Business owner needs extra help

DearHarriette: I am an entrepreneur with a small business. For several years now, I have worked without an assistant because I just couldn’t afford to have help. Recently, I hired one full-time helper, but I realize I needmore help. There is just toomuch work for this one person to handle. Amazingly, during this period of quarantine, my business is growing. We have been working around the clock, it seems, to respond to calls and to handle new business.

I am so grateful, but I am also afraid to add to my bottom-line expenses. After more than two months of working every day including weekends, with no real time off, my assistant and I are exhausted, and I know I have to do something. How can I be sure that I will be able to keep a second person on the payroll in these uncertain times? — Afraid To Expand

Dear Afraid to Expand: Instead of succumbing to fear, do themath. With a bookkeeper or accountant, review your finances and trends in your business. Go over projections for the next year based on your current work and what you anticipate in the coming months. Review what you will need to pay in taxes and in operating expenses. Also, write down where you want your business to be in the next year.

If it seems that you will have enough resources to hire another worker, bring the person on as an hourly, part-time employee. Make it clear to the new hire that this is a test period to see if the person is a fit for your company and whether you have the resources to hire somebody full time.

Dear Harriette: My girlfriend and I just started dating, and her birthday is coming up. I want to do something special for her. When I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she said not to worry about it. If I have ever learned anything about women, I’m just going to assume she doesn’t actually mean that. I would like to take her word for it, but I just can’t be the boyfriend that actually does nothing.

My girlfriend is an interior designer, so she pays attention to detail and is very over-the-top, but she hates surprises. So I am stuck. Do I go big? Do I do something small? Should I tell her or not? She already gave me an answer, but I feel like her asking for nothing has put me in a more difficult position. How do I know howto give her what shewants? — I Don’t Speak Girl

Dear I Don’t Speak Girl: Your effort is noteworthy. I wouldn’t surprise your girlfriend. Instead, invite her to a special socially distanced dinner with you at a local restaurant or invite her to a meal that you prepare with all of her favorite foods. Tell her that you want to do something special for her that she will appreciate and that you hope she will welcome it.