InboxDone operates as a managed service that handles the vetting and training of North American talent. Unlike marketplaces such as Somewhere.com, we take responsibility for the management and performance of the executive assistants. This structured system provides redundancy and reduces the workload for the executive.
What happens when you compare a service built around onshore, high-quality executive assistants to a company built around offshore hiring pipelines and lower-cost global labor?
You get two totally different experiences.
If you’ve been searching for Somewhere.com (formerly Support Shepherd) alternatives, I’ll walk you through why many founders and CEOs ultimately choose InboxDone instead.
There are usually four reasons why those looking for Somewhere.com alternatives choose InboxDone:
- You are guaranteed two dedicated, onshore executive assistants based in North America.
- Our assistants are selected around three core values: integrity, empathy, and reliability.
- They receive ongoing training, structure, and real support from leadership.
- InboxDone offers flexible monthly plans, with no long-term lock-in or binding commitments.
As you read this comparison of InboxDone and Somewhere.com, if you feel a sense of calm confidence, knowing you could finally work with onshore executive assistants who communicate well and understand your business, take this as a sign to move forward with InboxDone.
Where Does Somewhere.com Fall Short?
On its landing page, Somewhere.com markets itself as a global talent marketplace where you can hire full-time offshore talent for roles such as assistants, support staff, sales reps, and bookkeepers.
At first glance, the model looks simple:
- Pay a $500 refundable deposit.
- Review candidates.
- Hire someone full-time at offshore rates.
- Pay typically 25-35% of first-year salary for direct hires.
- Ongoing $1,600-$2,600 monthly fees for talent-on-demand.
For founders trying to reduce payroll costs, this seems promising.
But public feedback, from both clients and offshore workers, reveals recurring issues worth noting.
A detailed client review from a founder on Trustpilot pointed to:
- A lack of follow-through during onboarding.
- Candidates presented that didn’t match the clearly stated requirements.
- Feeling dismissed or unheard when giving feedback.
- Long waits for a backfill replacement.
- Contract terms were miscommunicated.
- And a general sense of poor care and accountability.
On Glassdoor, a current employee mentioned that while the people were friendly, the workload placed on offshore hires was heavy most of the time.
Yes, we know that anonymous reviewers on Glassdoor can sometimes have an axe to grind.
But if there is some truth to this review, do you really want to take a chance on an offshore assistant who feels overwhelmed with a large workload?
If this does prove to be a problem, it will eventually show up in the quality of your experience.
Of course, there are plenty of positive reviews from Somewhere.com clients and employees.
It’s a volume-based offshore recruiting machine, and like any marketplace model, the experience varies.
But is that the right foundation for the person who will be inside your inbox, calendar, internal processes, and operations every single day?
There is another way forward.
InboxDone’s Onshore, Fractional Model Is Better For Founders
Since 2017, we’ve been working closely with founders and CEOs, constantly learning from their unique challenges and workflows.
This direct experience has allowed us to continually refine our fractional executive assistant model to meet their burning desire for high-quality, dependable, and most importantly, flexible administrative support.
Here’s how InboxDone is built differently…
1 – You Only Pay For The Hours You Actually Need
Somewhere.com pushes full-time offshore hires, while InboxDone offers flexible monthly subscriptions.
It‘s a completely different approach.
Most founders don’t need a 40-hour assistant.
All they typically want is a few high-quality hours.
So, instead of paying full-time salaries (plus the 25-35% fee or monthly markup), InboxDone lets you scale hours up or down based on workload.
2 – You Get Two Onshore Executive Assistants, Not One
This is one of the biggest differences between InboxDone and Somewhere.com.
We offer you two dedicated assistants from day one, providing:
- Redundancy
- Coverage for time off
- Zero lapses in communication
- Smooth continuity
Somewhere.com offers one offshore hire, and if that person quits, is unavailable, or underperforms…
You’ll have to restart the entire process and wait to get paired with a new assistant.
With an extra assistant, we’re a step ahead.
3 – Onshore Assistants With Excellent Communication Skills
This is really important to us because we know how important it is to you.
InboxDone assistants are based in North America.
You don’t have to worry about:
- Assistants stumbling over nuance.
- Time-zone lag causing delays.
- Assistants guessing when context matters.
- Communication gaps frustrating you.
When your inbox is sensitive, and your schedule requires interpretation or initiative, having an onshore executive assistant in your corner makes a real difference.
4 – Our Assistants Can Wear Many Hats
Founders and CEOs are often surprised by just how much InboxDone assistants bring to the table.
We can pair you with two assistants who are competent and experienced in:
- Inbox management
- Calendar management
- Operations
- Client follow-up
- Internal coordination
- CRM updates
- Data entry
- System documentation
- Customer support
- Recurring admin tasks
What would your week look like if we could take all of the above tasks off your plate?
What would your week look like if we could take all of the above tasks off your plate?
Our clients can tell you! We have no shortage of case studies on our website.
You can start with Katie Dillon’s case study.
She runs an online travel business called La Jolla Mom.
When we began working with Katie, she was drowning in emails.
Katie’s two dedicated assistants reduced her unread email count from 100,000 to zero by developing an email management system that compartmentalized her professional and personal life.
They also worked with Katie on several other tasks from the list above.
Somewhere.com can place an assistant in these roles, but you’re relying on a single offshore hire whose capabilities can vary widely, and whose performance isn’t managed or supported long-term.
5 – Long-Term Consistency Without the Turnover Risk
At Somewhere.com, reviews point to turnover, mismatched candidates, and delays in replacement hires.
InboxDone solves this by:
- Rigorous hiring standards
- Ongoing coaching
- Two-assistant redundancy
- Long-term pairing principles
Clients stay with the same assistants for years because they simply cannot afford to lose them.
What InboxDone Offers That Somewhere.com Cannot Match
Somewhere.com might be a fit if:
- You want the lowest possible labor costs.
- You’re okay managing and training your assistant yourself.
- You don’t mind potential misalignment or communication hurdles.
- You’re comfortable restarting searches if candidates don’t work out.
- You need full-time offshore labor, not executive-level support.
InboxDone is a fit if:
- You want something dependable, onshore, and low-friction.
- You value an assistant who understands nuance and context.
- You want two assistants for constant continuity.
- You prefer flexible hours over full-time commitments.
- You need tasks handled with care, judgment, and initiative.
So, if you’re comparing InboxDone with Somewhere.com, here’s the simple truth:
- Somewhere.com asks you to take a chance on offshore talent with mixed reviews, variable quality, and the typical unpredictability of a global marketplace.
- InboxDone guarantees two North American executive assistants on a flexible monthly plan built for a long-term partnership.
If you’re ready to experience the difference, book a call today and apply for two dedicated InboxDone assistants.
