I Won’t Do That…
(Yes, Just Like the Song)
Ok… show of hands…
Who remembers that iconic 1993 Meatloaf rock ballad “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)”?
Don’t be shy. Raise that hand proudly.
Now, what in the world does Meatloaf have to do with how to start a profitable senior concierge business?
A lot, actually.
Because when I started out in business like many others I would say YES to almost anything.
Need a resume written?
Sure, even though I had no idea what I was doing.
Massive data entry project?
Yep, I’ll take it because I thought more money meant more success.
Client calling on a Sunday while I’m with my family?
Of course, I’ll answer. I didn’t want to “lose the business.”
Taking vacation but still glued to my phone?
You bet. I’d hide in the bathroom just to deal with a last-minute client “emergency.”
But here’s the truth…
Saying YES to everything means you’re saying NO to something else your time, your family, your sanity, and your freedom.
I Was Chasing Dollars, Not Impact
When I first launched my concierge business, I thought saying YES to everything was how you grow.
But a few years in, I realized I had built a business I didn’t even like being in.
I was exhausted.
I was overcommitted.
And I was burnt out.
That’s when everything changed.
I made a list of all the services, requests, and clients I would no longer work with or accept.
I Decided I Would No Longer…
Take on data entry jobs
Work on weekends
Do wedding support
Be a dog walker
Accept one-hour “gigs”
Do heavy cleaning
Handle complex travel plans
Bend over backward for last-minute requests
Be on-call 24/7 via text
I drew a line in the sand.
I finally said: I won’t do that.
And you know what? My business didn’t shrink. It grew.
Because I finally had clarity. I created a business that worked for me, not the other way around.
This is something I often coach others on when they’re wondering how to start a profitable senior concierge business. You need boundaries. You need clarity. And you need to define your non-negotiables.
What Are YOUR Non-Negotiables?
Here’s your assignment this week:
Take a moment to reflect and ask yourself…
What services drain you the most?
What tasks do you dread but keep saying yes to?
What are the things you would never do again, even for a paycheck?
Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been in business for 10 years, defining your non-negotiables is the foundation of a business you actually enjoy.
And that’s exactly how you build a personal concierge business that is both profitable and sustainable.
Creating a Business That Supports Your Life
The freedom to say NO is what allows you to build a life that feels aligned.
No more bathroom calls while on vacation.
No more sacrificing your weekends.
No more guilt around setting boundaries with clients.
And when you create space, you create opportunity.
Opportunity to focus on clients who respect your time.
Opportunity to create packages that serve your ideal audience.
Opportunity to scale your business intentionally.
PS: Want to avoid doing tasks you hate and still grow your income? This post on From Busy Work to Financial Productivity is a must-read.
You Deserve to Work with the Right Clients
One of the biggest shifts I made was learning how to attract the right-fit clients people who value what I do and respect my boundaries.
And this didn’t happen by accident.
I learned how to stand out in business by marketing clearly, pricing strategically, and building a brand rooted in my values.
This is why I often say your right-fit clients won’t care about the things you won’t do. They’ll love you for the things you will.
Let’s Be Real: You Can’t Do It All
If you try to be everything to everyone, you’ll eventually burn out.
The key is focusing your energy where it matters most and using the right tools to stay efficient and organized.
In fact, one of the reasons I was able to shift away from doing it all myself was by getting serious about business planning. If you haven’t yet, check out the best tools for better business planning that I personally use to run my concierge business.
So friend, as I pack for my upcoming vacation, I’m reminded how far I’ve come.
Gone are the days of bathroom calls in NYC.
Gone are the late-night texts and 7-day workweeks.
Gone is the version of me who thought saying YES meant success.
Now, my success looks like peace. Like choice. Like balance.
And that’s what I want for you too.
This week, take action:
Make your “I Won’t Do That” list.
Revisit your service offerings.
Get honest about what you want from your business.
Because the only way to build a business that lasts… is to make sure it’s one you actually want to be in.
You’ve got this.
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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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