Personal Shoppers

Employers

Professional men and women with high incomes and busy schedules are the primary employers of personal shoppers. Shoppers may also work with people with new jobs requiring dress clothes, but also with people who need to perk up an old wardrobe. Personal shoppers may work for executives in corporations who need to buy gifts for large staffs of employees. Some of their clients may be elderly or have disabilities and have problems getting out to do their shopping. Department stores and specialty boutiques also hire personal shoppers to help customers and provide personalized service beyond that offered by the store's regular retail sales staff.

Starting Out

Start-up costs for personal shoppers can be very low; you may only have to invest in a computer, Web site, business cards, and a reliable form of transportation. But it could take you a very long time to develop a regular clientele. Likely, you will rely on referrals from current clients to get new clients.

You'll want to develop your business part time while still working full time at another, more reliable job. Some of your first clients may come from your workplace. Offer free introductory services to a few people and encourage them to spread the word and hand out your business card. You'll also need to become very familiar with the local retail establishments and the discount stores with low-cost, high-quality merchandise.