| Starting a concierge service is a great way to | | | | Targeting airports and hotels where large numbers of |
| become your own boss and take command of your | | | | strangers enter your town every day are great places |
| financial future. A growing number of people believe | | | | to concentrate marketing efforts as they are filled with |
| that self-employment is part of the American Dream | | | | people in need of services in your area. A company |
| and offers the best job security a person can hope | | | | website is another great idea as your target market |
| for in these uncertain times. Therefore, while not for | | | | will most likely consist of white collar people who are |
| everyone, a concierge service can be a fun and | | | | Internet savvy. Be sure to have your content list your |
| profitable way to make a living as the rest of us slave | | | | location consistently so that you come up in searches |
| away in offices doing the weekly grind. Here is some | | | | performed on your area. |
| useful information for anyone thinking about starting a | | | | Financing sources: |
| concierge service and living the American Dream. | | | | Banks tend to view a concierge service as a high risk |
| Estimated start-up costs and pricing guidelines: | | | | business due to its unpredictable nature. There just are |
| Actually, most of us already have almost everything | | | | no reliable business models to use and they depend |
| we need to start a concierge service. On the list of | | | | upon the charisma and determination of the owner in |
| essential equipment is: cell phone, computer (preferably | | | | order to succeed. Thus, financing options are limited to |
| a laptop), fax machine, printer, and perhaps a color | | | | friends and family. But, fortunately the start-up and |
| copier. All told, you might be out $2000 if you had to | | | | operational costs are relatively low so financing should |
| buy everything from scratch. | | | | not be too great of an obstacle for most. |
| The amount you charge really depends on your time | | | | Income Potential: |
| investment and the services you are providing. A lot of | | | | Starting a concierge service may be a fairly large risk |
| concierge services charge a monthly membership fee | | | | in the eyes of a bank, but it has above average |
| where a person is allotted a specified number of | | | | income potential for those with the determination to |
| errands. Others charge by the hour while some by the | | | | make it work. On average, a personal concierge |
| errand. Generally speaking, starting a concierge service | | | | makes $40,000 to $60,000 per year. But, many |
| will net you any where from $24-125 per hour. | | | | concierges make extra money from stores and |
| Recommended experience, skills, and training: | | | | contractors who pay them a commission for sending |
| Starting a concierge service certainly does not require | | | | business their way. It is not uncommon for a personal |
| any college degree but it wouldn't hurt. A background | | | | concierge to charge annual membership fees of |
| in sales is probably best for anyone serious about | | | | $1000-1500 to an individual and average $5,000 in |
| succeeding with a concierge service. Since your entire | | | | annual dues from corporate clients. |
| professional life revolves around making good | | | | Starting a Concierge Service may just be the escape |
| contacts and selling yourself and your services on a | | | | from the rat race that you have been looking for. With |
| daily basis, a sales background comes in very handy. | | | | low start-up costs and above average income |
| Any training involving general business and sales or | | | | potential, the prospect of getting paid good money to |
| marketing is also valuable. | | | | run errands never looked so good. If you are ready to |
| Marketing tips: | | | | start living your American Dream, then think about |
| Any successful concierge service will have to | | | | Starting a Concierge Service today and begin living |
| effectively network and find the best deals on the | | | | that dream! |
| products or services their clients are wanting. | | | | |