t shouldn’t be lost on any of us how much easier our lives are because of the internet. It allows us to advertise our grooming services using engaging social media for little to no cost, and it makes it so much more efficient to use online software to manage all aspects of our businesses. Now we can even get staffing assistance to help manage our grooming schedules, books and logistics without having to hire an in-person employee through the use of virtual assistants.
The term “Virtual Assistant,” or “VA,” can sometimes be used to refer to an AI tool that records what you are saying or uses voice commands to compose emails or perform searches. However, the most common form of a VA is a real human being that works independently and remotely from home, which can be invaluable for us busy, hard-working grooming business owners.
VAs can help take your social media or bookkeeping to the next level—but they also really shine in client communication, scheduling and backend organization. Think of tasks like a virtual receptionist or even auditing client notes.
“This model could work exceptionally well for the many groomers that work alone, or for the very small salons where everyone that works there is working on dogs all day long,” she adds.
Independent VAs who work remotely may not need to be not paid as employees, which can be a great money-saver since you wouldn’t be paying for all the associated employee taxes. If they are fully legal independent contractors, they may be saving money themselves by working from home.
While virtual assistant regulations vary with the situation, many VAs can qualify legally to be treated as an independent contractor, not working in the same line of business as your grooming salon. But be sure to check with your accountant or tax attorney to make sure you are following all the appropriate laws.
“A virtual assistant is someone who supports a business remotely by handling tasks that do not require them to be physically present in the salon or office. They help take administrative, communication, marketing, and organizational work off the business owner’s plate so the business can run more smoothly.”
– River Lee
“The price varies depending on the VA’s experience, skillset, and specialty,” explains River. “A highly trained VA who understands the grooming industry, systems, and customer communication, and can help reach business goals will charge more than a basic administrative assistant.”
The remote tasks they can perform are virtually endless. Depending on which VA you hire, they can answer your emails, update your website, manage your social media and schedule appointments. A busy groomer can have calls forwarded to the VA’s phone so your grooming business still retains that personal touch with a live, welcoming voice. They can even call or text clients to notify them of pick-up times when their dogs are ready.
Given the importance of the outreach of social media and its ability provide free advertising and build clientele, a virtual assistant with social media skills can be especially helpful. By giving the VA your social media accounts to manage, they can do the work of putting out fun, entertaining, educational and professional-looking posts that will draw in more clients.
“The best fit is going to be someone who understands the grooming industry and the tone of your business,” advises River. “In a mobile grooming business, for example, it helps tremendously if the VA understands client behavior, mobile scheduling challenges, one-on-one grooming workflow, and the difference between rescheduling due to weather versus clients simply trying to stretch out appointments.”
“The best way to evaluate if someone is the right fit is to look at more than just price,” River explains. “Ask how they communicate, what types of businesses they have supported, how they handle difficult pet parents, what systems or tools they are familiar with, and how they handle real-life situations in your business.
“It can also help to start with a short trial period or a clearly defined set of tasks so both sides can see whether it is a strong fit before making the bigger commitment,” she adds.
You may even think about becoming a virtual assistant yourself if you’re ready to give up or cut back on the daily physical labor of professional pet grooming. For a groomer ready to stop the hard work of grooming but not yet ready to give up the income, this is a great way to transition and still use your grooming knowledge.
“A virtual assistant is not just a cheaper replacement for staff,” River notes. “They are a strategic support role. For many grooming business owners, hiring a VA can be a smart first step towards getting out of survival mode. The right VA helps create more structure, consistency, and breathing room, allowing the owner to focus on the parts of the business only they can do.”