Run a Profitable Delivery/Errand Service
If you have time on your hands, and you own a vehicle, you might want to consider starting an errand/courier business. This service involves delivering goods to people and businesses for a small charge. Generally, the distances are short (usually confined to your local area).
The only drawback of this shoestring business is that you will have to be available at all hours – day and evening. Hence, this is not really a business that would suit someone looking for a part-time venture,
Who are your customers?
The variety of customers in this field is only surpassed by the variety of goods you will be transporting. Medical offices, pharmacies, restaurants, liqueur stores, flower shops, and corporations are all in need of courier/delivery services.
Another big part of your business will be providing errand services for the public. These will normally be people that can’t get out or simply like the convenience of having their items delivered. Be prepared to deliver everything from groceries, prescriptions, restaurant food, alcohol, and more.
Because of the variety of customers and services required, it’s always a good idea to specialize in one particular area. One way to do this is to concentrate on either commercial or residential customers.
If you decide to dedicate your business to providing services to the public, one of the best places to advertise is the local classified ads. To keep your call volume up, you might have to take out a permanent ad.
If you decide to concentrate your efforts on the commercial side of things, you might find that getting in the door is easier said than done. The reason for this is because most businesses already deal with established couriers. In some cases, they will only deal with well known firms. That’s understandable if the freight is very valuable or contains sensitive information. Don’t despair though; there is always a chance that they will give you a trial run once you become more established.
To get your foot in the door of the commercial side of the business, you might have to do some door-to-door sales. Get plenty of business cards printed and try to speak with the owners of some small businesses in your neighbourhood. You might also want to try talking to medical professionals. Try to get an appointment before going over.
Another angle is to convince a few restaurants to use your service. This can be beneficial to them as you can handle the overflow deliveries during busy times. Also keep in mind that most food delivery will involve a tip – these can quickly add up.
Try not to pigeonhole yourself here – or you could wind up devoting most of your time to delivering food. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there is much more opportunity when you establish yourself as a general courier/errand service.
This is a perfect business to scale once you’ve established some regular customers. Hire some employees with their own car, and pay them a mileage charge along with their wages. You might be surprised how quickly you can grow a business like this once you’re established and you’ve made a name for yourself.
One final note: Make sure that you visit City Hall before you launch your new venture. This is especially true if you plan to transport alcohol. Rules and regulations vary by municipality and you need to know exactly what the requirements are before you invest in this business. Don’t overlook this important step.
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