How to Start an Errand Business

As with any business proposal, you have to start with research. The want ads in the newspaper highlight businesses that are looking for advertising help. In the grocery stores back home, there were bulletin boards hanging up as you entered the store that were filled with advertisements for services.

Your child must decide what type of errand business they want to specialize in. Their choices should be based on the research and what services are needed in the area in which you live. Delivering newspapers may be an option. If they already have a bike and the commitment, then they are ready to get started. The start up cost here is nil.

Delivering flyers for local area businesses is a perfect specialty. Advertising can be expensive. Your child would be offering businesses a break. They could lower their advertising costs by hiring them to deliver flyers in mailboxes and on cars in parking lots. You can help by driving your child around so they can hand out their flyers. A way to maximize the profits would be to find several businesses in need of this service. Create a flyer bag so that they can deliver the various advertisements all at once. Imprinting your business logo in the outside of the bag will let people know who delivered the flyers if they ever need that type of service. Vistaprint is a great resource and they even offer 250 free business cards (you pay shipping). Get 250 premium quality, color business cards FREE! Click here.

Starting an errand business is a go-getter type of enterprise. Any child or teen that is very outgoing and creative will do well. You may need to use your contacts in the community to help get them started.

Other ideas for errand services include grocery delivery for homebound individuals. If there are elderly residents in your neighborhood or nearby neighborhoods, they may be willing to pay an enterprising young boy or girl to grocery shop for them. This would be a business angle for teens that could drive. They would collect the shopping lists and money and deliver the products. This service could also be extended to pregnant moms and those who may be off their feet due to an injury.

Running errands requires a good deal of time, but the initial cost is very little if anything. Any one or several of these ideas could be combined to create a family business where everyone can get involved and make a little money. Parents get the satisfaction of knowing their children are learning to be responsible and the kids learn that hard work pays off.