For startups preparing for product launches, every dollar and every hour matters. Blisstil, a consumer electronics company developing over-ear noise-cancelling sleep headphones, faced a critical decision: hire expensive in-house staff or find a flexible, cost-effective solution that could scale with growth.

Founder Oliver Masson chose GetFriday’s virtual assistant services—reducing administrative costs by 15% while successfully supporting the launch of a complex hardware product.

Results at a Glance

• 15% cost savings vs. hiring in-house staff
• 20+ hours per week saved by the core team
• Successful crowdfunding campaign supported by responsive customer communication
• SEO and social media improvements implemented ahead of launch
• Scalable operations without increasing fixed costs

 

Client Background

Blisstil is a consumer electronics company developing over-ear noise-cancelling sleep headphones, managing the product from design through to manufacturing and global distribution.

The company focuses on solving real-world sleep challenges—such as noise from snoring partners, travel environments, and urban living—through purpose-built hardware combining active and passive noise reduction.

During the critical pre-launch phase, founder Oliver Masson needed reliable administrative and operational support, but hiring full-time staff would have added significant fixed costs and reduced flexibility.

Startup Reality Check

Early-stage startups need to stay lean.

Full-time hires create fixed overhead and long-term commitments, while virtual assistants provide flexible, on-demand support that adapts to the business as it grows.

The Startup Challenge

Manual Admin Overload – Customer support, social media engagement, and launch coordination were taking up valuable time that should have been spent on product development, supplier coordination, and strategy.

High Cost of In-House Hiring – Hiring full-time staff would have cost $60,000–$80,000 annually when factoring in salary, benefits, equipment, and onboarding.

Limited Bandwidth –  As a small team preparing for a hardware launch, operational demands were increasing faster than internal capacity.

The GetFriday Solution

Customer Support Management – A dedicated virtual assistant handled growing volumes of inquiries across email, social media, and crowdfunding platforms—ensuring fast, professional, and consistent communication.

Proactive Marketing Support – Beyond handling inbound requests, the VA contributed to social media strategy and conducted an SEO audit to strengthen positioning ahead of launch.

Campaign Support – During the crowdfunding campaign, the VA supported backer communication, answered product questions, and maintained engagement—helping ensure a smooth experience for customers.

Seamless Integration – GetFriday implemented structured workflows using tools like Trello and Slack, allowing the VA to integrate efficiently into existing operations.

Cost Comparison: VA vs. Full-Time Employee

Full-Time Employee

• Base Salary: $40,000–$50,000
• Benefits: $10,000–$15,000
• Office & Equipment: $5,000–$10,000
• Recruitment & Onboarding: $5,000+
• Total: $60,000–$80,000 annually

GetFriday Virtual Assistant

• Flexible hourly or monthly pricing
• No benefits or office costs
• No recruitment overhead
• Pay only for productive hours

Result: ~15% cost savings with significantly greater flexibility

The Results

15% Cost Savings – Blisstil reduced administrative costs while maintaining high-quality support.

20+ Hours Saved Weekly – Time previously spent on admin tasks was redirected toward product development, manufacturing coordination, and go-to-market strategy.

Successful Product Launch – Consistent and professional communication contributed to a successful crowdfunding campaign.

Improved Market Positioning – SEO and social media improvements increased visibility in a competitive category.

Scalable Operations – Blisstil built systems that support growth without adding unnecessary overhead.

Client Testimonial

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with GetFriday, and I couldn’t be happier with the service provided by their team. The assistants have been exceptional, ensuring that all my virtual assistant needs are handled with efficiency and professionalism.

Their proactive communication and attention to detail have made a noticeable difference in my daily workflow. I highly recommend GetFriday to anyone looking for a reliable and capable virtual assistant partner.”

— Oliver Masson, Founder of Blisstil

Startup Founder’s Guide: When to Hire Your First VA

• Week 1–2: You’re spending 10+ hours per week on admin tasks
• Week 3–4: Customer support demand is growing but hiring isn’t justified
• Month 2+: You’re turning down opportunities due to lack of bandwidth

If any of these apply, it’s time to consider virtual assistant support.

Key Takeaway for Startups

Virtual assistants aren’t just about reducing costs—they’re about freeing up time to focus on what truly drives growth.

For hardware startups in particular, this flexibility can be the difference between a smooth product launch and operational overload.

Ready to Scale Your Startup Efficiently?

Discover how much time and cost you could save with virtual assistant support.

Schedule a free consultation to receive a tailored plan for your business.