Showing posts with label houstontx. Show all posts
Showing posts with label houstontx. Show all posts
Friday, November 3, 2017
Made in the USA: 2017 World Series Pennant GO ASTROS!!!!
Friday, June 9, 2017
How to Start a Concierge Company
- 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.
Monday, May 1, 2017
The Number One Benefit for a Concierge
What is the number one benefit of the job you do?
ecomodernconcierge.com
Friday, February 24, 2017
10 Qualities of a Concierge
I thought I would outline some qualities of concierge. Concierges are so many different things to different people. Below are some qualities that most concierges possess and this is definitely not all of them.
- Super Organized. You have to be super organized or you will get chewed up and spit out real quick.
- Part Magician. Because we can often times do the impossible. ;)
- Be Honest with Your Clients. You have to be honest with your clients because, if not, karma is coming to get you.
- Provide Excellent Customer Service. This is an absolute must.
- Problem Solver. Don't say I can't. If you are not sure about something, be honest and tell clients you are looking for the best solution. More than likely there is a solution to most problems.
- Strategist. You are constantly strategizing whether it is finding ways to handle things or planning out your day.
- Open Minded. Be open minded about requests that come in. It is always interesting to do things that you may have never done before as long as it is legal.
- Thirst for New Knowledge. I am constantly researching, reading, trying to stay up on what is new and happening in Houston, etc. This is a must if you are helping clients who depend on you to be in the know.
- Resourceful / Creative. You have to have a pocket full of resources to refer to and come up with creative solutions.
- FUN. Have fun with it, this makes life so much better.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Eco Valentine's Ideas
I decided to repost this content from last year because all the information still stays the same for the most part and why not.
Do you have plans for Valentine's Day? There are several small steps you can do to make your Valentine's Day a little more eco. Here are some of my tips:
- Get outside! This year Valentine's Day is on a Sunday, so it will be the perfect time to get outside, weather permitting. Whether this is picnicking outside, taking a bike ride together going for a walk, gardening, planting a tree, etc., try to soak up some of the fresh air.
- Visit farmers markets. If you are located in Houston visit farmers markets that are open during Valentine's weekend or day like Urban Harvest farmers market or East End farmers market. Farmers markets are also a great place to buy local gifts, like candles, plants, jewelry, etc. Here are a list of farmers markets in Houston: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/shopping/farmers-markets/
- Eat local. If you plan on going out to eat, choose places that source food locally or have eco building materials. Houston has such a great restaurant scene that you are bound to find something that has green aspects. You can also cook something at home, its romantic and special.
- Buy fair trade products. If you plan on buying chocolates or goodies for your partner, choose fair trade items. Most grocery stores sell fair trade chocolate or check out Ten Thousand Villages in Houston that has many different fair trade products.
- Buy plants or flowers from a local grower. Instead of buying a bouquet of flowers from the local grocery store, opt to buy a plant that will last a lot longer. Check out local farmers markets for florists and plant growers.
- Buy organic / biodynamic wine or liquor. If you can, choose to buy organic and / or biodynamic wine or liquor that you can find at the grocery store or other speciality stores. There are many affordable options out there under $25. Whole Foods and Spec's are some of my favorite places to look for alcoholic drinks.
- Shop local and / or eco.
- If you plan on buying jewelry, consider getting conflict free diamonds, jewelry made with recycled metals or vintage jewelry. Try brilliantearth.com.
- If you are going for a day of pampering, consider using eco products like Tata Harper or going to an eco salon like Organic Spa Houston or Milk + Honey (they are currently not open, but have pop up shop with eco products) .
- Visit local shops that sell items from local makers / artists like Manready Mercantile, Cactus Music and Space Montrose.
- Give Back. If you have children or just want to do it on your own make, cards for local hospitals and nursing homes. I have been doing this for years for Texas Children's Hospital. Adopt an animal for World Wildlife Fund.
