Your 10 Biggest Questions Answered (Plain & Simple)
You help busy people, seniors, or new parents by handling their shopping, returns, post office runs, and other errands.
1. Do I need a certificate?
No. You need reliability, good communication, and local knowledge. Can you follow instructions carefully and get exactly what clients need? That’s your skill.
What to do instead:
- Learn your local area thoroughly (stores, hours, best times)
- Practice careful shopping for others
- Develop systems for tracking multiple errands
2. What’s the minimum I need to spend?
$0-100.
- Transportation: Car, bike, or good public transit knowledge
- Phone for communication/photo updates
- Cooler/bags for grocery transport
- Business cards/flyers: $20-50
Optional: Business insurance if using car extensively ($100-200/month).
3. How do I describe what I do?
DON’T say: “I run errands.” (Sounds like a favor)
DO say: “I provide personal errand services that give busy people, seniors, and new parents back their precious time.”
Services:
- “Grocery shopping and delivery”
- “Post office and shipping errands”
- “Dry cleaning and prescription pickup”
- “Returns and exchange handling”
4. Where do I find my VERY first client?
Start with obvious needs:
- New parents in local parenting groups
- Seniors in retirement communities
- Busy professionals working long hours
- People recovering from surgery/illness
Message: “Too busy for errands? I handle grocery shopping, returns, post office runs, and more. First errand free for new clients.”
5. How much do I charge?
First Clients: $15-$25 per hour or per errand.
Example pricing:
- Hourly rate: $20-25/hour + cost of items
- Per errand: $15-20 flat + cost of items
- Weekly grocery service: $30-50/week + groceries
- Monthly retainer: $100-200 for set number of hours
Payment: For shopping, cost of items + fee upfront or upon delivery.
6. What does errand running work look like? Step-by-step
Project: “Weekly Grocery Shopping for Senior Client”
Weekly process (2-3 hours):
- List collection (day before): Client emails/texts list, preferences, substitutions
- Store planning: Plan route, check sales, coupons
- Shopping (1-2 hours):
- Send photo of options if exact item unavailable
- Check expiration dates
- Handle delicate items carefully
- Delivery: Deliver at agreed time, unpack if requested
- Settlement: Provide receipt, collect payment (cash, Venmo, etc.)
- Next week planning: Confirm next shopping day/time
Additional services could include:
- Post office (packing, shipping, tracking)
- Pharmacy pickup
- Dry cleaning
- Returns (keep receipts organized)
- Gift shopping/wrapping
7. How do I handle payment safely?
For shopping: Cost of items + fee before delivery or immediately after.
For other errands: Payment upon completion or weekly billing.
Use Venmo, PayPal, cash, or check.
Receipts: Always provide, keep copies for your records.
Petty cash: For small expenses, keep log and receipts.
8. What’s the #1 beginner mistake?
Not communicating about substitutions/out-of-stock items and making decisions for the client.
Golden rule: Always ask before substituting. Photo + text = simple solution.
9. How do I know if I’m good enough?
You’re good enough if:
- You’re reliable and punctual
- You follow instructions carefully
- You communicate clearly and promptly
- You’re honest about receipts and change
Test: Do errands for an elderly neighbor for free one week. Do they get exactly what they wanted? Was it easier for them? Would they pay for ongoing service? If yes, you’re ready.
10. What’s the next step?
Specialize (senior concierge, new parent support, corporate errand services) or partner with local businesses.
After individual errands, offer: gift shopping services, party preparation assistance, moving errands coordination, vacation preparation services.
Your Action Plan:
- Today: Map your local area with stores, hours, best parking
- Tomorrow: Create intake form for client preferences/allergies
- This week: Post flyers in senior centers, parenting centers, office buildings