Podcast Episode 07: Why Grooming Virtual Assistants Are Better Than AI Receptionists

Written By Jess

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Table — the podcast for pet professionals exploring life after grooming. Hosted by River Lee (Step Away From the Table) and Jess Frangos (Groomer Support Services), this episode speaks directly to grooming business owners (“supervisors” for sanity’s sake!) who are weighing the pros and cons of hiring a real human Grooming Virtual Assistant (VA) versus relying on AI or virtual receptionist tools.

Topics Covered:

1. What Is a Grooming Virtual Assistant (VA)?

  • A real person with grooming industry experience

  • Offers personalized, client-facing and backend support

  • Not on call 24/7 but operates with clear systems and boundaries

2. What Is an AI Receptionist and Why It Falls Short

  • Automated answering tools that lack industry-specific knowledge

  • Often rigid, impersonal, and unable to read context or emotion

  • Misses nuance in client communication and customer service recovery

3. Why Grooming VAs Outperform AI Tools

  • Can respond with warmth, empathy, and real-time judgment

  • Understand grooming-specific policies and language (like shave policies, breed-specific instructions)

  • Can handle high-maintenance or emotionally sensitive clients with care

4. Real-World Scenarios Where VAs Win

  • Handling upset clients after a grooming issue

  • Identifying red flags on intake forms

  • Delivering SMS/text communication that feels human, friendly, and on-brand

5. The Difference Between Support and Replacement

  • Groomer VAs use AI tools (like ChatGPT or Fathom) to support their work, not replace it

  • Automation can enhance productivity but can’t replace human oversight and empathy

6. Cost and Time Considerations

  • Supervisors may think AI saves money, but mishandled communication can cost more in the long run

  • VAs can operate within set office hours, reply once daily, and still preserve client satisfaction

  • Most VAs (like Jess) offer month-to-month, no-contract support so you can test what works best

7. What Level of VA Support Is Right for You?

  • Foundational: Task-based VA support (scheduling, messaging, updates)

  • Systems + Management: Strategic VA support (implementation, client communication, SOPs)

  • VAs can evolve with your business needs and grow alongside your team

Key Takeaways

  • Clients still prefer real people over robotic chatbots — even in a digital world

  • Groomer VAs bring industry-savvy, emotional intelligence, and customer care to every interaction

  • AI should support your business, not run it

  • A human VA can read the room, solve nuanced problems, and protect your brand tone

  • Start small with a grooming VA to experience the benefits before committing long-term

Learn More

Jess Frangos: Groomer Support Services

Website: www.groomersupport.com

Discovery Call: Free 30-minute intro call available

River Lee: Step Away From the Table & Savvy Groomer

Referral Link: Savvy Groomer Programs

Whether you’re a grooming business owner drowning in calls or a burned-out solo groomer thinking about your next step, this episode will help you understand the real difference between hiring a Grooming VA and relying on AI tools. Tune in and decide what kind of support your business really needs.

Follow the show for more episodes, share with a fellow groomer, or leave a review to support the community!

Jess https://jessfrangos.com
Next

Podcast Episode 6: How to Work With AI Instead of Against It as a VA