- What to do in Houston on Valenetine's Day. Here are some eco and not so eco things to do in Houston on Valentine's Day:
Friday, January 20, 2017
Navigating Super Bowl 51 in Houston, TX
Anyone else excited about the Super Bowl being in Houston? The festivities begin next week. Eco Modern Concierge is super excited to be an approved vendor for the Super Bowl and work with different clients in regards to Super Bowl activities, whether this is errands, personal assistant tasks, professional organizing tasks, personal concierge tasks, etc.
When I first thought about writing this post I thought about all the tips and tricks I could share, but then thought why reinvent the wheel of content that is already out there. The Visit Houston website and Houstonia Magazine both have some great content out there already. Also, KHOU has details on various parties and happenings. Go check out their sites and get ready to experience something exciting in Houston or just stay home and avoid Downtown ;)
Saturday, November 26, 2016
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
ecomodernconcierge.com
Friday, November 11, 2016
Houston and Surrounding Areas Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets in Houston and Surrounding Areas
Urban Harvest: Eastside
Saturdays 8am -12pm
3000 Richmond
Houston, TX 77098
Urban Harvest: City Hall
Wednesday September 14th - December 21st
11am - 1:30pm
901 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
Rice University Farmers Market
Tuesdays 3:30 -6:30pm
5600 Greenbriar
Houston, TX 77005
Finca Tres Robles Farm Stand
Wednesdays 2-6pm & Saturdays 9am - 1pm
257 N. Greenwood
Houston, TX 77011
Westchase District Farmers Market
10503 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77042
East End Market
Sundays 10am -2pm
2800 Navigation Blvd
Houston, TX77003
Camino Farmers Market
Open Daily 6am - 8pm
2520 Airline Dr.
Houston, TX 77009
Farmers Market on Grand Parkway
Saturdays 8am - 12pm
1225 W. Grand Pkwy S
Katy, TX 77494
Tomball Farmers Market
Saturdays 9am - 1pm
205 W. Main
Tomball, TX 77375
Woodlands Farmers Market
Saturdays 8am - 12pm
7 Switchbud Pl
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Clear Lake Shores Farmers Market
Saturdays 9am - 1pm
1020 Marina Bay Dr.
Clear Lake Shores, TX 77565
ecomodernconcierge.com
Monday, October 24, 2016
Made in the USA: Absorene
Have any of you used Absorene on your paper and/or books before? I was reading an article about it and immediately placed it in my Amazon cart. It is a non-toxic putty and gets dust, dirt and smoke off of paper. Plus, it is made in the USA!
Monday, October 10, 2016
8 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Personal Concierge
There are endless reasons why you should hire a concierge, but below are reasons that my clients have hired me and my company, Eco Modern Concierge, to help them out. Most of my clients live in Houston and need an organizer, personal assistant or concierge to help out with random tasks, but I also have clients that live in different cities or who travel to Houston and need help. I get requests all year round, but the holidays are upon us and I am especially busy organizing events, buying gifts, wrapping gifts, and shipping gifts, among many different things. Visit the Eco Modern Concierge website to contact me, Amy, if you are needing help and looking to get started in time for the holidays.
- Need help and outsource tasks. This is the number one reason why clients contact me. They just can't do it all or just don't want to do it all and they need HELP. They contact me to handle tasks that they want to outsource, whether that is dry cleaning, errands, research or just sitting at the house why the gas gets turned on. Outsourcing tasks can help you in all areas of your life.
- Saves time. For others when they hire me or another concierge company they are essentially saving themselves a ton of time so they can spend that time with family or free up time in general.
- Stress less. By hiring a concierge company it helps others stress less because they don't have to worry about their ongoing to-do list.
- Save money. In the long run you can save a lot of money by using a concierge if you utilize them properly because many of times they know where to get deals, can get discounts, save you from spending more money while you are shopping, etc. I work with different companies and organizations like hotels and am able to get my clients some great discounts from time to time.
