):
And here is the best part.
When you purchase the teamgrowth formula, you'll also
receive a $200 credit towardsour OBM matchmaking services.
So you get the DIY toolkit tostrengthen your own leadership
skills And then you have acredit waiting for you when
you're ready for us to find youyour perfect fit online business

(07:27):
manager.
Now, I know that even withthese two paths, it can still
feel like a big decision.
If you're looking for clarityon the best path forward for
you, I truly invite you to booka complimentary discovery call
with my team.
You can do that atsarahnoket.com forward slash
services.
Learn more about ourmatchmaking.

(07:48):
book that discovery call.
We can learn about yourbusiness and help you figure out
the right next step withabsolutely no pressure at all.
So if you have hit six figuresor more and you are tired of
carrying the weight of yourbusiness alone, this is your
sign.
The right support is out thereand I really want to make this

(08:14):
easy for you.
It is my absolute pleasure topair on Thank you for tuning in
to today's episode.
I want to leave you with thisfinal thought.
You didn't start your businessto become its busiest employee.

(08:42):
You didn't start your businessto become its You started it to
be its visionary.
The right support is what cantruly make this possible.
I will see you in the nextepisode.