So I've always believed (& put into practice) most people want to communicate one on one, not only for discresion but also to  
Prevent any miscommunication.
Yet of course people can't read minds & it never fails when my life gets hectic  -as it usually does considering the family commitments/obligations that seem to always come up, that's when I get the most communication from people.
I've tried & I can't always respond in a timely matter. As a matter of fact lately I've failed miserably.
          My question is this: guys -would you rather wait to hear back from the gal herself to ensure the personal communication?
Or is it more important that you get responded to very quickly even if it is by an assistant of some sort?  
 Gals how do you do it & why? ......if you would like to share, also do you reply to the new people that just say  
"hi what's up"?

I would prefer to deal directly with the provider and wait a little but not everyone's life is the same so taking that into account if I have to deal with an assistant I'll do it.  I like the personal touch and as you said a bad assistant can really screw things up.  That being said I think every inquiry should be responded to in 24 hours if not the same day if one reach out in the morning.  I respond to all inquiries to my company within 24 hours and so should a successful provider who is running her business.  Good customer service starts with the initial response.  Granted what happens during the session is the most important portion of our involvement together but doing everything professionally and in a timely fashion counts for something as well.  I plan my sessions well in advance so I don't need a response in a couple hours but I get the sense that many are more spur of the moment than I and may need that.  When I reach out to a provider my intention is to make an appointment and provide funds to her business so I expect to be treated in a manner that shows some appreciation.  Unfortunately the "hi what's up" and the serial last minute cancelers of the world are getting in my way by filling their inboxes with crap.

Everyone likes a quick response either by the girl herself or an assistant even though most prefer the girl because it seems more personal, and some think there talking to the girl when its the assistant. I actually like to send a follow up email to say i enjoyed the time and does the girl with the assistant read it or gets it forward to her. Also think the girls should be more proactive if the client was good and say come back soon or whatever in an email if not in person. We appreciate that more than you know

By "timely" I mean within 24 hours, give or take a couple. (assuming that I am scheduling at least few days out) If the reply is from an assistant, that's just the way it goes. (The auto-reply doesn't count as a response IMO)
I don't send very many "hi, what's up?" emails, but if I do and I don't receive a reply, I don't take it personally. Mainly because I didn't get into this hobby because I wanted a pen-pal. And obviously you ladies are not getting paid to be  pen-pals

I started on my own but I was overwhelmed with all the extra stuff associated with this, not to mention I was still trying to figure out how to screen.  

I would have to say I would prefer to hear from the gal herself in 24hrs or so (always love it when it is a lot less).  If I didn't hear from her in 48hrs and she wasn't someone I had seen before, I would probably move on (although I would probably wait longer if it was someone I was really wanting to meet as I don't normally schedule anything even remotely short notice).  

Some people have the admin gene, and some don't, and fluctuating volume compounds the issue.  I regret that we don't know each other yet Mindy, but we have exchanged emails, and you have a wonderful presence in your correspondence.  So my suggestion is, because you care, use an assistant -- and this must be the key -- who has a really good system for sorting out the urgent/important and flagging those emails to you.  Then maybe you add a comment or two that has nothing to do with admin, and everything to do with "I'm really looking forward to this.  I can't wait for 'Betty' to set it up."

My preference is for direct contact with the lady.  I was pretty firmly against dealing with assistants until one of our local ladies sent me a PM explaining why she started to use one.  That shed a whole different light on the subject for me.  Now I'm not so against it, but still prefer to communicate directly with the lady.  It helps me get a feel for who she is if I haven't met her yet.

If I could use one to schedule meetings for me I would.   Phone tag or waiting for response on P411 is not fun.  If I need to move on,  I want to know right away.    

e-mail is impersonable enough as it is, let alone talking to a representative of some one you want to message. Pretty soon it will be 'I'll have my people get a hold of your people', or  we will deal with a large bank of people at an answering service, or.....'If you wish just to say Hi, press one. If you wish to know my availability, press two. If you wish to know my rates, press three. If you wish to schedule an appointment press four, and you will be forwarded to a scheduler. If you want to hear from me, good luck!!

If using one is the best way for use to keep up with the volume of emails you get then do what you think is best so long as we know you are using one.

I totally get to now..  
When you have the right Personal Assistant especially one that has a background in marketing and business development..
When you find the one that connects with you and knows how to work with your clients ..
Someone who you can collaberate with as a partner in your business and can formulate a Marketing Strategy with..
Keeps Your business going so you can focus on what really matters AKA the time you spend with your clients  
Great AWESOMAZING FANTASTICAL AMAZABALLS Things can happen ..

Assistants basically guarantee you a visit but they also tend to overbook and double book the girl. Also if you become a regular to the girl and want to start sending her more flirtatious emails the assistant will intercept them and the girl may never see them. The really good girls will give you another email for you to contact them.
  Now not having assistants has its pluses as you actually get to talk the girl and the emails can be fun and flirtatious.
  As for the bad as OP states they may not always get back to you and it does become frustrating if you really want to see them as I know first hand. I guess you just have to be patient and wait your turn but emailing the actual your just taking a chance and hoping for the best.

I know a few providers that don't even read the emails, they just trust there assistants for almost 100% of the work. I have received quite a few "awesome time" replies after dates from the actual girl and loved them

Thanks, yeah some do none and some do both, you can tell when its a more personal response and more of a business one but would be better if they identified it, although the assistants can be fun and friendly too
I did once get a random email from someone i'd seen saying she'd love to see me the next day if i was free (she knew that was my best day}. Glad you got those yourself, it does make you feel good

I feel the same way about mine.  The thing about personal emails is that I spent ALL my free time on my computer.  Also, that meant that I couldn't schedule anyone if I had a client.  I quickly developed a reputation that you had to book way ahead for me.  However, I'd have free slots all the time if I wasn't on my damn computer.  NOW, people can often get to see me same day.  I could be busy, and you will get a personal email from Em.  It gives information, requests references, and includes my schedule.  Also, Em knows my brain, so we just click.  It's fluid.

Em is a flirt and a hoot to deal with!!!))

The reasons why I have an assistant, and I, like you, had the good fortune to find one right out of the chute with whom I "click".  

Your both pretty good at what you do

Ive had different assistants before and none of my clients ever commented on them the way they do on Cat aka Hanna..  
I think its telling when she is actually mentioned in the reviews and they make a point of complimenting her at our rendezvous.
I have a very busy life outside this , juggling this work, with my civvie work and personal life doesnt allow for me to do the administrative stuff and I want to focus on the actual physical time I spend with client, and having Hanna allows me to breathe and focus on whats important. My business is much better now and has doubled in the time she's been my assistant. She has gone above and beyond the call of duty for me and I plan on keeping her around for awhile