Becoming a Personal Shopper [Ideas to Help You Get Started!]

Become a Personal Shopper as Your Career

Ever thought about being a personal shopper? I have. In the past, when I was younger, I thought this sounding amazing. Now I feel so frazzled for time – I NEED a personal shopper! Hence, why I’ve chosen StichFix to pick my clothes for me.

Being a personal shopper is undoubtedly fun and easy for those that can shop until they drop. The only requirement really is a vehicle. But with Uber and Lyft now — I suppose you don’t “have” to have a car.

Personal Shopper for the Elderly

It is easy to see 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. You would simply 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).

Personal Shopper for Busy Moms/Parents

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 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. But, as I said — think about those working for StitchFix as stylists! Look at their job description:

The Stitch Fix Stylist role is a part time, flexible, work from home position. Our Stylists curate Fixes for each client they style, selecting five items unique to that client, leveraging our proprietary styling platform. Our Stylists help our clients look, feel and be their best selves by offering them on trend styling advice and amazing style solutions.

Though I could never do something like this — I am a customer and LOVE what they do. If you’re interested in doing the same – sign up for StitchFix and try it.

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 $15.00-$20.00 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 any way you do it I am sure it will be a huge success!

But don’t limit yourself to just the elderly if you feel you want to branch out or want to go more into the fashion end. It’s YOUR business – so you can do whatever you like. And if you’re just not sure – you might try doing little errands and tasks first through a company like Task Rabbit. There are other errand companies too you can check out here.