- Piece of mind. By hiring a concierge company it gives you a piece of mind. Especially when you start working with an individual or company on a regular basis you know what you can expect from them. I have many clients that I work for and know what is in their house on a regular basis and how I need to stock it on a regular basis, for events, when they return from trips, for their guests, etc.
- Organization. You become more organized and are able to stay on top of things more when you hire a concierge. For me at Eco Modern Concierge I am a professional organizer so I help my clients stay organized on a day to day basis and / or on a project basis.
- Confidentiality. You know that when you hire a concierge most, if not all, should state that they keep all your personal, business and private information confidential. When my clients sign my consulting agreement there is a statement in there that says all their information is confidential.
- Resourceful. Most concierges you hire are resourceful in various ways. I use so many different resources to help my clients out whether this is online resources, contacts, companies, etc.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Houston Pumpkin Patches
There are several pumpkin patches all throughout Houston where you can pick out your own pumpkins and take part in fun activities happening. Where are your favorites?
Below are some places to check out, but you can also see a long list here Houston on the Cheap and here Houston.Citymomsblog.com.
St. Luke's United Methodist 3471 Westheimer, Houston, TX
Blessington Farms 510 Chisolm Trail, Wallis, TX
Old MacDonald's Farm 3202 FM 1960 East, Humble, TX
P-6 Farms 9963 Poole's Rd., Montgomery, TX
Old Time Christmas Tree Farm 7632 Spring Cypress Rd., Spring, TX
Froberg's Farm 3601 West Highway 6, Alvin, TX
7 Acre Wood 4401 N. Frazier, Conroe, TX
Oil Ranch 23501 Macedonia Road, Hockley, TX
Dewberry Farm FM 362 and Morrison Rd, Brookshire, TX
Halter Inc. 17410 Clay Road, Houston, TX
ecomodernconcierge.com
Friday, September 23, 2016
My Fall Bucket List
I thought I would make a fall bucket list of things I want to do this fall. If you know me, you know that I like to go go go. I really need to slow down sometimes, but once October hits our calendars are usually jam packed with events.
Here are some things that I hope to do this fall:
- Go to a new winery or brewery.
- Explore a new city in Texas.
- Try 3 new crockpot recipes.
- Go to the Renaissance Festival. We haven't been in years and I really want to go.
- Go see a show at the redone Heights Theater in Houston. This is where Bry and I's reception was years ago when it was Gallery M Squared.
- Start to learn to play the piano.
- Visit a pumpkin patch.
- Volunteer somewhere new.
- Start writing a gratitude journal. I did this years ago and want to start it again because I have so much to be grateful for.
- Go camping. I haven't been camping in years and want to go when it isn't scorching out.
- Go to the drive in. We haven't been in years and once again I want to go when it isn't scorching out.
What are some things on your fall bucket list?
ecomodernconcierge.com
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Job Posting Houston: Personal Assistant Position
I have a full-time personal assistant position available for a client of mine. They are a busy working couple located near the Med Center in the Braes Heights area. Please visit the website for a full job description and share with others who may be good for this position. You can send your resume to info@ecomodernconcierge.com. Thanks!
http://ecomodernconcierge.com/jobpostings/
Friday, July 22, 2016
Concierge Must Have Item : Credit Card Readers
This item isn't just for a concierge, but for businesses in general. Many other businesses in my field do not all accept credit cards. I think they are a necessary because so many people these days only want to pay by credit card. I don't mind eating the credit card fees if I am offering convenience for clients, plus they are tax deductible. I use Square. Do you accept credit cards in your business? Why or why not?
ecomodernconcierge.com
Friday, June 17, 2016
Concierge Must Have Item: Planner + Notepad
Concierge Must Have Item series has some and will have some pretty obvious things in it like this post. A must have for me is a paper planner, notebook, as well as, pens & pencils. I am a totally visual person and remember so much more if I write things down myself and can go back and look at it, make notes, cross things off, etc. I have to constantly write down notes from clients, notes from consultations, take notes at networking events and conferences, write down my schedule, blog ideas, etc. etc.
