WELCOME

My name is Chantal G. Désilets and I am the founder of Girl Friday International, a personal assistance service company, with the singular purpose of making your life easier and less stressful.

Do you ever feel like you are being pulled in 10 different directions at once?

Do you never seem to have enough time to pursue the things you enjoy, or spend enough time with the people you love? If so, you’re not alone.

In a recent survey taken to gauge how people spend their waking hours, so-called leisure time made up less than 10 per cent of the respondents’ total hours.

Away from work, we spend too much time stuck in traffic, standing in lines, waiting for appointments, and not enough time playing with our children, pursuing our hobbies, or simply relaxing.

That’s where I come in.

GFI promises to make your life less stressful and more enjoyable by taking care of all the things that prevent you from doing what your heart desires.

As your Girl Friday (aka Personal Assistant), I can organize and manage your home office, help you declutter and downsize, house sit, pet sit, dog walk, shop, and organize your private events. I even work with the senior community.

The possibilities are endless…

DECLUTTERING AND HOME REORGANIZING

Decluttering can be therapeutic because it provides a sense of control over your environment, reduces distractions, alleviates stress and anxiety caused by clutter, and can boost your self-esteem by allowing you to create a more organized and calming space.

Essentially, cleaning out mental clutter as well as physical items can lead to improved focus, better sleep, and a general feeling of well-being. 

A clean and organized space minimizes distractions, allowing for better concentration and productivity. 

The act of decluttering and making decisions about what to keep or discard can provide a feeling of accomplishment and control over your surroundings. 

Some psychologists compare decluttering to clearing your mind, letting go of unnecessary thoughts and mental baggage associated with clutter. 

Successfully decluttering your space can contribute to a positive self-image and feeling of self-belief. 

HOUSE SITTING

Whether you are a snowbird, on a vacation, a business trip, or just need a short break from it all, house sitting is the way to go. 

I offer several services depending on your situation and requirements.

Starting with the basics, I can visit your home a few times a week to make sure that your property is safe and properly looked after.  I can pick up the mail, water the plants, take out the garbage, turn lights on and off if they are not regulated by a timer, and so on…

If you do not want to or cannot bring your pets on vacation with you, I can stay in your residence for the duration of your absence. That way, your fur baby or babies’ routine will not be disrupted. They will remain in their happy and familiar environment instead of staying at a kennel.  Should that be the case, please refer to my sister company’s website for further elaboration (www.tgifbygfi.ca).

PERSONAL ASSISTANT

As a former Personal Assistant to two Cabinet Ministers and as Executive Assistant to a few presidents and CEOs of medium and large-size companies, I believe that I can be of great assistance either at your company, in your home office, or remotely.

I will be your primary point of contact.  I will manage your calendar, handle all communication, make your travel arrangements, and prepare documents to ensure excellent meetings and presentations.  I will also run errands as needed, track and manage expense reports, conduct research, liaise with clients, as well as a variety of administrative tasks to ensure that your daily operations run smoothly.

I have extremely strong organizational skills, an excellent work ethic, and the ability to prioritize multiple demands simultaneously.

Through my years of experience, I have learned to communicate effectively with people from various backgrounds and cultures.  I have a passion for customer service and an ability to create relationships with clients, colleagues, suppliers, sponsors, stakeholders, and senior representatives. I possess the experience and maturity to ask questions so that I can quickly identify and understand the needs of people in various situations and in the official language of their choice.

I can manage stressful situations in an efficient and professional manner.  My analytical and logical mind enables me to make sound decisions in various circumstances that may occur. With these attributes, I remain calm, collected, diplomatic, and friendly in even the most demanding situations which promotes trust, respect, self-awareness, inclusion, and open communication.

PERSONAL SHOPPING

I realize that most of you are going the Amazon route but for those of you who are not using this service because you want to support our local stores, you want to encourage our Canadian companies, or you are a senior who does not trust sharing your banking information with a computer (my mother is one), please reach out to me.

I promise that I will hand-pick the freshest products and I will conduct cost comparisons to save you money.  I also promise that your bread won’t be packed at the bottom of the bag. I am certain that some of you can relate.

If you do not have time to pick up the perfect gift for an anniversary, birthday, or an LCBO run for a dinner party, please reach out. I’ve got your back.

Shopping has always been an exciting activity for me. I am resourceful, patient, and can always spot items that are unusual and fun.

I can even gift wrap your purchases should you desire…

PET CARE

Animals are my life. I have always had pets growing up as a child and my love for them has only grown stronger as I have grown older.

I have a passion for learning and understanding everything about them by taking courses, observing them, and networking with pet communicators and educators.

My experience in Pet Care ranges from having my own pets for over forty years, caring for my family’s, my friends’, and my clients’ pets, working at the SPCA of Western Quebec, working for a groomer, taking pet first aid courses, and volunteering at animal shelters over the years.

Thank God it’s Friday by Girl Friday International (TGIF by GFI) is a reliable (mostly but not limited to) weekend pet sitting and pet walking company.

TGIF offers Home Away from Home, At Home, Time Out, and À la Carte services exclusively for small dog breeds and felines too, one family at a time. Please note that I do not accept packs unless they are from the same household. 

I am here to help relieve the worry and anxiety that pet owning in today’s busy lifestyle can bring.  With me, you can leave home guilt free, while your fur babies are having the time of their life.

I promise to always treat your fur babies with the same love, care, respect, and devotion that I give to my very own babies.

Should this service interest you, please refer to my sister company’s website at www.tgifbygfi.ca.

Thank you for entrusting me with these very important members of your family.  It is greatly appreciated.

PRIVATE EVENTS

Have you ever planned an event that did not go according to plan?

Have you ever found yourself with too many things left to take care of just a few days, or even hours, before the BIG day and wished that someone could either help you with the task at hand or simply take over?

As a former conference services and event manager, this is where I come in.

I have planned, organized, coordinated, managed, and implemented IPP (Internationally Protected Persons), international, national, and regional conferences and events, international missions, diplomatic visits, ministerial and spousal tours, seminars, board meetings, fundraisers, press conferences, selection juries, workshops, award ceremonies, silent auctions, golf tournaments, weddings, corporate and private functions, and the list goes on…

SENIOR CARE

This service has been and will always be very important to me on many levels.

The idea behind its creation started when I witnessed firsthand how my grandmother was treated and the many challenges she faced not in one, but in four retirement homes.  It absolutely broke my heart.

Some of my clients still live at home while others are part of a retirement community.  They are either alone by choice, because they never had any children, they no longer have any living relatives, or simply because they have been forgotten… Whatever the reason, I am available to make their lives as enjoyable as possible.

First and foremost, I will make sure that they are eating well and that they are healthy.  I will read to them, tidy up, or simply keep them company.  I will also bring those who are still mobile on short and gentle walks, or whatever tickles their fancy.

Being a former Swedish massage therapist, I also offer to rub their hands and feet to activate their circulation. They love it.

In closing, whether you are a caregiver who needs a break from your responsibility or know someone who might benefit from my services, please reach out. I would love to help.

SERVICE FEES

Regular services are $40 per hour and $300 for a full 8-hour day.

Emergency and last-minute services (24-hour notice or less) are $50 per hour and $380 for a full 8-hour day.  These prices may change depending on the complexity of the services required.

House sitting services vary from $50 to $100 per day depending on the complexity of the services required, and if there are pets involved.

Long-term rates are available upon request.

Thank you for supporting my business. It is greatly appreciated

Please use the form below to send a message.  I will get back to you within 24 hours.  If urgent, please call or text me at 613-220-4727, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Chantal G. Désilets

girlfridayinternational@gmail.com
613-220-4727