| Starting a senior errand business service is a great | | | | it's a good idea to get some business cards or |
| way to make a nice profit (errand runners make on | | | | magnetic signs for your car or customers' |
| average $25 an hour), while helping ease the stress on | | | | refrigerators. This will create awareness of your |
| seniors' lives. It's the perfect way to be your own boss | | | | business and will remind people to call you if they need |
| and work as much or as little as you'd like. There are | | | | an errand to be run. It's also a good idea to have a |
| some things you should know before you start your | | | | day planner or other organized way to keep track of |
| business that'll help you get off to a smooth start. In | | | | your schedule and all of your customers. It can be a |
| particular, here are three that are important to know: | | | | printed calendar or something on your computer or cell |
| 1. Insurance | | | | phone. A well organized errand runner is a successful |
| You will need insurance to be an errand runner. First, | | | | one. |
| you must have auto insurance. Some states require | | | | 3. Legal Structure |
| commercial auto insurance if you use your car for | | | | There are a few things you'll need to do to setup your |
| errand running or other commercial purposes. Some | | | | business legally. First of all, decide on the legal structure |
| do not. Also, if you drive a customer's car or use your | | | | of your business. Is it a sole proprietorship, partnership, |
| car to transport your customers' pets or the | | | | or limited liability corporation? This will determine what |
| customers themselves, you should look into insurance | | | | type of taxes you'll pay, and how you file your taxes. |
| for this. And finally, if you plan to pet or house sit, there | | | | For more on that, go to Also, you'll need to obtain a |
| is another kind of insurance to look into as well. This | | | | federal tax identification number or EIN. You'll also need |
| type of coverage is often called "care, custody, and | | | | to get a business license from your town, county or |
| control" (CCC) coverage. The best thing to do is | | | | state. |
| check with your insurance agent. Insurance shouldn't | | | | In order to get your errand business running smoothly, |
| be too expensive, and the profits you can make as an | | | | these are the essentials you need to do beforehand. |
| errand runner should cover any expenses in no time. | | | | You need to look into insurance and decide what your |
| 2. Supplies you'll need | | | | legal structure will be. You'll also need to gather |
| There aren't a lot of supplies you'll need to be a | | | | supplies. It shouldn't cost you too much and the money |
| successful errand runner. Still, there are a few you | | | | you'll be making will offset any expenses. Before you |
| should consider. First of all, it's a must you have a | | | | know it, you could be on your way to becoming a |
| reliable car to drive you to and from your jobs and a | | | | successful errand runner. |
| cell phone to stay in touch with your customers. Next, | | | | |