Are you able to choose tasteful
gifts? Many of today's busy executives and celebrities aren't. On
top of that, they are either too busy or too tired to shop for all
the important gifts they need to purchase. That's where you come in.
As a personal shopper, you will do the shopping for them and deliver
it wrapped and ready to present to the recipient, you may even be
asked to deliver it yourself.
Other potential clients include busy mothers and senior citizens.
While not as lucrative, the income could be steadier as you develop
long-term relationships with people who aren't able to get out of
the house and won't be quick to replace you.
Required personal traits include interpersonal skills,
persistence, and the ability to shop according to a predetermined
budget. Required equipment is a vehicle, a cell phone, a digital
camera, business cards and brochures explaining your services.
Your rates will depend on the type shopping you are doing. Some
shoppers charge a percentage of the items purchased. So if you found
the $600 vase requested by the CEO of company X, and you charge 20%
commission, you would bring home $120 for the transaction. The
problem with this pricing structure is that if you spent the same
$600 while locating 12 different items, you worked much harder for
your money. In addition, a 93-year old woman may not have the money
to pay $20 to receive $100 worth of groceries. You may have to vary
your structure according to the clientele you are serving and the
details of each individual transaction.
You can run this business with clients in your own community,
market it on the Internet,
and visit senior citizen housing to let them know about your
services. In addition, advertise your local newspaper, church
bulletins, and distribute materials to related area organizations.
