How to Start an Errands Company

Combine trips to maximize profits!

If you've been thinking about starting your own small business, you may be well served to start an errands company. In today's hectic world, where eveybody seems to have to work all the time, many people are choosing to hire others to do simple tasks like pick up dry cleaning or do their grocery shopping. Senior citizens also may need extra help.

Instructions

Starting Off

1. Choose which errand services you will offer. Elderly people often need someone to run simple errands for them, particularly in inclement weather. Decide on which services you plan to offer for your errands company.

2. Set your prices. Think about how much money you need to make per hour for the business to be profitable and so you can make a comfortable living. You will have very little overhead with this business, but be sure to include costs for your mileage, such as gasoline, and wear and tear on your car.

   To set a price, figure out the average length of time it will take you to complete the errand. For example, if you know it takes 30 minutes to fill a short grocery list, then you should add 30 minutes to the amount of travel time it will take you to get to the store and back again. If the total time spent will be an hour and you want to make $15.00 per hour, you'll want to charge $15.00 plus a per mileage cost to cover car expenses. Another option is to charge a flat per hour rate for your time spent and invoice the client later.

3. Get the word out about your business. Once you've decided which services you will offer, create a professional looking flyer, a brochure and business cards. Ways to reach potential clients include giving the brochure to family and friends, hanging the flyer in the laundromat, grocery store and other community bulletin boards around town and even sending an e-mail out to everyone you know. Your biggest client base at first is likely to be senior citizens who are able to live on their own, but simply need a little extra help, so you may want to focus your efforts there at first.

4. Get organized! Keep careful track of appointments, income and expenses when you first start your business. It is very easy to grow too quickly. Be careful, because growing pains can crush a new business. You'll also want to pay estimated taxes quarterly to both the state and the federal government to avoid owing a huge chunk of money at the end of the year.

References

• "The Unofficial Guide to Starting a Small Business"; by Marcia Layton Turner; 2004