by Kara | Jan 13, 2021 | Organizational
Organizing calendar events, grocery lists, class schedules and work to-dos can be overwhelming. Luckily in 2021, we have some helpful technology to keep on top of it. The following are some of our favorite virtual assistant tools to help keep you and your family organized in the new year.
Cozi Family Organizer
Cozi is pretty much the ultimate virtual assistant tool for family organization. This app works as a shared calendar letting you keep your appointments, activities, school events, and more all in one place. You’ll find it simple to share not only your family members’ schedules, but things like grocery lists and meal prep plans to keep everyone on the same page.
Our Family Wizard
This co-parenting app is a blessing for parents who need a streamlined and easy way to communicate with each other in regards to their kids. Input your schedule, expenses, reimbursement requests to share between parties and document all communication. Our Family Wizard helps avoid conflict and smooth out bumps in the co-parenting road so you can focus on what really matters — your children.
[Related: How to Handle the Household When Your Spouse Travels]
BusyKid
If you have a big family, you know what a tremendous help it is when everyone pitches in around the house. However, assigning chores and managing allowances can be a frustrating part of household management. BusyKid is a virtual assistant tool that helps families simplify the process. You can create a list of weekly chores that kids can check off once completed. BusyKid is also a great beginner saving and budgeting tool. Parents can assign an allowance and can deposit it directly into their child’s bank account or put onto a gift card.
Evernote
There’s nothing quite like crossing everything off of your to-do list. Evernote is a popular list-making and note-taking app that lets you easily share and organize content and reminders with your friends and family. People love Evernote for its visual and audio aspect. They make it simple to add images and record and share audio notes.
Apple Reminders
Sometimes all you need is a simple reminder. Luckily there’s a high chance you already have this built-in virtual assistant tool at your fingertips. Apple Reminders is a task management tool that is developed for Apple Inc.’s iOS, macOS, and watchOS products. You can even share your reminders with family members. Create reminders and set notifications to help “future you” stay organized.
Simple Habit
After running through to-do lists, working from home, helping your kids with virtual learning, assigning chores and setting reminders, we could all use a helpful nudge to relax and breathe. Simple Habit is the answer. This app provides quick and helpful on-the-go guided meditations. Just choose your situation (from waiting in line to trying to fall asleep) and quiet your mind.
[Related: Why Self-Care is Crucial, and How to Make Time For It]
Contact Pepper’s Personal Assistants
In conclusion, even with the help of virtual assistant tools at the tip of our fingers, you’re only one person. Reaching out for help is never something to be ashamed of. Pepper’s Personal Assistants is ready to support you with service packages starting at 5 hours a week. From grocery shopping and meal prep to appointment scheduling and bill pay — we can help you handle it and stay on top of 2021. Contact us today to get started!
by Kara | Dec 9, 2020 | Gifts
The holidays are just around the corner, and although this year looks a little different, some may say that it’s more important than ever to let your friends and family know that you’re thinking of them. One way to do this while at the same time supporting your community, is to shop local.
From houseplants to virtual movie tickets, here are some gift ideas from our favorite local businesses.
Flowers and Plants
Did you know that having fresh flowers and plants in your home can decrease stress, improve your focus, and spark creativity? It doesn’t hurt that they also immediately update a room, making any interior decor look a little more put together. This December, give the gift of flowers and plants from these local businesses.
The Plant Store
The Plant Store is located in South Seattle’s White Center neighborhood, and sells a variety of plants, ceramic pots, pins, stickers, and other accessories to add to any plant-lover’s collection. They also have gift cards available just in case you can’t make up your mind.
Bloom Away
If you’re looking to gift something a bit more unique, like a one-of-a-kind holiday wreath or a beautiful dried flower crown, Bloom Away is your best pick. Although they don’t have a brick-and-mortar location, Bloom Away delivers to Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Woodinville — and ships nationwide.
Black Origin Plants
You can find affordable, beautiful houseplants from Black Origin Plants on Instagram, as well as in-store at Lillith Tattoo in Fremont (be sure to email ahead or let them know you’re there for the plants, since they aren’t taking tattoo walk-ins at this time). Support Black-owned local businesses this holiday season and follow them for news about pop-up plant markets and artist collaborations!
[Related: How Hiring a Personal Assistant Can Support Your Family While Remote Learning and Working From Home]
Soap and Skincare
Nothing says self-care like skincare. Taking time out of your day to treat your skin with fragrant lotions, oils, and soaps can seem like a radical act of decadence — which is why it’s a perfect gift to give someone who needs to relax this winter.
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Botanicals is a Seattle-based skincare company that creates products made up of all active, non-toxic, organic ingredients. From soaking salts and jade rollers, to face masks and CBD skincare, Herbivore has it all. Find them in several different boutique locations in Seattle as well as online.
