Starting a senior errand service is a great way to make a nice profit while helping ease the stress on seniors’ lives. It’s the perfect way to be your own boss and work as much or as little as you’d like. There are some things you should know before you start your business that’ll help you get off to a smooth start. In particular, here are three that are important to know:
1. Insurance
You will need insurance to be an errand runner. First, you must have auto insurance. Some states require commercial auto insurance if you use your car for errand running or other commercial purposes. Some do not. Also, if you drive a customer’s car or use your car to transport your customers’ pets or the customers themselves, you should look into insurance for this. And finally, if you plan to pet or house sit, there is another kind of insurance to look into as well. This type of coverage is often called “care, custody, and control” (CCC) coverage. The best thing to do is check with your insurance agent. Insurance shouldn’t be too expensive, and the profits you can make as an errand runner should cover any expenses in no time.
2. Supplies you’ll need
There aren’t a lot of supplies you’ll need to be a successful errand runner. Still, there are a few you should consider. First of all, it’s a must you have a reliable car to drive you to and from your jobs and a cell phone to stay in touch with your customers. Next, it’s a good idea to get some business cards to pass out and magnetic signs for your car. This will create awareness of your business and will remind people to call you if they need an errand to be run. It’s also a good idea to have a day planner or other organized way to keep track of your schedule and all of your customers. It can be a printed calendar or something on your computer or cell phone. A well organized errand runner is a successful one.
3. Legal Structure
There are a few things you’ll need to do to setup your business legally. First of all, decide on the legal structure of your business. Is it a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability corporation? This will determine what type of taxes you’ll pay, and how you file your taxes. For more on that, go to Nolo.com. Also, you’ll need to obtain a federal tax identification number or EIN. You’ll also need to get a business license from your town, county or state.
In order to get your errand service business running smoothly, these are the essentials you need to do beforehand. You need to look into insurance and decide what your legal structure will be. You’ll also need to gather supplies. It shouldn’t cost you too much and the money you’ll be making will offset any expenses. Before you know it, you could be on your way to starting your errand business.
To learn more, read Start Your Own Senior Concierge Service.