Concierge Services Information

Busy professionals use a concierge to organize their professional and personal life.

We live in an increasingly busy society. Many people can’t find enough hours in the day to complete necessary tasks. Some of these people turn to a concierge to help them accomplish certain duties. People from all walks of life offer services as a concierge. Perhaps you have talents you can put to work as a concierge.

Function

As a concierge, you provide an extra set of hands and free up your client’s time by being ready to quickly meet any request that she may have. She may call on you to complete tasks that involve her personal or professional life. This may include several different projects or a complete aspect of her life. By taking care of your clients needs, you allow her the freedom to give priority to activities she enjoys or matters that need her personal attention. You will help your client be more organized and productive.

Services

You can use a flare for the creative to act as a client’s party planner by reserving a venue, arranging caterers and bartenders, renting of equipment and decorations and sending out the invitations. Some clients may request that you reserve car rentals, make travel accommodations, secure appointments, plan meetings or assist them with personal tasks, such as spa appointments, dinner reservations, theatre tickets, banking services, babysitters or personal security. Most concierges offer any kind of service as long as it is legal and ethical.

Skills

If you are organized, detail-oriented and enjoy serving others, you may enjoy working as a concierge. You can use almost any kind of professional experience to transition into the career. Training or experience in hospitality services may make you an excellent party and meeting planner. Previous work in domestic services qualify you as an expert in personal services or home maintenance. You can use a background in accounting to assist a client seeking a concierge to manage his finances.

Clients

To work as a concierge, you can purse employment with a hotel or corporation or you can start your own business offering concierge services. Possible clients vary vastly. According to Entrepreneur, “everyone from the million dollar corporate chairman to the single mom with two jobs and three children under age 10” use concierges. A corporation may hire you as a concierge to offer the service to employees to help them balance their commitments. A family who plans to travel to an unknown area might hire a personal concierge to guide them to areas of interest.

Considerations

If you’d like to start a personal concierge service business, decide what niche you will fill. Perhaps you will focus on just one types of client or a particular group of services. In 2010, expect to spend $2,000 to $4,000 setting up shop; a bit more if you don’t already have a computer. You’ll need computer software to help you manage you contacts and accounting information, a fax machine, voicemail, and a smartphone or PDA. To get your name out, invest in marketing materials such as a website, business cards and brochures. A client pays fees ranging from $25 to $125 hourly. You can expect to make from $40,000 to $60,000 per year.

References

• Concierge 101: Key to Starting & Operating a Successful Concierge Service
• Fab Job: Starting a Personal Concierge Service Business
• Entrepreneur: Target Market
• Entrepreneur: Startup Costs
• Entreprenuer: Income and Pricing