Start Your Own Personal Concierge Business
The word concierge denotes two meanings, says Dictionary.com. One, from hotel terminology, is a
staff member who assists guests or residents, as by handling the storage of luggage, taking and
delivering messages, and making reservations for tours. The other, derived from French culture,
is a person who lives in an apartment house, attends the entrance, and serves as a janitor.
While there is no formal definition of the word yet in the dictionaries for personal concierge,
on the contrary, this profession is a booming business. The boom is brought about by a
fast-paced lifestyle which leaves hardly any room for busy professionals nowadays to sort out
their bills, schedule their activities (both personal and business), or book their vacations.
A personal concierge is being recognized as a legitimate profession. Laura Tiffany, in an
article entitled "How to be a Personal Concierge", which appears at Entrepreneur.com, discloses
that the number of personal concierges is growing fast. She adds: “Although it's no secret that
the personal concierge field is booming, hard numbers are difficult to come by. The National
Concierge Association, a Chicago-based group that was founded in the late 1990s as a networking
and resource organization for both personal and hotel concierges, doesn't yet track numbers or
statistics pertaining to the industry. Cynthia A., a former hotel concierge who runs her own
personal concierge business in San Diego, estimates there are a few hundred personal concierges
throughout the United States.”
How to get started as a personal concierge? Consider this as an example of a job description:
"Getting seats to a sporting event, reserving a table at a top restaurant, or sending a
birthday present. Able and willing to go above and beyond the everyday. Always ready to go the
extra mile with your employer."
While personal concierges are in demand in the U.S., Britain is starting to catch up. If you
live in any of these two countries, you can start approaching companies offering such
opportunities. Ask these employers if they are hiring or willing to train you as a personal
concierge.
Of course, not everyone is fitted for the job of a personal concierge. Individuals who like to
organize, who enjoy assisting others, and who don’t get bored researching detailed information
are encouraged to try out for this job. Skill and experience with events management is likewise
imperative to the job of a personal concierge. If you possess all these traits but you are in a
different profession at this time, it’s the best time of the year to take the plunge. You’ll
probably thank yourself over and over for taking the chance!
People who have worked as an administrative assistant or even an executive assistant are
predisposed to the job of a personal concierge. If you’re coming from this profession, you
might initially find running your own business for the first time rather jolting. But remember,
if you’ve been able to proofread or otherwise improve your boss’ marketing plan or business
proposal, what’s keeping you from striking out on your own?
|
