July is here…
A full year of school in “Covid” times is over (praise be!) and my fam and I are enjoying a little summer vacation. We decided not to travel far but when you own a beach house, well, that’s vacation enough. No schlepping chairs, coolers, or even a hairdryer.
But there’s something that’s been on my heart lately especially if you’re new to running a service-based business like a personal or senior concierge service.
It’s this:
Discounting your services to “get the gig” is NEVER a good idea.
I know this might sound harsh, especially when you’re in startup mode or just trying to land your first few clients. Maybe you’re figuring out how to start a profitable senior concierge business and someone (usually with less experience than you!) says:
“Just lower your price to get in the door.”
But here’s the truth. That advice? It’s often the fastest way to burn out, attract the wrong clients, and feel resentful in your own business.
Why Discounting Hurts More Than It Helps
When you offer discounts, what you’re really doing is undercutting your own value. And that creates ripple effects:
You attract the wrong clients
You teach people to expect lower prices
You exhaust your energy
You build resentment around work you once loved
I’ve been there. I’ve offered discounts because I listened to others (who weren’t even as successful as they appeared!). Every single time I gave someone a price break:
They’d be high maintenance
They’d micromanage the invoice
They’d question my time
They’d expect that discount every time
It set a bad precedent and every single time it bit me in the bumm.
If you’re working toward building a concierge business that supports seniors, your clients need real support, care, trust, and consistency. That’s not something to discount. That’s something to stand firm in and price accordingly.
It’s Time to Own Your Value
If you’re in the beginning stages of your business especially a non-medical senior service, or even just exploring concierge services for the elderly you might be asking:
“What should I charge?”
I get it. Pricing brings up all kinds of emotions worthiness, fear, imposter syndrome… and this is especially true when your work is service-based.
Here’s what I tell my students in our Pricing Workshop:
You have to feel into the right price.
If your gut clenches every time someone asks, “What do you charge?” then you probably need to reassess your confidence in your pricing.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stretch and grow. I’ve raised my rates many times over the years. The first time, I was terrified but the truth is, when I believed in my value, more people started saying yes.
But when I pushed my rates too far before I believed in them? Crickets. I had an “energetic snag” and potential clients could smell my discomfort a mile away.
What To Do Instead of Discounting
If you’re committed to building a senior concierge business that actually lasts (and pays your bills), then here’s what I recommend instead of offering discounts:
Quote a price you can say with confidence
Stay there until you grow into more confidence
Raise your rates after every 3rd client
Watch for price resistance (you’ll know it when you hear “no” more often than usual)
This method has helped me and my students grow our businesses without giving away the farm. When you’re clear and confident, your ideal clients can feel it and they’ll trust you more.
One of our most popular blogs, Top 3 Ways to Price Your Services, walks you through different pricing models. Whether you’re building hourly services, packages, or a membership, it’s crucial to get clear now before you start lowering your fees out of fear.
The Ripple Effect of Right Pricing
When you charge appropriately for your time and value, here’s what happens:
You attract better clients
You protect your energy
You create consistent revenue
You build a sustainable business
And guess what? You’ll feel proud of the work you’re doing, especially if your focus is on helping seniors stay independent or supporting families through aging transitions.
This blog on From Busy Work to Financial Productivity dives deeper into how your time is your most valuable asset and how to stop spinning your wheels doing low-value work.
Final Thoughts
So do you have a new view on giving discounts?
It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the energy you bring to your business. And if you want to start a business helping seniors that is profitable and sustainable, it all starts with how you price your services.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Inside our Pricing Workshop, I show you step-by-step how to:
Build confidence in your pricing
Set rates you can stand behind
Avoid discounting traps
Create packages or memberships that sell themselves
There’s no one “right” price. But there IS a right price for you. Trust yourself. Practice. And let that confidence grow, one client at a time.
You May Also Like:
TaskRabbit vs. Personal Concierge Services – understand what sets your senior support business apart
From Busy Work to Financial Productivity – how to focus your time where it matters most
Top 3 Ways to Price Your Services – practical models to confidently charge what you’re worth
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Thinking about starting a concierge business but not sure what you need—or where to even begin? The Concierge Starter Kit includes the exact templates, client forms, flyers, and tools I used when I first got started—plus a video walkthrough showing you how to use them all. I also cover what kind of insurance actually matters (and what’s just noise), so you can skip the overwhelm and start on solid ground.
➤ Grab the Concierge Starter Kit – $47. It’s the shortcut I wish I had. Get it HERE: https://theconciergeacademy.com/starterkit
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