Dylan Jahraus: How to Hire Help on Etsy Without Losing Control — Tips from Emily Bronaugh

Running a handmade business often starts as a one-person show. You’re the creator, the marketer, the customer service rep, the shipper—you do it all. But as your Etsy shop grows, doing everything becomes harder, and burnout creeps in. That’s when many sellers realize: it’s time to hire help on Etsy.

But how do you do that without giving up control or making expensive mistakes? If the idea of hiring feels overwhelming, this episode breaks it down step-by-step. Emily makes it simple, clear, and even exciting to think about growing your team—starting small and smart.

Hire Help on Etsy Might Be Your Next Smart Move

It’s easy to get used to doing everything in your shop. After all, that’s how most handmade businesses start. But Emily explains that when you’re overworked, turning down orders, or avoiding certain tasks because you just can’t keep up—it might be time to delegate.

Hiring doesn’t mean giving up control. In fact, it’s often the best way to regain your time, your energy, and your love for what you do.

Step 1: Get Clear on What You Actually Need

Many shop owners get stuck right here—they know they need help, but they don’t know with what.

Emily’s advice? Start by making a “task dump.” Write down everything you do in your business. Then look at that list and ask:

• What do I dread doing?
• What takes too much of my time?
• What could someone else do with a bit of training?

Start with just one or two tasks—maybe it’s printing shipping labels, scheduling Instagram posts, or answering customer messages. You don’t need to hire a full-time assistant. Start small.

Step 2: Choose the Right Hiring Platform

Once you know what help you need, it’s time to find the right person. Emily shares several places where Etsy sellers can find great help, depending on the job and budget:

• Local hires: Great for in-person help like packing orders.
• Freelance platforms: Sites like Upwork or Fiverr can be great for tasks like product listings or customer service.
• Virtual assistant (VA) directories: These are full of people who specialize in helping small online businesses.
• Your own audience: Sometimes, your best hire is already following you on Instagram.

Don’t overthink the “where.” Focus on clearly explaining what you need and being honest about your budget and expectations.

Step 3: How to Evaluate Candidates (Even If You’ve Never Hired Before)

Interviewing can feel intimidating, but Emily offers a simple tip: look for people who are curious, reliable, and willing to learn.

Experience is helpful, but attitude matters more—especially for smaller tasks. Ask candidates questions like:

• Why are you interested in this role?
• Have you worked with handmade businesses before?
• How do you stay organized when managing multiple tasks?

Emily also recommends giving candidates a small paid test task before committing. This helps you see how they work and avoids surprises later.

Step 4: Start with a Trial Period

When you hire someone, don’t feel like it has to be permanent right away. Emily suggests setting up a 2-4 week trial to make sure the working relationship is a good fit—for both of you.

During that time:

• Set clear expectations.
• Communicate often.
• Use simple systems like checklists or screen recordings to teach your process.

The goal isn’t to micromanage, but to make sure your helper understands how you like things done.

As You Grow, So Can Your Team

Once you’ve hired someone successfully, it becomes easier to imagine growing your team even more. Maybe you bring on another helper for social media, or a part-time maker to help with production.

As you hire, you become more of a leader, but that doesn’t mean you lose control. With clear communication and good systems, you can scale your business while still keeping your brand, voice, and values strong.

To learn more about Etsy marketing tips, check out Etsy Seller Success podcast.

And don’t forget to follow Dylan on Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes seller strategies!