INDUSTRY
Landscaping
CHALLENGE
High administrative costs consuming profit margins lead to difficulty scaling operational functions efficiently. Additionally, missed opportunities for growth in areas like marketing, client communications, and operational support.
RESULTS
Hermes Landscaping partnered with Hey Lieu to implement highly skilled virtual assistants (VAs). This enabled them to significantly reduce operational costs, enhance client management, and free up resources to explore new business growth opportunities.
Assistance TYPES
Virtual Assistant, Executive Assistant, Premium Assistant (Marketing Specialist)
70%
Administrative cost reduction
40%
Improved customer response times
35%
Contract Administration Efficiency Boost
Graham Moyer.
Vp of Business Operations
The Results
The partnership with Hey Lieu resulted in immediate and measurable impacts. Within the first quarter of 2024, Hermes Landscaping achieved:
70% Administrative Cost Reduction
By replacing potential domestic hires with Hey Lieu VAs, Hermes saved approximately $42,000 per position annually. With 5 VAs implemented, this translates to projected annual savings of $125,000 – funds that can be reinvested in core operations.
40% Improved Customer Response Times
The dedicated support from VAs allowed Hermes to establish a more consistent communication cadence with clients. Account managers now maintain regular touchpoints, significantly enhancing customer perception and satisfaction.
35% Increase in Contract Administration Efficiency
EJ’s work in the commercial maintenance division streamlined contract tracking, renewal management, and customer communications – critical functions for maintaining stable revenue.
Implementation Timeline
Hermes Landscaping VA Implementation Timeline
Summary:
January '25: 2 initial VAs (EJ and Tina) for admin and operations support
February '25: Added 1 VA dedicated to contract administration
March '25: 2 more VAs being onboarded for customer support
Projected by EOY 2025: Expanding to 8–10 VAs across all departments
Graham summarized the impact succinctly:
"If you've got a million or two-and-a-half million-dollar business dropping 10% or 15% to the bottom line, it's meaningful if you can add one or two people with a more efficient resource like this."
Value Comparison
Ultimately, Hyre's VAs provided Hermes Landscaping with scalable, affordable, and highly capable resources, helping position the company for sustained growth while enhancing operational efficiency in their core maintenance business - the area Graham identified as "the meat of the market" for landscaping companies.
US-Based Equivalent
Administrative Staff: $40,000–$60,000 annual salary
Benefits & Overhead: Additional 20–30% costs
Limited flexibility in scheduling and scaling
Hey Lieu Solution
Full-time VA: Approximately $18,000 annually
Limited flexibility in scheduling and scaling
Flexible scaling based on seasonal demands
Same quality level as college-educated domestic hires with 5–10 years experience
