Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Has anyone here started an errand service? Reason why I am asking, I am
currently interested in starting one early next year (January to be exact). If
anyone did, how did you get started? I want to create a wedding concierge/
errand service for brides/grooms who do not have money for a planner, but
still need someone to get items they need for their wedding. Any advice
folks?

BTW, I love this website and subscribe to the podcast. This site rocks!

Do a search on "concierge" and another one on "errands" in the forum searches. We`ve had a number of people starting up this type of business. ;-)

For example, here`s a set of results with "concierge" searching only the subject line (not the message and subject).

Thank you Craig.

I will check out fourms. If anyone else has info, pass it on! :)

Your idea sounds great! Have you looked for other businesses in your area that are offering the same services?  I am trying to start an errand running/ concierge service as well and found that researching the competition is the best place to start.  Try to offer something that they dont.  Find your niche, with weddings you can do SO much.  I have friends and family getting married right now that would pay for this service, wedding planners are overpriced and sometimes too opinionated, you can offer the same services except the bride/groom can choose what they want you to help with and what they would rather do on their own.  I can help you come up with ideas if you want....

email me: aroseservices@gmail.com

Very interesting niche that you trying for. So I am guessing you will be very local. If that is the case then I would go for a nice website, but then you could focus on going after the wedding forums and try to listing in the local papers.

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china business card / Wall Street Journal Reader

From what I can tell, no one in my area seems to offer this service...but I
have one problem. My car just died on me. So running around would be
a bit of a problem. Which is why I said I wanted to start this during the
beginning of next year.

I have missed most of the bridal expos for this year, but I also know that
many start in January. I have even checked websites for "Wedding
Concierge, or Wedding Errand Service". Most errand services add
"wedding events" as a list of their services. I just want to run errands for
weddings only.

I completed a wedding planning course in June and quickly realized that I
did not want to become a planner. I believe shows like "Bridezilla" made
me realize that I did not want to deal with a person who was more into
what the wedding looks like (as well as being "a bitchy diva" than being
happy that they are spending their lives with the love of their life.

BUT -- At the same time, from watching that show, I realized that much
of the drama concernd the bride running around getting wedding items.   
The wheels started clicking. if a person did not want a planner, but
ordered everything herself, if she had someone to pick the items up, that
would make her life easier.

Right now, I am reading this book on how to run your own errand service.   
I am also moonlighting like crazy to get money for a new car (used). I
intend to get this up and running as soon as possible.

MoniMoni,
Just think: right now, with all the problems you`re facing, you`re at least starting your business! You`re facing problems while the rest of society is still running fairly well. That means there are people who can afford to let go of a decent used car, there are jobs for you to moonlight with, and prices are generally stable.

I don`t believe this will continue forever. There`ll come a time, relatively soon, I think, that the steady jobs, comfortable economy, and status quo will begin to change dramatically. At that time, countless people are suddenly going to jump up and try to start a business. They`ll be desperate, looking for anything, and dealing with a whole society doing the same.

By then, you`ll have gone through the worst of it---the startup phase. You`ll have handled the problems, developed your business, found your niche, built your client list (people always are going to be getting married and having celebrations), and you`ll be organized.

So keep an eye on the bright side. As they say, whatever doesn`t kill you, makes you stronger.
 

errand service...

 I just thought I would add my experience in this.  Years ago, I also `briefly` started a errand service.  Got my logo, joined the chamber, made flyer`s, etc, etc. I lived near a senior community that was really my target market.  Not only did I think I could help them, but I knew I`d `love` to help them.  The problem was really making a business out of this. First, because I knew I was targeting a market that needed my service, but,.. I also knew that they couldn`t really afford  to spend much on the service. I think I finally realized that is was more a service that I would love to do, but not a service that I could really make money at, so I ended it. Saying that, I do believe it`s a great service. But I do believe you need to do this service in an area that has money to pay for such a luxury.

 The bridal industry may be good, for the ones that can afford it, because doing all those things that they need done, could really be helpful.

 But, I have to say, after having a Daughter that was just recently married, a Bridal coordinator, is big business, and someone that knows what they`re doing has a very good business to offer to these brides!  We couldn`t` have done without the one we had!  

Could we draw an analogy between a bridal errand service and a wedding planner (or bridal coordinator), and perhaps a home stager and a real estate broker?

What the heck do you mean Craig?

 But I also wanted to add, that after I ended my  Errand Service Business, the calls started to come in.  So,.....I never knew what it could have been.