Jason Fried

September 27, 2024

No assistant

No I don't have an assistant.

No I don't have anyone (or AI) reading or answering my emails or posts on my behalf.

Yes, my email address is very public.

Yes I get as many emails as you do, probably more.

Yes I have time to get back to people who write me. Not instantly, but eventually within reason.

A big part of my job is being accessible to customers, readers, followers, etc. That's what a CEO should be doing — staying in touch, hearing from people directly, responding to folks personally. Sharing a pulse.

If you don't have time, cut other things — don't cut this.

If you're an entrepreneur, and you outsource your availability, you're hurting yourself and your business. Especially as you're just getting going.

I'm amazed at how many early entrepreneurs seem to have PAs or AIs as their front line. What a mistake, what a waste. You might feel cool, but you're being a fool.

Nothing wrong with assistants or getting help from others on a variety of tasks, but always speak for yourself.

-Jason

About Jason Fried

Hey! I'm Jason, the Co-Founder and CEO at 37signals, makers of Basecamp and HEY. Subscribe below to follow my thinking on business, design, product development, and whatever else is on my mind. Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.