Athena vs. Wishup: Compare Executive Assistant Services

Leading a business can feel like a constant battle: Cross one to-do off your list, and two more pop up in its place. Executive assistants (EAs) can help, taking over the work that clutters your day and drains your focus. This includes tasks like managing your calendar and inbox, coordinating between stakeholders, and conducting research for high-impact projects.

But the digital EA marketplace is crowded, and choosing the best service takes time. Below, you’ll learn about the key differences between Athena versus Wishup so you can decide which is the better choice for you and your business.

Athena vs. Wishup: The Fundamentals

Athena and Wishup both pair you with EAs, but the two companies have some core differences that set them apart.

Athena Assistants are full-time employees, each dedicated to one client. This means they become an integral part of your workflow and decision-making process, anticipating needs early instead of just reacting to instructions. To make that happen, Athena carefully vets everyone who applies, and only the top 1% make it to training. After that, there’s an in-depth onboarding process to ensure deep alignment between you and your assistant. 

Wishup’s pre-vetted EAs can work part-time or full-time. They receive training in a variety of skills, from basic calendar and inbox management to workflow automation. Like many other EA services, Wishup’s assistants focus on administrative tasks to help people in a range of industries.

Why Hiring an Executive Assistant Is Worth the Investment

Taking on a pre-vetted EA comes with some impactful benefits for busy executives. Here are some of the biggest:

• Cost efficiency: Hiring means investing time and resources collecting applications and vetting candidates. This is an expensive endeavor that can cost 1.25 to 1.4 times a new employee’s salary. The process can be far more expensive compared to using an online EA service, which handles all the hiring and training for you.
• Time savings: For every task you delegate that doesn’t require your specific expertise, you make room for what truly matters. That means you spend more time on the work that matters and less on routine tasks better left to an EA.
• Better decision-making: Handling less busywork frees up mental bandwidth, which can lead to better decisions. And when you have an assistant who’s heavily integrated into your workflow, they often anticipate your needs and get you what you need before you ask. This helps you make informed decisions faster.
• Expertise on demand: Some EAs wear many hats, from bookkeeper to travel planner. This lets you access a wide range of skills without having to hire or contract individual specialists.

What Makes Athena’s Assistants Uniquely Effective

Athena’s EA service has several advantages that make it stand out:

• Exacting hiring standards: Only 1% of Athena EA applicants make the cut. The thorough vetting process involves multiple evaluation rounds, involving language and personality assessments, real-world projects, and a live screening.
• Structured onboarding: Athena has an intensive onboarding process that aims to fully integrate newly hired EAs into client workflows. Instead of just executing one-off tasks, the assistant becomes a trusted partner who can solve problems and handle high-impact work independently without the need for constant oversight.
• Ongoing training: Athena Assistants receive continuous training to both keep existing skills sharp and learn new tools and talents.
• Delegation training for executives: Delegating can feel uncomfortable, especially for hands-on business leaders used to handling everything. Every Athena client gets both personalized delegation training and access to an extensive database of delegation strategies and playbooks to ease the transition.
• Comprehensive benefits package for EAs: Athena personal assistants get comprehensive benefits, from essentials like health insurance and paid time off to bonus perks like wellness initiatives. This makes sure they’re well-supported and able to perform at their best, while also helping Athena attract top talent.
• Secure protocols: Athena’s in-person vetting, cyber insurance, and device monitoring technology keeps client data safe at all times.

What To Consider Before Choosing Wishup Assistants

Wishup’s personal assistants could be a good fit for you, but there are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind:

• Basic onboarding: Wishup’s onboarding is fast, taking as little as one hour. This might seem convenient, but there’s a trade-off in having less time for the assistant to become completely immersed in your daily operations, workflow, and long-term goals before getting to work.
• Less emphasis on strategic partnerships: Because Wishup is designed for speed, newly hired EAs may move straight into line-by-line task execution because they lack the time to learn your business and prepare for your next move. This means you may not have an assistant with the proactive problem-solving ability that comes with more in-depth onboarding and ongoing training.
• Lack of delegation training: Wishup’s marketing stresses training for assistants, but it doesn’t mention delegation coaching for executives. Without guidance, executives may find it difficult to get the most out of their new hires.

Athena vs. Wishup: How To Decide

Both services give you more time to focus on your highest-priority work, but they’re designed for different types of leaders and working relationships.

Here’s a chart to help you see how Athena and Wishup compare side by side.

The key consideration is relationship depth. Athena’s dedicated assistants integrate fully into your workflow, helping them anticipate your needs and take initiative. Wishup’s assistants are focused on speed and covering basic administrative tasks across different fields.

Another consideration is how long it takes to begin working with your new EA. Athena’s comprehensive onboarding can take weeks, while Wishup’s might last 60 minutes or even less.

Choose Athena if you’re looking for a long-term strategic partner to become part of your leadership team. Consider Wishup if you want help quickly and don’t need deep integration.

Athena: The High-Performing Executive’s Secret Weapon

Athena executive assistants do more than just set appointments and clear packed inboxes. They become full-time partners who understand your goals and work style. They know what you need and how to give it to you, often anticipating challenges and opportunities before they reach your desk. This ability gives you back hours every week, sharpens your decision-making, and lets you focus on the highest-value tasks in front of you.

Get Started With an Athena Assistant

The most effective business leaders know their time is too valuable to waste on work someone else could do. Athena Assistants learn your needs and priorities and work full-time to keep your focus on tasks that rely on your expertise and experience. With the right partner taking care of the details, you’ll find the freedom to trade the busywork for breakthroughs.

‍Get started with an Athena Assistant today to multiply your productivity and take back your focus.