Seattle Sundries
Perfect for relatives or friends from out of town, Seattle Sundries sells soaps, lotions, and lip balms that are all-natural and locally made. Gift a bar of Jet City Soap, in a package that comes with a little Seattle history lesson, or a solid lotion bar in the seasonally appropriate orange spice scent.
Beer and Wine
After a year like 2020, a lot of us could probably use a drink. Instead of grabbing a bottle of wine off the grocery store shelf to send off as a gift, consider some of these local Seattle wine and beer shops.
Bottlehouse Wine Bar
This wine bar located in the Madrona neighborhood offers a rotating collection of Pacific Northwest wines as well as global favorites. They are currently offering holiday wine sets with free Seattle metro-area delivery, as well as memberships to their wine club. 2021’s wine club theme is “Rivers & Roads.”
Molly’s Bottle Shop
Molly’s Bottle Shop is a natural wine shop in Ballard offering delicious, hand-picked wines for local delivery or in-store pickup. Molly also offers gift cards, bottle club memberships, as well as memberships to Book Cru, which sends monthly book and wine pairings — and would make a perfect gift for the wine and literature-lover in your life.
Stoup Brewing
Here’s to the beer-person in your life. This Ballard favorite boasts a wide variety of award-winning beers. Check out Stoup Brewing’s website to online order local brews in four-packs and 32 oz crowlers for you and your friends, and while you’re there check out some of their unique merch.
[Related: How to Successfully Prepare for the Holidays]
Soda
Do you like the idea of sending tasty beverages to friends and family, but know that alcohol isn’t their thing? Seattle is home to some delectable alternatives.
Rachel’s Ginger Beer
If you have yet to try Rachel’s Ginger Beer, whether it’s their delicious original recipe or some of their mouth-watering combos (caramelized pineapple, pink guava, passion fruit and vanilla, just to name a few), now is the time to change that. Grab a bottle for yourself and send a variety pack to your friends or family. Rachel’s Ginger Beer delivers via Postmates, is available to pick up at one of their four Seattle locations, and also ships nationwide.
Dry Soda
Dry Soda Company makes delicious non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, in flavors such as Fuji Apple, Blood Orange, Rainier Cherry, and many more. They also sells a special mixology gift set that comes with their guide to “zero-proof cocktails” as well as everything your loved one needs for an at-home mocktail party. Place your order online, they ship nationally.
Movies
Seattle is a big film-loving city. Did you know Seattle International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the United States and Scarecrow Video in the University District has the biggest accessible collection of movies in the entire world? Support these local film institutions and share Seattle’s love of motion pictures with a friend or family member this December.
Ark Lodge Cinemas
Ark Lodge Cinemas in South Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood is one of the city’s oldest theaters, located in a beautiful renovated Masonic building from 1921. Usually busy showing first-run movies on their two screens, COVID-19 has caused them to shut down for the better part of the year. Buy one of their cool, local-artist designed t-shirts or gift a friend a virtual cinema ticket today.
Seattle International Film Festival
Why not give someone special a Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) membership? The membership includes virtual benefits, and once SIFF can safely return to its yearly festival, they won’t miss out on the hundreds of unique films screened throughout the city, or any of the special parties and events that come with. You can also purchase them tickets to SIFF’s virtual screenings, or make a donation in their name.
The Beacon Cinema
Do you know someone who is really missing the theater experience? The Beacon Cinema in Columbia City is offering private rentals for parties up to 12 people (following all safety protocol, including wearing masks and distancing from anyone not in the same household) to watch a movie of their choice. If they aren’t sure what they want to watch, they can have the knowledgeable, film-loving staff at The Beacon curate their evening.
Scarecrow Video
Believe it or not, Seattle not only still has a video rental store — but it’s the most exhaustive collection of video rentals in the entire world. You read it right, Scarecrow Video has over 150,000 unique titles available to the public. They also sell used and new VHS, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Fill out a short questionnaire and send a friend a mystery box full of unique titles based on their interests, or grab a special Scarecrow Video t-shirt.
[Related: Winter Home Maintenance Checklist]
Cookies and Treats
Nothing says “I love you” like baked goods — right? Here are a few of our favorite Seattle treat providers that can help you with anyone on your list that has a sweet-tooth.
Lowrider Cookie Company
Located in the Central District and in Georgetown and named for the owner’s love for dachshunds, Lowrider Cookie Company handcrafts some seriously delicious cookies and cakes. Send a gift card to a friend, or order a box of eight cookies and drop them off at their doorstep. Their December special flavors are stuffed chai chocolate, whiskey old fashioned, pillow mint, and red velvet with chocolate chips.
Sugar + Spoon
Know someone who loves licking the batter off of the spoon when baking? Now they can do it safely — and deliciously — with Sugar + Spoon’s no-egg cookie dough. Send off a bundle of their mouth-watering classic flavors, choose your own combinations, or purchase a digital gift card.
