Homemaker-for-Hire. Someone to clean, cook, do laundry, wash windows, etc. I can be hired to cook a private dinner to impress a few friends or to wash your windows. I will do your laundry and fold it while cleaning the bathrooms. I am only available to a few customers a few hours a day or for a brief period on the weekends. Do you think that anyone would want to pay for "wifely" duties?
2006-07-14 09:37:22 · 7 answers · asked by Goose&Tonic 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Yes....I do think people would be interested. However, I think you need to change your focus from "wifely duties" to general household care. I could see your target client base being people who need help around the house, above and beyond what a maid would do (i.e. cooking, putting away laundry, run errands, etc.) For example, upper/middle class working people that can afford to pay someone to do their chores/cooking/errands, or stay at home moms that need a bit of extra help around the house to get the chores/cooking done.
I would start with word of mouth advertising and see how it goes from there (safer, too). If you have a church, you can put up flyers there. Get in touch with a local moms group (ask around for one) and see if they can advertise your service (via email is free and easy). If you get a lot of people interested, then you can build your client base by referrals, which may give you enough part-time work to fill your schedule.
The most important factor, I believe, will be the price you charge. Do a lot of research to find out what the going rate is for people performing the same types of services you are offering. Maybe look in the phone book and get quotes from maid/cooking/etc. services to determine a good ballpark range. If you can price your services appropriately, you have a great chance of getting customers. Ask your friends/family what they would pay per hour to have someone help out. The cheaper you are, the more likely you are to get hired.
Obviously, be careful about whose houses you go into. No amount of money is worth putting yourself in a dangerous situation. Also, you may want to check into licenses/insurance required for working in other peoples homes (what if you drop someone's $500 Waterford pitcher or scratch their new $2,000 refrigerator or fall down their stairs?) Just some things to think about....
Hope this helps and good luck with your business
2006-07-14 10:26:53 · answer #1 · answered by nvone 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
These kinds of small service firms can be very lucrative, but you need to manage it carefully and be very selective about the clientele you choose. Avoid marketing it as 'wifely duties", because you'll get endless pranksters...instead, market it as a complete home management service. I've helped some of these kinds of firms with direct-mail advertising (which seems to be the most effective way to advertise). Total professionalism is the key to your success....if people think of you as an 'airhead' or 'clown' they won't take you seriously. I'd invest in uniforms, top-quality business cards and business stationery, a first-class website, and the development of some kind of referral program wherein current clients earn 'points' or 'credits' for sending new client your way. Testimonials are a MUST for your Yellow Page advertising. Have a prepared price list and elegant brochure which you can leave with prospects, and also leave behind with a checklist after you've completed an assignment. Important: WRITE a business plan AND a marketing plan. So many small businesses don't do this, and then find themselves 'rudderless' with no 'map' or 'direction' as the business begins to develop or as the business stagnates. Your business proforma can be simple, but it must be a LIVING, BREATHING DOCUMENT that you keep out (don't tuck it away in a file cabinet) and refer to constantly. I'd be happy to send a sample. -RKO-
rkoassociates@yahoo.com
2006-07-14 18:32:38 · answer #2 · answered by -RKO- 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure, it's called a Maid Service.
"Do you think that anyone would want to pay for "wifely" duties?"
Hmmm... well that could get illegal, depending on exactly which duties you're talking about.
2006-07-14 16:40:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its called "Merry Maids" and a few other names by different companies already in existance...
2006-07-14 16:40:54 · answer #4 · answered by erni_evilsizer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most guys have their own (wife).....could work though. You may want to be a bit more accessible though.
Good luck
2006-07-14 16:48:40 · answer #5 · answered by 3eleven 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, and if you do those chores in a French maid outfit, you can charge about $100.00/hour.
2006-07-14 16:42:48 · answer #6 · answered by g-man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would sell
2006-07-15 06:51:45 · answer #7 · answered by Aaron J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