Houston Professional Organizer // Houston Spa Storage Room

This organization project is from a few years ago when we helped a local Houston spa transform and organize their inventory room after they had a leak and had to redo everything in there. It was a fun project to work on from start to finish. The construction company was the original people to reach out to us to help design the space and organize it. We then went on to organize their 2nd location as they renovated this location. This project was a challenge that we happily accepted an LOVED how everything turned out. It was so fun and now we want to organize every spa space. 

Here is what we helped organize at this Houston spa:

1. Design the space and layout of how the shelving units and desks in the space would go. 
2. Procure the right type of shelving and organization products needed for the space.
3. Sort product with employees by type. 
4. Designate areas for all inventory.
5. Go through their storage area and organize the space
6. Coordinate and manage the movers for haul off of donation items and pick up of furniture items.
7. Organize all inventory. 
8. Everyone loving all the organized spaces. 

Shop products we used on this Houston spa organizing project on the Eco Modern Concierge shop page.

AFTER

PROGRESS AND BEFORE 

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TODAY ONLY: 10% off All Eco Modern Concierge Gift Certificates

 

TODAY ONLY: 10% off all gift certificates 

Today, November 28th, 2020, until 11:59pm we are offering 10% off all Eco Modern Concierge gift certificates for Small Business Saturday! This can be for you or for someone else. They make great, clutter-free holiday gifts! Contact us by 11:59pm today, November 28, 2020 with how many hours you want to purchase and you will be sent an invoice for that amount of hours. There is no limit on the amount of hours you can pre purchase at our current rates. Gift certificates purchased this year will expire December 31, 2021. All invoices must be paid by 11:59pm on December 2nd, 2020 in order to redeem this offer. 

Thank you for your continued support and helping this small business grow for the past 15 years. We can't tell you how much we appreciate it!

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12 Things You Can Work on For Your Business When You have Downtime

We are hearing so much about COVID-19 and everyone is freaked out right now. Here at Eco Modern Concierge we are still very much in business as long as everyone is healthy and continuing on with our scheduled appointments. If you are a business owner and forced not to work try to find the silver lining. I thought I would make suggestions of some things to work on for your business in your downtime. This is also great for other times when you may have some downtime in your business. This stems a little bit from things I would love to work more on if I had a ton of downtime and some of it I either stay on top of or try to on a regular basis as a business owner.

1. Write blog posts. Do you have a blog or have you been wanting to start a blog? Now is the time to come up with blog ideas and get started with it! Write about what you know, tips you have related to your industry, etc. 
2. Schedule social media posts. I personally go through periods where I like to be on social media and times when I do not. The times when I do not, I often wish I had things scheduled so I could still stay current. I often know my limits and know it is ok to take social media breaks and do a social media detox. Scheduling posts is great for times when I don't feel like being on social media.
3. Take an online class. I am part of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and the National Concierge Association (NCA) and they offer various online continuing education classes. This is great to help you expand your knowledge in a certain areas or work towards some type of certification. Or research other online classes that pertain to your specific field. 
4. Update your website. Have you been wanting to update your website and just haven't? Why not try to tackle it while you have some time. Or research website professionals in your area that 
5. Prepare your taxes. The dreaded taxes come every year and if you haven't already done your business taxes or started on various components for them, now that you may have downtime would be a great time. 
6. Renew memberships. There are several memberships and organizations that I am a part of and require me to update them and renew memberships and for some reason they mostly seem to fall in the March & April months. 
7. Join a new professional organization or networking group online. Is there a professional organization you have been wanting to join? Now is great time to do the research and send an email with any questions you may have for that particular organization. Also, there are so many different online networking groups that could help you with your business or that are related to your particular field.
8. Update online profiles. Have you been wanting to update your online profiles like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Yelp, etc.? These are often profiles we forget to update regularly especially if something has changed in your business.
9. Make lists. Make lists of all of things (or most of the things) you want to accomplish with your business and make those things happen. Or at least take the baby steps to make those things happen. 
10. Make videos. Have you been wanting to incorporate more videos into or for your business? Make several videos, edit them or not and get them out there. Let people know about your business, tips you want to share, products you love, etc. 
11. Follow up with past clients. Now is great time to follow up with past clients. Check on them and see how they are doing. Often times with I do this clients hire us to come back out and help them. 
12. Reach out to colleagues or vendors. Reach out to people in your industry or vendors you use in your industry to just chat, see how you can help each other, see if they are offering any new products or services. 