Savor Seattle
Savor Seattle, a food-tour company based out of Pike Place Market, has created holiday gift sets filled with local snacks perfect for your relatives on the other side of the country. Show them just what makes Seattle so appetizing. Make sure to get your orders in as early as possible.
If you need assistance during the holidays, whether that means picking up online orders, wrapping presents, ordering cards, or dropping gifts for family and friends off at the post office, Pepper’s Personal Assistants can help.
Visit our website and read about our different service packages to decide which is the best for you, and schedule a call with us today. We’re happy to help you make this holiday season holly, jolly, and as stress-free as possible.
by Kara | Nov 20, 2020 | General, Parenting
As a business owner and mother of two, I’ve experienced my fair share of stressful events. Acknowledging this stress – as well as the lack of resources available to truly help manage it – led me to start Pepper’s Personal Assistants eight years ago.
When a major life event occurs, people often provide a singular idea to help. “Hire a cleaning person,” they say, or, “order your groceries online.” These are valid ideas, but often don’t provide the type of solution that brings real relief. Stressful times call for a resource who can find and manage the housecleaner, as well as other home maintenance providers (e.g., gardener, handyman). They also call for someone who can go the extra mile – not just buying the groceries but also prepping meals and cleaning up. Our team of personal assistants manages these tasks for clients every day.
Here’s a list of the most stressful events where we’ve come in to assist clients. Are you or those in your network experiencing any of these? The right level of support can make a difference – here’s how:
- Moving – We all know this is a difficult process, regardless of the distance between your old and new homes. It’s especially tough if the new home is in an area where you don’t have a network of family and friends. We help clients by screening moving companies; managing day-of-move; and organizing the sale and donation of unneeded items. Our assistants also assist clients who are purchasing or selling vacation homes.
- Family Changes – Marriage, a new baby, divorce, and death all usher in major changes in the home that require adjustment and resources. Two additional changes in 2020 have increased the burden on parents: Having the entire family at home all day as we work/learn remotely during the pandemic, and making space for adult children who return to the nest. According to Pew Research, the majority of young adults – 52 percent – now live with their parents, an increase of 5 points this year. Our assistants organize workspaces; source desks and other furniture; and handle extra meal prep and chores for these full households.
- Injury and Illness – Recovering from a health issue can be easier with the right help. Our assistants prepare healthy meals, run errands, and can arrange the home so it’s easier to manage. The team follows strict Covid-19 protocols for safety and cleanliness.
- New Career – Landing a new job is an exciting change, but it often means devoting more time to work in the first few months so you can get acclimated and make an impact. Having a personal assistant handle daily household tasks means you can focus on your career without distractions. It also means that your free time is just that: You can spend it on hobbies, with loved ones, or whatever else you’d like, instead of tracking a long to-do list of chores.
- Travel – It’s easy to worry about your home while you’re away, and think about all the things that need attention. Your personal assistant can line up and supervise contractors for a variety of projects (e.g., painters, repairmen), as well as tidy your home and have a meal ready for when you return. Recently, we helped a client by sending items they forgot to pack via overnight delivery and clearing the rain and debris that blocked their outdoor security cameras.
- Holiday Season – Assistants can handle gift shopping, mailing, and decorating tasks. We recently helped a client with holiday cards – from buying outfits for each family member to selecting the photographer, scheduling the shoot, and ordering the cards. All they had to do was show up for the picture!
Pepper’s Personal Assistants is on standby to help you out and relieve stress in your life. Book your consult call today to find out how we can help you in this busy season.
by Kara | Oct 29, 2020 | Grocery, Outsourcing
Although it may feature less extended family and friends, Thanksgiving dinner might actually mean a little more this year. After all of the hardships of 2020, sitting down around the table with your loved ones and reflecting on what you’re all thankful for will undoubtedly carry a bit more weight.
Avoid worrying about finding the perfect turkey and focus on what really matters — spending time with your family. Check out these local Seattle resources to get your Thanksgiving meal shopping done quickly and efficiently while supporting your community.
Central Co-Op
This natural foods grocery store has locations in both the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle and in Tacoma, and is dedicated to sustainable practices and community accountability. Shop here for all of your Thanksgiving meal needs, or purchase their traditional or vegan Thanksgiving dinner meal kit. Their ordering forms for the holiday will be live on their website in early November.
Ken’s Market and Marketime Foods
Ken’s Market in Greenwood and Marketime Foods in Greenwood are independently-owned and family-operated staples in their communities. You are guaranteed to find the freshest, best ingredients for a delicious holiday meal in their aisles, and they also offer complete turkey dinners with sides for two or more people in their deli.
