You've got questions.
I've got answers.
Everything people ask before they hand it off: how it works, what it costs, and what each service actually covers. Don't see your question? Just ask Hillary.
About Hillary
Who is Hillary Scott?
Hillary Scott is the get-it-done expert behind The Hillary, based in Chandler, Arizona. She has 20+ years of experience building businesses and has repositioned 50+ businesses over the last 15 years. Business owners hand her the things they don't have time for, don't know how to do, or just don't want to do.
Do you do all the work yourself?
Yes, and I have assistants. I'm hands on with every client, and you work directly with me. My assistants help me get more done for you, and I stay responsible for making sure everything gets done right.
Do you have a team or partners you work with?
Yes. When something falls outside my expertise, I have a trusted network of professionals, including a business coach, fractional CFO, photographer, payroll specialist, and others, that I bring in when needed. You still only have one person to call.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
Mostly service businesses, including law firms, Tax Prep & Resolution and CPA firms, marketing agencies and local home service companies. If you own a business and your list is longer than your day, we'll probably get along.
Do you only work with businesses in Chandler, Arizona?
No. I'm based in Chandler and work with business owners across Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe and the Phoenix area. Most of my work happens remotely, though, so I help businesses anywhere.
Working together
What types of tasks can you help with?
Just about anything that helps you get more done: your inbox, calendar, admin tasks, sales, websites, marketing, design, bookkeeping support, and those random projects that have been sitting on your list for months. If you don't have the time, don't know how, or just don't want to do it, ask.
Which service is right for me?
Need tasks taken off your plate? Remote assistant. Need to be found and stay visible? Marketing manager. Need a plan for the whole business? Business developer. Have one specific question? Business consultant. Need someone keeping operations running with your team? Fractional COO. Not sure? Ask, and I'll point you to the right one.
How do I get started?
Send me a message through the contact form or email hello@the-hillary.com and tell me what's on your list. I'll get back to you personally, we'll talk through what you need, and you'll get a clear recommendation and price before any work starts.
How do we communicate and send you tasks?
However is easiest for you. Most clients send tasks by email or text, and we set up a simple shared list for anything ongoing. I'll keep you posted as things get done, and we can hop on a quick call whenever it's faster to talk it through.
Do you use AI?
Yes, when it helps. AI is great for speeding up research, first drafts and organizing information, which saves you time and money. But I don't hand your business over to a robot. Everything is reviewed, edited and finished by me, so it sounds like you and gets done right.
Do I have to sign a long contract?
No. Most of my services are monthly or hourly. Business development is the one exception: it's a six month or longer engagement, because that's how long it takes to actually carry out the plan.
Pricing
What's a typical monthly budget?
It depends on what you need. Remote assistant support is $55/hr with 5+ hours a month. Marketing management and business development each start at $500/mo. Fractional COO support is $125/hr and business consulting is $175/hr. Tell me what's on your list and I'll give you a clear number.
What does a remote assistant do?
A remote assistant handles the everyday work that keeps your business running: email, scheduling, follow up, research, documents, simple design, bookkeeping support, website updates and tech troubleshooting. You send the task, it gets done, and you get your time back without hiring an employee.
How much does a remote assistant cost?
My remote assistant support is $55/hr with a minimum of 5 hours a month. You only pay for time spent on your work, there's no long contract, and you can add hours whenever your list gets longer.
What tasks should I hand off first?
Start with whatever you keep putting off. The best first tasks are the ones you don't have time for, don't know how to do, or just don't want to do: inbox cleanup, scheduling, follow ups, website updates and the project that's been on your list for months.
Is a remote assistant better than hiring an employee?
For most small businesses, it's the smarter first step. You get experienced help for only the hours you need, with no payroll, benefits, desk or training time. As your needs grow, I can help you figure out when an in house hire makes sense.
Do I need to be in Chandler to work with you?
No. I'm based in Chandler, Arizona and work with business owners across Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe and the Phoenix area, but remote assistant work happens online, so I can help you wherever your business is.
What does a marketing manager do for a small business?
