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. Clients call her the efficiency master and a Swiss Army knife for business owners. She steps into whatever role a business needs, from remote assistant and website designer to marketing manager, chief of staff and fractional COO, and often several at the same time.
Can you handle more than one role for my business?
Yes, and most clients have me in two or three. One week I might answer your phones, update your website and run your Google Ads, all at once. Because it's the same person, nothing gets lost between roles and you don't have to explain your business five times.
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, graphic design, bookkeeping support, operations, and those random projects that have been sitting on your list for months. I step into whatever role you need, and often a few at once. 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 new or better website? Website designer. Need a plan for the whole business? Business developer. Have one specific question? Business consultant. Need a right hand on your priorities? Chief of staff. Need someone keeping operations running with your team? Fractional COO. Need more than one? Most clients do, and it's still just me. Not sure? Ask, and I'll point you to the right mix.
Why hand off work I could do myself?
Because your hours are the revenue engine. Money comes from selling and from doing the work your clients pay for. Every hour you spend on admin, marketing, the website or paperwork is an hour taken away from both. Hand off the rest and you can put your time where the revenue is.
Can I see examples of your work?
Yes. The Work page shows websites, graphic design and marketing I've built for business owners, plus the roles I played on each one. If you'd like to see something specific, like a site in your industry, just ask.
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 starts at $500/mo and websites start at $300. Business development is $75/hr, chief of staff support is $75 to $90/hr, 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.
Is a remote assistant the same as a virtual assistant?
Yes. Virtual assistant and remote assistant mean the same thing: an experienced person who handles your admin, follow up, tech and projects from their own office instead of yours. I use "remote assistant" because the work is real and hands on, and I'm right here in Chandler if you ever want to meet.
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.
Do I need a digital marketer or a marketing manager?
They're the same job with different names. A digital marketer runs your online marketing; I also plan it, manage it week to week and build the website it all points to.
What digital marketing services do you offer in Chandler?
I manage the digital marketing most local businesses need: Google Business Profile, local SEO, Google Ads, Facebook and Instagram ads, social media, review requests, email newsletters and website updates. You get one person running all of it, based in Chandler, instead of a different freelancer for every channel.
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.
Are you a web designer or a digital marketer?
Both. I design and build the website, and as a digital marketer I also handle the SEO, Google Business Profile, Google Ads, social media and email that bring people to it. Having one person do both means your site is built to get leads, not just to look good.
How much does a website cost in Chandler?
It depends on how many pages you need and what the site has to do. Websites start at $300 for a focused one page site, and a full site with service pages, a blog and booking costs more. I give you a clear price in writing before any work starts, so there are no surprises.
What do I get with a new website?
A fast, mobile friendly site with a page for each service, a blog you can post to yourself, secure contact forms that copy the right people, a privacy policy, Google Analytics and Search Console set up, and the SEO groundwork that helps Chandler customers find you.
How long does it take to build a website?
Most small business sites take a few weeks from our first call to launch. The biggest factor is how quickly content and photos come together, and I help with both so it doesn't stall on your desk.
Can I update the website myself?
Yes. Every site I build has a simple login where you can write blog posts, schedule them ahead and make updates without code. If you'd rather not, I can handle updates for you.
Do you redesign existing websites?
Yes. I'll keep what's working, fix what isn't, and set up redirects from your old page addresses so you don't lose the search rankings you already have.
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 is $75/hr 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 chief of staff do?
A chief of staff works side by side with the owner. I keep your priorities in focus, run your meeting rhythm, turn decisions into owners and deadlines, handle what doesn't need you, and take on the important projects nobody else owns.
What's the difference between a chief of staff and a fractional COO?
A fractional COO runs the operations: systems, processes and the team. A chief of staff runs the owner's priorities, so the business gets the best of you. Many owners start with a chief of staff and add COO support as the team grows.
What's the difference between a chief of staff and an assistant?
An assistant handles tasks. A chief of staff decides which tasks matter, gets them to the right people, and follows up until they're done, so you're not the one chasing everything.
How much does a fractional chief of staff cost?
My fractional chief of staff support is $75 to $90/hr, depending on how much of your week you want covered, from a weekly leadership meeting and follow up to deeper, ongoing support. No long term contract.
When does a business need a chief of staff?
When the business has grown past what you can personally keep track of. If meetings end without follow through, projects stall waiting on you, or you spend your days reacting instead of leading, it's time.
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.