06/01/2026
Hi everyone, I'd like to address a growing issue in the grooming industry: burnout, messages, texts, emails, and days off/boundaries. So this is a friendly reminder about what to expect when you reach out to me and why.
Like many small business owners who run a successful business and love their clients, I often receive messages at all hours of the day and night. I understand that when you're thinking about your dog's appointment, scheduling, or grooming needs, it's easiest to send the message right then, and that is fine.
Please know that sending that message does not mean I am available or obligated to respond immediately.
If I am closed, on vacation, enjoying a holiday weekend, spending time with family, or simply taking a day off, I will not respond until I return to work. I especially will not respond to nudges such as "hello?" "You there?" "Did you get my message?" Time off is important for avoiding burnout, and time off includes not reading, answering, or accepting the mental load of business messages.
A day off is not a workday from home, or wherever, just because I have my phone on me. Social media and electronics does not grant unfettered access or obligate me to conduct business on days I am not working. That is how burnout happens, and I am getting burned out.
I appreciate your patience and understanding while I maintain healthy boundaries that allow me to continue providing quality care for your pets.
If you send a message on a Friday night, weekend, at 2 am, a holiday, or vacation week, please allow me time to return it when I am back in the salon. I commonly schedule appointments W-F, only. My response may not be first thing in the morning, but likely in-between my scheduled clients as I have time. I promise I'm not ignoring you; I'm just buried.
To be clear:
Messages, texts, and emails, will generally only be returned during normal business hours. Those hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I work another job on Monday and Tuesday that does not allow much free time, and Tuesday evenings are Fire Department training.Then add random fire & medical calls I respond to as a Fire Captain and VFER, and my time outside of scheduled hours is pretty full. This makes my down time sacrosanct. For this reason I also decline to do appointment reminders. As a sole proprietorship, I have enough on my plate and it is not unreasonable to expect clients to remember their appointments.
Weekends, holidays, vacations, and scheduled days off are considered non-business days, and solid boundaries are essential.
Please do not assume that a message sent after hours will receive an immediate response.
Again, thank you for respecting my time away from the salon so I can continue providing the best care possible for your pets.
P.S. the 226-7118 line rings into the house and as such we have decided to no longer use it as a business contact choice due to the relentless spam and after hours phone calls disturbing the household, (and also because of a bad prospective client experience such that we now require all communications in writing.) We can be reached at Facebook messenger, 802.376.4694 text ONLY, or [email protected]
Which is also riddled with spam and messages can get lost.
Thank you,
Amy
