Executive Assistant vs Personal Assistant vs Admin Assistant: What’s the Difference, Really?

If you have ever searched for help in your business and gotten overwhelmed by all the assistant titles out there, you are not alone. Executive assistant, personal assistant, admin assistant, they sound similar, but they each do something a little different. And if you are trying to figure out what kind of help actually makes sense for you, it is worth getting clear.

I work as an executive assistant for creatives and small business owners in Honolulu. I am not a full-time hire and I am not part of your in-house team. I am the person you bring in when your to-do list is too long and your schedule is stretched thin. I work by the hour, on-call, with no contracts and no pressure. I step in, take care of what needs doing, and help you stay focused on your work without all the noise.

So let’s break down the difference between each kind of assistant so you can find the right support.

A personal assistant helps with your life outside of work.
They are the one running errands, picking up your lunch, organizing the closet, scheduling dentist appointments, and restocking the guest bathroom before your in-laws show up. They are great when your life admin is overflowing and you need someone to take care of the everyday details that are not tied to your business.

An admin assistant works inside an office or team.
They support managers, departments, or company staff with things like data entry, reception, meeting coordination, filing, and internal processes. Admin assistants are often part-time or full-time employees with set hours and direct supervision. They keep things moving within an organization and are usually more focused on repeatable, process-driven tasks.

An executive assistant helps you stay on top of your business.
This is where I come in. I support creative entrepreneurs, consultants, and small business owners who are running the show, usually on their own or with a small team. I help with inbox management, scheduling, vendor communication, client follow-up, retreat planning, file organization, launch prep, travel logistics, and the random one-off tasks that stack up during busy seasons.

I am a task-taker. That means you can send me the list and trust that I will handle it. I do not need to be micromanaged and I do not need hours of onboarding. You do not have to commit to full-time help or figure it all out in advance. You can bring me in for five hours one week and twenty the next, depending on what you need.

And while I am focused on tasks, I am also comfortable handling the bigger picture when needed. If something requires clear thinking, coordination, or light decision-making, I can manage that too. I am not just checking boxes, I am helping you create more space in your day and more clarity in your workflow.

If your to-do list is growing, your systems are messy, or your inbox is making you want to scream, you probably do not need a full-time assistant—you just need the right kind of help, at the right time. That is what I offer.

Hourly executive assistant support, built for creatives and small business owners who are doing a lot with a little. No contracts, no minimums, just real help when you actually need it.