[Related: How Hiring a Personal Assistant Can Support Your Family While Remote Learning and Working From Home]
Metropolitan Market
With seven Seattle locations and multiple awards under their belt, Metropolitan Market is a top contender for best local grocery store for Thanksgiving meal prep. Their deli offers premium meats, sides, and desserts, while their aisles are chock full of top-notch ingredients to create a great turkey day. You can even reserve your holiday meal order now with plenty of options for a fully prepared meal or a variety of heat and serve and uncooked choices, saving you the stress of last minute shopping and prep.
Bob’s Quality Meats
Bob’s Quality Meats is a small, local butcher shop in the Columbia City neighborhood of South Seattle. This classic shop has provided the neighborhood with the freshest meats from the most sustainable pastures for generations, and is well-versed in providing the perfect turkey (or chicken, or steak, etc.) for Thanksgiving dinner.
Let Pepper’s Personal Assistants Help!
Whether you’re pulling out the family recipes to create a made from scratch Thanksgiving dinner, or you’re opting to grab a delicious pre-made kit from a local grocer, you can outsource these tasks and more to Pepper’s Personal Assistants to help the holiday go smoothly.
Our Personal Assistant package includes a dedicated assistant to help you out 12-40 hours a week. Your personal assistant can help create a grocery list, go shopping, prep food before the big dinner, and even help tidy up around the house.
Just need a little assistance to get everything done? Our Task Assistant package comes with 5 hours of dedicated assistance to help you cross off your to-do list, including grabbing any last minute items from the store or doing light meal prep.
Contact us today to see how Pepper’s Personal Assistants can help make your Thanksgiving and holiday season one to remember!
by Kara | Oct 13, 2020 | Business, General, Outsourcing, Parenting, Small Business
Many great business leaders share a common belief: Employees are the main contributor to an organization’s success. These leaders know that when they hire great people and treat them well, these employees will provide clients with an excellent experience, and help the business thrive.
In 2012, I started Pepper’s Personal Assistants, with this same approach. I focused on building a culture of “togetherness.” While our assistants work directly in client homes, we hold in-person meetings and social events throughout the year to continue building on our solid culture. There’s certain energy we gain from these face-to-face gatherings, and it reminds us that we’re all part of one team that likes to share successes, solve problems, support one another, and have fun.
Covid-19 forced us to cancel these meetings and shift to Zoom and other online forums. We truly miss connecting with each other in person. Our business faced many challenges, as our assistants were unable to perform work within client homes for nearly three months. As we worked to create a path forward for our team and our clients, we continued to focus on our core approach. Our employees needed support and not just at work, but for the uncertainties, they were facing in their personal lives as well.
I was honored to be included in this Wall Street Journal story: Battling Pandemic Blues: How Managers Can Rally the Troops. Here are a few additional thoughts I have on how to manage effectively and keep your focus on employees:
- Show grace – This is an unprecedented time, and employees are facing a number of different fears and uncertainties – for their own emotional and physical health and that of their families; stress from their children’s online learning; and isolation for those living alone or facing loss. Focus on supporting each employee as a whole person, not just a worker. Be patient and kind, as you may be the only source of stability and understanding in their lives right now.
- Continue offering pay and benefits – During the time when we could not visit client homes, we were fortunate to be able to continue paying our employees and offering benefits, thanks to many of our clients generously continuing with reduced packages. This helped alleviate worries about financial stability during the shutdown. Team members were grateful and wanted to be productive during this time. We scheduled a number of online training sessions so they could build their skill sets in different areas. Our team also helped clients with tasks remotely, like doing online research and preparing children for remote learning.
- Get in front of issues – Before the governor issued shutdown orders, we were already creating a plan and talking with employees and clients. We did the same when we were allowed back into client homes with safety protocols. Being transparent with my team is a central part of how I manage the business. Sharing challenges and approaches also means I’m open to the team’s input, ideas and support, all of which are integral to success as we move forward.
- Provide a sense of purpose – Give team members projects that will stretch their skills and enable them to contribute in a meaningful way. One of our household managers, for example, is an excellent cook and gave our team a Zoom training on cooking techniques during the shutdown. Everyone loved it and learned from it. This employee gained new skills in planning and presenting a training to the team. She’s also now the “go-to” expert for questions on recipes and meal prep.
- Hold meetings that aren’t focused on work – We’ve held Zoom meetings focused on self-care, with each employee offering a tip to their colleagues. I call employees regularly without an agenda, just to check in and ask how they’re doing and how I can support them. I want my team to know that I genuinely care and want to help them through this time, even if it’s just to listen or provide some encouragement.
This continues to be a challenging environment, but I’m proud of how our team continues to work through uncertainty and support one another. Communicating frequently, being transparent and treating your employees as people first will help keep your culture strong. Investing in your team will bring huge benefits: Once the pandemic is behind us, you’re likely to have a stronger and more cohesive team than ever before.
