Becoming a Personal Shopper

Become a Personal Shopper for a Career

Personal Shopper

Ever thought about being a personal shopper? I have. I love shopping!
This one is fun and easy, the only requirement is a vehicle. It is no illusion that the elderly need help. Especially when they are no longer able to drive. Most, still live on their own and are actually pretty active. What this service would entail is doing personal shopping for the elderly or disabled. If you needed some items from the grocery store or from Wal-Mart but were unable to drive or had no vehicle you would need some help. Simply you would take a list from this person, either pick it up personally or write it down over the phone and go shopping. Shop, drop off and get paid. You could even take the person along with you and help them shop if you like (or if they prefer).
Also….this is something I just talked to several women about at the last PTO meeting I went to. Many women do not have time to shop for birthday party gifts, wedding gifts, housewarming presents and other types of gifts.

Many barely have enough time to do their weekly grocery shopping! We’re near the end of 2011 and heading into 2012….and this is a VERY current issue. Maybe you could create a business to help women like these out and run errands and be a personal shopper for them?

If you’re savvy with a budget and have great taste….you could have of just found your niche. Shopping for presents wouldn’t be difficult at all–even if you have an infant – you could head over to the mall with the stroller and pick out a gift or two? Or what about doing a few client’s grocery shopping each week? Trade play dates with another mom and on your free days – you could earn some cash-simply grocery shopping for someone else! Being a personal shopper doesn’t mean JUST shopping for clothes.

Getting Started as a Personal Shopper:

If you have a computer, make cute flyers or mailers and distribute them either by hand or mail to “senior homes”. These could include senior apartments or senior communities. You can even post them in nursing homes. Advertise that you will help them get their personal needs met( grocery shopping, personal items, prescriptions). If you have a washer and dryer at home you can even charge to do laundry if you want. Many elderly LOVE to shop but are restricted due to a vehicle. You can even take your kids along (the elderly love kids). I would charge according to the time and gas it will take. You can charge by the hour or by the effort. I think I would charge by the hour, let’s say $10.00 per hour which includes gas. You can charge more or less it’s up to you! I think this would be a great business with a healthy profit. If you do decide to take along the person, consider the liabilities (in case of an accident) you might even want to print up a legal document releasing you of any “liabilities”. If you like to shop then this is the job for you. Starting up costs to be a personal shopper would depend on how you want to advertise (classified ads, newspapers, flyers). You could even offer a “freebie” to sweeten the deal. But anyway you do it I am sure it will be a huge success!

 

Tagged as: Becoming a Personal Shopper, personal grocery shopper advertising flyers