A marketing manager plans, creates and runs your marketing so it happens every week: website updates, social media, Google Business Profile, reviews, email and ads. Instead of juggling freelancers and platforms, you have one person managing the whole picture and focused on what brings in business.
How much does a marketing manager cost?
My marketing manager service starts at $500/mo. The final number depends on how much you want covered, like social media, ads, email or your website. Tell me what you need and I'll give you a clear monthly number before we start.
Can you help my business show up on Google in Chandler and the East Valley?
Yes. Local visibility starts with a complete Google Business Profile, steady reviews, a fast website with clear service pages and consistent listings. I set these up and keep them active so customers in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe and across Phoenix can find you.
Why hire a marketing manager instead of an agency?
You get one experienced person who knows your business, not a rotating account team. I've built marketing programs from the agency side, so I know what's worth paying for and what isn't, and I keep things simple enough to keep working long after launch.
How long does marketing take to work?
Some wins come fast, like a cleaned up Google Business Profile or a website that finally asks for the call. Social media, reviews and search build with steady effort over several months. You'll see what's working each month, so you're never guessing.
What does a business developer do?
A business developer looks at your whole business, including sales, marketing, operations, pricing and positioning, then builds a plan to make it stronger. Unlike a one time report, I stay for six months or more to lead you through the plan so it actually gets done.
How much does business development cost?
Business development starts at $500/mo with an engagement of six months or more. Six months gives us time to assess the business, build the plan and carry it out, so you see real change instead of a plan that sits in a drawer.
What happens in the first month?
We start with an assessment of how you get customers, how you serve them, what you charge and where time and money are leaking. Then I build an improvement plan with clear priorities, so we both know exactly what we're working on first.
What kinds of businesses have you helped grow?
Mostly service businesses, including a marketing agency, a bankruptcy law firm, a Tax Prep & Resolution firm and a CPA firm. Over the last 15 years I've repositioned 50+ businesses, and I've spent 16 years building my own business, too.
What's the difference between a business developer and a business consultant?
A business consultant is an hourly conversation about a specific question or problem. A business developer is an ongoing partnership: I assess the whole business, build the plan and lead you through it for six months or more.
What does a business consultant do?
A business consultant gives you an experienced outside opinion on a specific question, problem or idea. We talk it through, I ask the questions that get to the real issue, and you leave with practical suggestions, troubleshooting and a clear next step.
How much does a business consultation cost?
Business consulting is $175/hr, booked when you need it, with no long term commitment. Most people come with one specific question or problem and leave with a clear answer, next steps, and introductions when they help.
What should I bring to a consultation?
Bring the decision, problem or idea that's keeping you stuck, plus any numbers or examples that help explain it. We'll get to the real issue quickly, and you'll leave knowing what to do next and who can help if it's outside my expertise.
Can you connect me with other professionals?
Yes. I have a trusted network that includes a business coach, fractional CFO, photographer, payroll specialist and others. If your problem falls outside my expertise, I'll introduce you to someone I trust, so you're not starting from scratch.
Do we meet in person or online?
Most conversations happen by video or phone, so location doesn't matter. I'm based in Chandler, Arizona, so if you're nearby in the East Valley or Phoenix area, meeting in person is an option too.
What does a fractional COO do?
A fractional COO is part time operational leadership. I oversee the details, improve how work gets done, and build the systems, processes and accountability your business runs on, so it can grow without everything running through you, and without the cost of a full time executive.
How much does a fractional COO cost?
My fractional COO support is $125/hr. You get experienced operational leadership for the hours your business actually needs, without the salary, benefits and long term commitment of a full time executive.
When does a business need a fractional COO?
When you're the bottleneck for every decision, when things fall through the cracks as you grow, or when your team needs more structure than you have time to give. If you're ready to step back from the daily details, it's time.
What's the difference between a fractional COO and an operations manager?
An operations manager usually runs one defined area. A fractional COO looks at how the whole business runs, builds the systems and accountability around it, and works directly with the owner on priorities, on a part time basis.
What's the difference between a fractional COO and a business developer?
A business developer builds a plan to improve the whole business and leads you through it. A fractional COO stays in the daily operations, keeping systems, processes and people running smoothly. Many owners start with one and add the other.