Stop Doing $16/Hour Work as a Founder

What’s really holding your business back as you scale—lack of talent, or the invisible administrative weight slowing everything down? In this episode of It’s Personnel, Eli sits down with Helpside Director of Operations Andrew Bartholomew to break down the “administrative anchor” that quietly stalls growing businesses. From payroll mistakes and HR compliance risks to benefits administration and delegation gaps, they unpack why many founders plateau—not because of market conditions, but because they’re stuck doing $16/hour work instead of leading. You’ll learn:Why payroll, HR compliance, and benefits drain more time and money than founders realizeHow “emptying your backpack” can unlock the next stage of growthThe real differences between HR software and a PEO modelHow poor delegation quietly damages company cultureWhy ignorance doesn’t protect you from IRS penalties, audits, or compliance finesHow small businesses can access enterprise-level benefits without enterprise costs If you’re a business owner with 10–50+ employees feeling buried in admin work, this conversation will help you rethink delegation, compliance, and how to reclaim your time without losing control. This episode is a must-watch for founders, CEOs, and operators who want to scale without burning out or putting their business at risk. Call us today for your free benefits audit: 1-800-748-5102 or schedule now. 👍 Like & Subscribe for more helpful Helpside insights. Resources: The Ultimate HR Success Toolkit -15+ Essential Checklists, Guides, and Templates for Complete Compliance and Growth The Tech Founder’s Roadmap to Scaling from 1 to 100 Make Your Agency Un-fireable: The 2026 Broker’s Cheat Sheet for Scaling & Retention Chapters 00:00 – From Placeholder Job to Operations Director 03:45 – Why Small Businesses Get Buried in Compliance 07:40 – Vendor vs Partner: What Business Owners Actually Need 11:55 – Doing “$16 an Hour Work” as a Business Owner 15:30 – Why Knowing Your Numbers Changes Everything 19:45 – The Truth About PEOs and Scaling Smart 24:20 – Healthcare Costs: The Silent Business Killer 29:10 – Protecting Culture While Offloading HR 33:15 – Rethinking the American Dream for Entrepreneurs 37:40 – The Future of Small Business & Sustainable GrowthConnect: Website: https://www.helpside.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpsideteam Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelpsideTeam/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpsideteam/ X: https://x.com/helpside_team Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@helpside_peo