Don't get me wrong, I love electronic devices to keep track of things as well, but there is just something about pen and paper and writing things down yourself. I usually retain so much more that way and remember a lot more. Below are some of the brands that are my favorite and all of which I have talked about on here before.
- This year I tried out a new planner the Simplified Planner, which I like because I can write so much down on it, but don't know if it is the planner for me.
- Le Pens are some of my favorite pens because they write so smooth. I very rarely like free pens and promotional item things, but I really like this Visit Houston pen I got when joing GHCVB, it writes so smooth as well.
- Every since a client introduced me to Blackwing pencils years ago I have been obsessed and really prefer them over other pencils.
- Russell + Hazel products have been a go to of mine for many year as I love their mini binders, all the inserts and products you can add to them.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Concierge Must Have Item: Phone & Computer + Benefits of Using Them
Benefits of a computer and cell phone:
- Organization
- Efficiency
- Business growth
- New business connections
- Research
- Increased productivity
- Storage of information
- Networking
- Flexibility to work where ever you want
- Online shopping / business bill pay
There are days that I do want to just not use these items for the day, but that rarely happens. Sometimes a digital detox is necessary.
What are some of your favorite must have items to help you with your job?
*Rifle Paper Co. phone case. I was sad it wasn't made in the USA like their stationary. Here is another Rifle phone case I like.
The marble computer case I got off of Amazon.
ecomodernconcierge.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Green Your Valentine's Day
Do you have plans for Valentine's Day? There are several small steps you can do to make your Valentine's Day a little more eco. Here are some of my tips:
- Get outside! This year Valentine's Day is on a Sunday, so it will be the perfect time to get outside, weather permitting. Whether this is picnicking outside, taking a bike ride together going for a walk, gardening, planting a tree, etc., try to soak up some of the fresh air.
- Visit farmers markets. If you are located in Houston visit farmers markets that are open during Valentine's weekend or day like Urban Harvest farmers market or East End farmers market. Farmers markets are also a great place to buy local gifts, like candles, plants, jewelry, etc. Here are a list of farmers markets in Houston: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/shopping/farmers-markets/
- Eat local. If you plan on going out to eat, choose places that source food locally or have eco building materials. Houston has such a great restaurant scene that you are bound to find something that has green aspects. You can also cook something at home, its romantic and special.
- Buy fair trade products. If you plan on buying chocolates or goodies for your partner, choose fair trade items. Most grocery stores sell fair trade chocolate or check out Ten Thousand Villages in Houston that has many different fair trade products.
- Buy plants or flowers from a local grower. Instead of buying a bouquet of flowers from the local grocery store, opt to buy a plant that will last a lot longer. Check out local farmers markets for florists and plant growers.
- Buy organic / biodynamic wine or liquor. If you can, choose to buy organic and / or biodynamic wine or liquor that you can find at the grocery store or other speciality stores. There are many affordable options out there under $25. Whole Foods and Spec's are some of my favorite places to look for alcoholic drinks.
- Shop local and / or eco.
- If you plan on buying jewelry, consider getting conflict free diamonds, jewelry made with recycled metals or vintage jewelry. Try brilliantearth.com.
- If you are going for a day of pampering, consider using eco products like Tata Harper or going to an eco salon like Organic Spa Houston or Milk + Honey (they are currently not open, but have pop up shop with eco products) .
- Visit local shops that sell items from local makers / artists like Manready Mercantile, Cactus Music and Space Montrose.
- Give Back. If you have children or just want to do it on your own make, cards for local hospitals and nursing homes. I have been doing this for years for Texas Children's Hospital. Adopt an animal for World Wildlife Fund.
- What to do in Houston on Valenetine's Day. Here are some eco and not so eco things to do in Houston on Valentine's Day: