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Writer's pictureKristin Richardson

Exploring the Distinctions Among Executive, Virtual, Personal and Family Assistants

Updated: Nov 29, 2023



what is the difference between an EA, PA, VA and FA in the assistant industry?
What is the difference?

In the ever-evolving relationship between work and home, the roles of assistants have also undergone a transformation, with the advent of virtual assistants revolutionizing the way individuals and businesses manage tasks. Plus you add Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the growing category of assistant support, and the possibilities are increasingly exciting as to how it can hopefully become even easier to manage our families and careers.


Traditionally, executive assistants helped only top brass leadership at companies. Personal assistants were individuals who worked in close geographic proximity to their clients, handling tasks in person for individuals' personal and professional lives - particularly those who could afford such a premium. In contrast, the rise of the recent virtual assistant company focused primarily on professional tasks for business executives and small business owners.


However, a new player has entered the scene, seeking to bridge the gap and offer comprehensive support to business professionals and families in both the physical and digital realms. Enter the Family Assistant, a solution that aims to cater to the diverse needs of modern families by supporting parents both virtually and in person. Sherah is the leader in this new and growing category leveraging highly experienced local assistants who are moms too and focused solely on supporting other local moms and their families.


Watch the video recording below of our webinar on


Defining the Roles


Executive Assistant: Managing the Demands of High-Level Professionals

Executive assistants play a crucial role in supporting high-level executives and professionals. Their responsibilities often include managing complex schedules, arranging travel, coordinating meetings, and handling confidential information. Executive assistants act as strategic partners, ensuring that executives can focus on their core responsibilities while the assistant manages the intricate details of their professional lives.


Personal Assistant: In-Person Support for Personal Tasks


The traditional personal assistant is a familiar figure, often found by the side of executives or high-profile individuals. These assistants provide in-person support, handling a range of personal tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing calendars, and overseeing day-to-day activities. Their focus is on making the lives of their employers more efficient and streamlined, with a strong emphasis on face-to-face interaction.


Virtual Assistant: Digital Support for Professional Life


Virtual assistants, on the other hand, have become synonymous with the digital age. Designed to cater primarily to the professional needs of business executives, virtual assistants leverage technology to manage emails, schedule appointments, an


d perform various administrative tasks remotely. They offer the convenience of working from anywhere, providing a seamless digital extension of an individual's professional life. Unfortunately they can't pick up that dry cleaning or birthday cake, and often then lack local market knowledge or understanding of the needs of their clients' personal lives.


The Rise of the Family Assistant


In response to the changing dynamics and increasing stress on modern families, Sherah has revolutionized the Family Assistant to focus on the needs of busy moms and families. This innovative role service combines the best of both worlds, offering support both in person and virtually. The Family Assistant is tailored to meet the unique demands of families, acknowledging that managing a household goes beyond the confines of a strictly professional or personal sphere.


Busy moms often find themselves having no one to delegate to who "gets it." But with a Family Assistant service like Sherah that leverages a community of local moms as the assistants, they can trust that the tasks they're delegating will be done as well if not even better than they would do them for their own family. Sherah assistants live, work and play in the same communities as the Sherah members, so the members can trust that tasks are being completed using the best local vendors and in the most efficient way possible.


Comprehensive Support for Busy Households


Unlike traditional personal or virtual assistants, the Family Assistant is equipped to handle the full spectrum of tasks required to keep a busy household running smoothly. From managing appointments and organizing family schedules to handling grocery shopping and overseeing home maintenance, the Family Assistant acts as a versatile and indispensable member of a busy mom and family's team.


Sherah's Family Assistant service recognizes the importance of a physical presence for certain tasks while harnessing the power of digital tools for others. This dynamic approach ensures that families receive the support they need, whether it be planning and setting up a birthday party for a child, or scheduling healthcare appointments and managing online calendar invitations.


As the demands on busy families continue to evolve, the distinctions between personal, virtual, and now Family Assistants will become more nuanced. Sherah's innovative approach to family support reflects a growing recognition of the diverse needs of modern busy moms and families with kids.






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