Meet Eva Renee Powers of Ms. Eva’s Errand and Administrative Services in Oswego

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Renee Powers.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Eva Renee. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Ms. Eva’s Errand and Administrative Services opened in 2015. I have always had a dream to attend college and open a business after graduation. I graduated from Aurora University located in Aurora, Illinois with a dual MBA in Technology and Operations Management & Human Resource Management. My grandfather had a janitorial service when I was a little girl. I was able to go with my grandfather to clean different locations. As we were cleaning, I informed my grandfather one day I would own a cleaning company. I went a little farther than my grandfather probably would go. I started Ms. Eva’s Errand and Administrative Services catering to all customers not just a few.

There is not enough time in a day to get certain things done. I had an AHA moment. After carefully researching what was needed to open Ms. Eva’s Errand and Administrative Services I saw an opportunity to help a lot of people. I will hire people to assist me once the business grows. For now, I work by myself with anticipation of helping others in the near future. The Supply Chain industry is growing and workers are working longer hours, taking away time to get cleaning done, laundry completed and meals cooked. That is where I step in. The customer can give me a call or e-mail to request services.

I have a desire to assist companies in the Supply Chain industry. There is a strong possibility I can gain some insight in various distribution centers as well gain contracts for kitting product, repackaging, returns, in my warehouse.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The challenges of a concierge service is locating clients and keeping the clients happy with the services I provide.

Competition has a tendency to steal my ideas.

Ms. Eva’s Errand and Administrative Services – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Ms. Eva’s Administrative, Concierge and Errand Service is focused on providing exceptional service to the client. We will do everything we can to meet and exceed our clients expectations. Services can be tailored to meet the clients’ needs. The client can scheduled services, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or as a one-time deal.

Ms. Eva’s Administrative, Concierge and Errand Service hours of operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Service request outside of normal hours will be considered as scheduling permits). I have an extensive list of task I can complete between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If a request is made outside of business hours additional fees will be added to the fee. My list of task are not all inclusive. If the client sees a task or service not on my list. I encourage the client to feel free to ask. I want to make sure I am satisfying the clients every need.

Starting an Administrative, Concierge and Errand service is fairly easy and not expensive. Five hundred dollars to start a business is not bad. Any one going into the concierge industry must have business cards, business insurance, a website, e-mail address and content. Creativity works best for me. I drop or pass out business cards when I am out an about. The biggest challenge is leading potential clients to visit my website www.errandandconcierge.com. Getting notice on the Internet takes time. Social media is a must. The website must be updated often as the industry changes. I have limited competition in my area.

Services provided:
Administrative Assistance: Clerical and Secretarial
Appointment Scheduling
Arrange Carpet Cleaning/ Wait Service
Arrange Landscaping/ Wait Service
Arrange Snow Removal/Wait Service
Arranging for Repair/Maintenance Contractors
3rd Party Logistics
Assembling products/Bundling
Back to School Shopping
Banking
Bookkeeping
Cab Services ???
Charitable Drop-off
Wait services: Change, Car Wash
Collections (Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable)
Corporate-Car Bookings
Companionship (e.g., activities in/outside of the home)
Courier Service (small to medium packages only)
(Set up) Dinner Reservations
Daily home visits
Delivery of Gifts
Drop Ship Planning and Progression
Pick-up & Delivery: Dry Cleaning, Laundry & Alterations
Event Planning and Preparation… Birthday Party, Meeting or Gathering
Expedite Orders/Shipments
Family Reunion Planning
Filling out Invitations and mailing them
Gift buying and Gift Wrapping
Grocery Shopping/ Grocery Shopping pickup
Genealogical and Historical Research
Holiday Shopping
House Sitting
Internet Research for big ticket purchases such as electronics
Kit Assembly
Labeling/Relabeling products
Library Books kick up and return
Locate Corporate Housing
Making travel arrangements
Mail Packages, Buy Stamps, Ship, & Pick-up Packages Boxes & Packing Materials
Mystery Shopper
Non-medical in home services
Order Flowers and care for flowers
Personal Shopping partner
Personal Assistant
Pickup and Drop Off Prescription
Pickup and drop off of X-rays and Transcripts
Post Office drop off and Pickup
Quality of Life Improvement (e.g., exposure to performing/visual arts & current events)
Project Supervisor: Renovations & Repairs In Your Home, From Start to Finish
Virtual Purchasing Agent
Virtual Accounts Receivable
Virtual Accounts Payable
Personal Shopper… Purchases, Returns and Exchanges
Pick up and drop off meals to your front door or office… Commercial and Residential
Pick up and drop off prescription to your front door or office
Pick up and drop off of x-rays and transcripts to designated location
Recovery Services
Reservations & Tickets for Sporting Events, Concerts, & Restaurants
Return merchandise to the store
Special Day Reminder
Waiting for deliveries
Web Site Planning and Development
Wedding Assistance
Wellness Care Checks
List not all inclusive… if you don’t see a task you would like completed, please ask.

What sets me apart from my competition is I have had an enormous amount of Supply Chain Management experience so I am able to consult as well as provide a services. I am basically selling my education and skills to the clients.

The challenges of a concierge service is locating clients. Social Media is a must. Joining the National Concierge Association is a must. The National Concierge Association is there to assist the business owner with knowledge and changes in the concierge industry.

I decided to start an online candy store (candykidsinternationalcandies.com) to supplement my income when the concierge business is slow.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
If my clients are happy with my work that is success. Building relationships is also a sign of success. Clients will let others know about your business if you do a great job for them.

Pricing:

• ​Rates Start at $37.50 per hour but I am willing to negotiate with the client.
• There is a minimum of one hour charged for all Administrative Services, Concierge and Errand services.
• All services must be paid Same Day as service is provided.
• Forms of Payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover ad PayPal.
• Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment.

Contact Info:

• Address: 511 Springbrook Trail North
  Oswego, IL 60543
• Website: errandandconcierge.com
• Phone: 630-561-8445
• Email: epowers511@gmail.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Epowers511Renee
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ms-evas-errand-and-administrative-services-oswego
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evareneepowers/

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