Photo by STIL on Unsplash

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Small Business Saturday

Happy Small Business Saturday!! Today, November 30th, 2019, until 11:59pm I am offering 10% off all gift certificates for Small Business Saturday! This can be for you or for someone else. They make great, clutter-free holiday gifts! Send an email to info@ecomodernconcierge.com by 11:59pm today with how many hours you want to purchase and I will send you an invoice for that amount of hours. There is no limit on the amount of hours you can pre purchase at our current rate. All invoices must be paid by 11:59pm on December 2nd, 2019 in order to redeem this offer. 
Thank you for your continued support and helping this small business grow for the past 14 years. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it! 

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Houston Events: Innovation Week Houston

I learned of Innovation Week Houston a few weeks ago, which looks like an awesome resource and I wanted to share it with you. If you are looking to grow your business this looks like a great event that is going on all week long during National Small Business week, which is next week. They are offering more than 30 workshops for entrepreneurs to help you with your business. It started in Austin and will be in Houston this year too. Go check them out!

Photo credit: People Fund

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Shop Small Saturday with Eco Modern Concierge

Today is Small Business Saturday. Today we are going to our favorite tree farm that we go to every year, Holiday Acres,  to cut down our Christmas tree. Are you shopping small and local today? For every Eco Modern Concierge gift certificate you purchase today I will give you a 15% discount. Just email info@ecomodernconcierge.com by midnight central time to reserve your gift certificate. They make great holiday gifts and can be emailed or sent by mail! 

Happy supporting local!

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Eco Modern Concierge on Padron Marketing Podcast #StandingOut

In July, I was interviewed by Katrina with Padron Marketing about business for her podcast. In August, it went live. Go check it out here -----> http://bit.ly/2fsdmql Also, check out the other podcasts on the site from other business leaders.

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Photo by: Padron Marketing

How to Start a Concierge Company

I get contacted pretty frequently from others asking to work at my company and asking to meet with me because they are interested in becoming a concierge. I thought I would write some things you need become a concierge. You can read this post on how I got started many years ago. I started my concierge company over 10 years ago when I was in college because I needed extra money. I provide services like professional organizing, personal assistance and eco consulting. I have seen many companies start similar businesses in Houston these past 10 years and it is wonderful to see so much growth because Houston is so big.

• Come up with a name. This can be changed, but I suggest sticking to something that you will use a long time. 
• File for a DBA. Go to the court house and file a DBA to make your business official. I chose to stick with a DBA / Sole Proprietorship because that is how I wanted to do it. Others can become an LLC, etc. 
• Set up a website. I have found this is a must nowadays in the concierge world because people want to see the type of services that you offer. 
• Research similar businesses in your area. Find out who your competition is and what they are up to. I view it more of community over competition because often times I need help from colleagues in the same field as me.
• Make sure you have an online prescense. Start social media sites including, Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. Through the years I have gained some business through social media, but not a ton.
• Spread the word about your business. Get out there and network with others and tell everyone you know about your business. You never know who will need your services. Spread the word using various tactics and sources like blog posts, social media, etc.
• Collaborate. If you are just starting out see if you can assist another concierge company on a project or shadow for a day. Like I mentioned above many people have reached out to me through the years, so I would suggest reaching out to other concierge companies.
• Find a niche. My niche is Green Concierge because I try to do things in the most eco way possible if that is what the client wants. I have many clients who are into very eco practices as well. 
• Choose your marketing carefully. I haven't done a who lot of marketing because most of my business is word of mouth. There are various marketing things that you can do. 
• Network. Go to networking events, lunches and like I said above, tell everyone you know. I don't always particularly like going to networking events, but I have gained business from it. 
• Follow up. Follow up on any leads that you may meet along the way. You never know what may come of it.
• Join organizations. Join local and national organizations that may be beneficial to your business. I am part of NAPO national and NAPO Houston. 
• Get Insurance. Insurance isn't too much a year depending on the type of coverage you get, but I think it is a wise idea to get it. Many potential new clients will ask you if you have it.
• Home office or office space. For many years I ran my business out of my home because it was easiest. Now I am in an office and I like it because I can bring clients by if need be and it helps me separate home and business life more. 
• Have fun! Starting a concierge business should be fun! There will definitely be challenges along the way, but you will overcome those pretty quickly. 

