Man, finding the right person is the biggest nightmare. I don't believe you're ever going to find the right person but someone who is on time, reliable, honest and trustworthy is the key. The rest of the stuff you can usually teach them. Keep your eyes open for clients kids, friends, neighbours and make an honest posting on job websites.
I knew it was time for me to hire when I found myself doing things that someone else could do, while I am doing other more valuable and technical jobs. Someone I could trust to show up, communicate and do the stuff that I could teach them. I could handle the quotes and tougher jobs, but the straightforward work anyone could handle.
Only you know when it's time. You may fail and choose the wrong person but you'll learn from it.
There are literally thousands of us out there that are on time, reliable, honest and trustworthy. The key is finding those that don't want to do sales, marketing, customer service and endless communications and are happy to be an employee which, really, are most people. That's the really hard part of running a business....not the work on the tools. But it's also critical not to expect an employee to act like a businss owner. They don't have the same skin in the game and don't benefit the way an ownre does if all goes wll. For those you do find, treat them well... pay them well.... and give them lots of flexibility and you'll be able to maintain a good working relationship.
