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Errand / concierge business

 
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conciergelady1

posts: 31

Dec 07, 2007 9:11 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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For anyone who is interested starting a concierge/errand business please go to yahoo.com and sign up for the errand group in communities. You will find everything you need including lots of freebies.  Also there is an errand group in i-village.com too. Good luck
 
conciergelady
sweetpea1

posts: 2

Dec 10, 2007 8:50 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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 1) What forms are required for this business, liability contracts and general insurance needs
 
2) What type of business ownership is best, i.e. sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.
sweetpea112/11/2007 8:50 AM


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Sweetpea1
superten

posts: 1

Jan 08, 2008 3:49 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I am thinking seriously about starting this type of business. Errand/Concierge. Please tell me how you got started. I work part time in a popular grocery store. Thought I might be able to test the waters there with some of the regualr customers. What do you think?? 
rocky1254

posts: 1

Mar 03, 2008 5:15 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hello Concierge lady: I want to start an errand service in the greater metropolitan detroit area. I feel overwhelmed because as I have been doing my research, I see that to protect
your self in this biz u need lots of insurance. I dont have that type of $$. Did you start off with getting a lot of insurance? It`s hard to know what to start off with
ObsidianLaunch

posts: 85

Mar 08, 2008 6:13 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I like the Chinese menu strategy.  Charge flat rates for a list of services. This way the customer knows what to expect in regards to cost.... AND you make more profit the more efficient you are.  Flat rates can be a major win-win, if executed properly.

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Mike Michalowicz
Author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur
conciergelady1

posts: 31

Mar 11, 2008 1:38 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hello Concierge lady: I want to start an errand service in the greater metropolitan detroit area. I feel overwhelmed because as I have been doing my research, I see that to protect
your self in this biz u need lots of insurance. I dont have that type of $$. Did you start off with getting a lot of insurance? It`s hard to know what to start off with

I can understand how you feel - I feel the same way a lot esp since I now added virtual services to the errands and concierge services.  The insurance that you need depends on what your services are. The basic policy is a GL policy`but if you offer pet sitting, transport, party planning they each have their own policies. Do you have a business plan yet or a marketing plan, a TM or a niche?  Insurance is essential and the good thing is it now is easier to get and there are more insurers offering it with more options.  I  am also set up as an LLC also since it offers more protection than a sole proprietorship. Please see my previous post about researching this more on Yahoo. Good luck!
conciergelady13/11/2008 2:45 AM
Aug 27, 2008 2:06 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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You can get your errand service business forms at http://www.businessformsstore.com/errand_service.  This site also offers free support, so if you need any help, send an email.

zlchamp

posts: 70

Sep 04, 2008 8:31 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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N23C (et-al)

Here is an approach has served me well for about 38 years.

Rather than trying to guess what the customer will pay and for which services....

Rather than randomly assuming you need to drop your prices....

ASK them what they want and what they will pay for it.

All kidding aside =0))

With that size market there is PLENTY of business for you.

The magic is in providing THAT specific  market with services that are valued by that market.

The best way I know to do that is to call them up and ask them.  It goes like this:

"Hi so and so, I`m N23C, and I am starting a concierge service.  My intention is to help business owners like you........bla bla bla (whatever you think).

My question for you today is NOT will you buy that service.  Instead what I would like to know is what you would pay for that service if you were to buy it."

Iif the answer is $0, then say, "I understand and appreciate you sharing that with me.  Tell me, can you think of any tasks (services) you would like to outsource to someone esle?  Would you be willing to share them with me?  How much would you be willing to pay to have me take care of that?"

Bingo, 20 calls like that and you will now exactly what the market wants and what they are willing to pay for it.

THEN you can decide whether or not you have a real deal.

Hope this helps.  Incedently I LOVE the idea of starting with a simple services business.  Every multi-millionaire success I know, including me, started that way.

Let me know if I can provide amy more help.

With 38 years of busienss building success behind me I am 100% committed to helping people like you find your perfect business success.

Steve

PS - Check out the audio stories I posted today: 

 

zlchamp9/4/2008 8:36 PM
MichaelStone

posts: 9

Sep 09, 2008 12:37 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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N23C;

Here is the reality that we just don`t want to admit.  Every one of us would like a concierge service.  It`s just up to you to convince us that it will "increase" our wealth if we hire you.  There is certainly a market for your services, and certainly many viable busness formulations for success.  Your job, as the CEO is to create the vision and values, hire people that share your vision and values, serve people that share your vision and values.
I am sorry if that seems simplistic.  The point is there is a market.  You just have to help us see the value.  Think back 15 years ago.  We all wanted cell phones, but how many of us had one.  We knew the value, we just didn`t hink it was justifiable.  Now try living without your cell phone for a week.  Concierge service is today, where cell phones were 15 years ago. 
 
GO FOR IT!!!!!
 
The Question is not whether or not there is a market for your services. The question is what does your company stand for, and who do you serve?
 
Once you decide on that, then you set your pricing based on the best intersts of the people you are meant to serve.  For some people, it is in their best intrest that you charge $50/hr, for others, it may be $10.  You know there are personal assistants making $100,000 per year per client in this world so you know it is possible,  The question is it possible for you  and the answer is always yes - if you want it to be. (and if it is in the best interests of the people you are meant to serve.)
 
I know what you`re thinking - How can I make money at $10/hr.  You could act as a broker for 50 1099 contractors being paid $8/hr .  Anything is possible.

That might mean that all you do is sell your services, while you hire a workforce (that shares your values, and your passion for service) to do the work.  Or perhaps you hire a sales professional to bring you clients. 

Nobody can tell you what your vision is but you.  The point is, with the right passion, the right Values, and the right customers you will be successful.

 Michael Stone
www.Michael.Stone.com
ConciergeBiz

posts: 1

May 02, 2012 3:57 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Learn how to start and operate your own concierge/errand service today!!  Low startup & overhead...quick, easy income!!$$$

www.concierge101.com

Concierge101.com



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