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5 Misconceptions About Personal Concierge Companies

There are so many misconceptions about concierges and I wanted to highlight some

• They are for rich people. This is definitely not the case. I work with such a large range a variety of individuals, whether this is teachers, lawyers, marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, stay at home moms, and the list goes on and on. I just tell others that people hire me because they need help in a specific area or that is what they want to spend their money on for the moment. Just like my husband and I like to spend money on trying new restaurants. 
• That we will purposely take our time to charge more. For me this is a big NO. I absolutely love what I do and try to go at a fast, efficient pace, but sometimes that is just not possible. There are many days that I want to get home as quickly as possible just like anyone else, but take my time to make sure things are done right.
• They don't care about the client. WHAT?!?! Personally, I try to build a relationship with all my clients whether they use my services once a week or once every 2 years. I love the relationships that I get to form with my clients and try to continue to grow it. 
• They aren't relevant because of personal assistant apps. Things are changing in the concierge world, but with that said I do think personal concierges are still very relevant. Like I said above, I try to build relationships with my clients and with app services you can't always do that because there is a different person usually each time. I do love some of the time saving apps, but do see where some people still crave that personal one on one time.
• They are competitive. I think every business is competitive to a degree, but like have I said before I view it as community over competition in the concierge world because Houston is so big and I cannot possibly handle every single need of every Houstonian. There are some companies in the concierge / professional organizing world that are competitive, but I have referred work to other companies on many occasions and vice versa. 

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Shop Small Saturday

Today is Small Business Saturday. Today we are going to our favorite tree farm that we go to every year, Holiday Acres,  to cut down our Christmas tree. Are you shopping small and local today?

Photo: Le Zu Photography

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10 Things I Use on a Day to Day Basis For Eco Modern Concierge

• Car. I use my car for everything, especially since Houston does not have a good public transit system.  I use my car to go to meetings, visit clients, run errands, etc. etc.
• Computer. I use my computer for so many different things to write emails, send invoices, research, write blog posts and the list goes on and on. 
• Phone. This is how I communicate with others. I receive calls from potential clients, current clients, business calls, I use it to text, send emails, and once again, the list goes on and on. 
• Internet. This is a must as you know to send emails, invoices, etc.
• Company Debit &/ or Credit Card. Having a company debit or credit card is a must because it helps you keep your business and personal money separate. I use it to purchase client items if needed, business lunches, supplies, etc. 
• Cash. You never know when you will need cash for parking, to tip valet or a server, go to cash only places, etc. 
• Phone Charger. I need my charger with me because my phone dies so quickly, especially if I am on Snapchat, Insta stories or taking some type of video. 
• Planner. I write most of my appointments, events, to-dos, etc. in my planner. I much prefer a paper planner to an electronic one because I can make notes in it with stickies and I am a visual person so I retain more. 
• Notebook / Pen & Pencil. I am constantly writing things down. Like I said I am a visual person, so I retain more when I can write it down. When I meet with new clients and current clients I will more than likely write, write, write so I don't miss anything.
• Food. Throughout the day I will sometimes forget to eat and then I get really bad hunger headaches. I try to always keep snacks on me, so I can remember to eat and so I don't have to spend a whole bunch of money going out to eat.

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Eco Modern Concierge a WBENC - Certified Women Business Enterprise!

I have some great news! Last week after much hard work, time, and a ton of paperwork, Eco Modern Concierge is certified as a women's business enterprise by Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation's largest third-party certifier of the businesses owned and operated by women in the U.S.!!

I look forward to new ventures and opportunities in Houston.

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