Help for Stay at Home Moms: Lori Clinton of On the Go Concierge
9:53 AM Posted by Julianne Alvarez-Wish
Moms are so very busy. There is so much to do regardless of the season. The result of staying active and keeping up with our children is often running out of time to get everything done that needs to get done.
There are times when moms could use some help...whether it's with day to day errands or planning a big event. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a business that was created to fill that exact need? There is! It's called On the Go Concierge and was created by Lori Clinton.
Lori, tell us about yourself.
I have a family of five: mom (me), Bill Clinton (adoring hubby), Hunter Clinton (14 year old loving and wonderful son), Daisy (the crazy beagle, but we love her!), and Patty (the sweetest cat ever!). As you can see, the girls clearly outnumber the boys so us girls rock the house! I come from an Accounting and Human Resource background with 20 years of experience and no gray hairs to prove it. I have always worked for large corporations and continued to when we moved to Virginia in 2007 due to my husband's military career. We had been in California for 15 years and after being with the same company for over 10 years, they had me continue to work from home in Virginia. After about seven months I had been laid off and realized it was a good thing (of course, after being totally devastated) since working California hours in Virginia was a little difficult on my family life. I decided to combine the many things I love to do! Shop, organize, run errands and assist people into one great package...a concierge business. So in 2008 I started On the Go Concierge and have not looked back.
Tell us about your business.
Things do not get any better than On the Go Concierge! I have created a smooth running business that can do anything from pickup your weekly groceries to making sure that every last detail of your wedding is taken care of for your big day. I owe it all to the many business and personal organizing skills that I have learned throughout my life and career. Managing your time is huge and OTGC makes suure that we do that for us as well as you. I have several small businesses that I do virtual/personal assistant work for and managing their calendars and schedule to make sure they are on track and freeing them up to actually 'do business' which leads them to making more money. Which, in turn, then pays for my help. OTGC loves its clients and makes customer service its top priority. We make sure we do right the first time so that there is no wasting time on a second time.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge for me was the first year of business. Things did not just happen overnight and they came with trial and error. Which, I think, is part of owning a business. You just have to make sure that you DO learn from those errors and make sure not to do them again. It can cost you your business.
What has come the easiest for you?
The clients and work. I love working with people, so of course, that was the easiest!
Where do you advertise...or do you?
The only advertising that I have done and do is leaving pet sitting postcards at vet offices for their clients, posting my business information online on various free listings, Facebook, Twitter and of course, networking. Most of my business has come from networking, referrals and Facebook and Twitter. I work within my inner circle that branches out to others. It's the only way to go for my business! That was one of my major trial and errors the first year.
What would you like to suggest to a mom who is interested in starting her own business?
If the business you are starting can allow you to keep your full time/part time job I would suggest keeping that the first year or until your business starts making money. That way you can get well established and still have a little more coming in. Also, do your homework and do not get discouraged!
Many thanks to Lori Clinton for sharing the story about her very creative business ideas, her successes and challenges as well as her advice for moms who may be interested in starting their own business.
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