Thinking about starting a personal concierge business but feeling a little hesitant? Maybe you’re worried about the risks of working with new clients, or perhaps you’re wondering how to find clients for your concierge business, especially with big platforms like TaskRabbit and DoorDash in the mix.

People are always asking me in their worried time “How do I compete with Task Rabbit or Door Dash or Instacart”? 

Here’s the thing.

The most successful concierge businesses don’t operate like gig economy platforms. They aren’t built on one-off transactions with random people
Instead, they’re based on relationships, trust, and personalized service.

Although you’ll probably get several one-off requests over the years – Like that time a woman from Seattle Washington hired me in PA to go buy a lamp for her at a furniture store and have it shipped to her. She had accidentally broken one of hers that was a set of 2, and the lamps had significant meaning to her. That was a fun request. Or the time I drove an hour away to buy a diorama and have it expertly packed and shipped to California!

Anyway…

How Do I Compete with TaskRabbit, DoorDash, Instacart and Other Platforms?

It’s easy to look at big platforms and think, how can I possibly compete with that? But the truth is, you aren’t competing with them at all. You’re playing an entirely different game.

❌ TaskRabbit and DoorDash and Instacart cater to people looking for quick, low-cost help. Most of their clients are searching for the cheapest or fastest option.

✅ Concierge services focus on high-touch, long-term relationships. Your ideal clients want a reliable, trusted person who removes stress from their life week after week—not just someone to complete a one-time task.

Instead of trying to compete on price or speed, position yourself as a premium, relationship-based service.

✔️ Offer white-glove service. Instead of just running an errand, be the go-to person who handles everything seamlessly. Example: Instead of just grocery shopping, offer to put the food away, stock the fridge + organize the pantry.

One of my first consistent clients in my concierge business was Brian, a single dad. He owned our local Brightstar Homecare. He hired me to manage the grocery shopping for him every 10ish days. He would send me the list, but I stocked and rotated the pantry. I always made sure his daughter never ran out of her favorite ice-cream. I bought meats in bulk and would put it all in pre-portioned packages complete with dates, so it was seamless for him to come home after a long day and make dinner for his two kids. 

✔️ Work with a specific clientele. Busy professionals, senior citizens, realtors, and business owners all need trusted help. Focus on building long-term relationships with them instead of chasing one-off jobs.

When you focus on one specific niche, you’ll quickly build a reputation as the “go-to” person… Like my friend Maggie who’s a realtor and worked specially with seniors downsizing. 

✔️ Be the expert, not just the service provider. Share tips, educate your audience, and become known as the person who solves problems, not just runs errands.

The reality is high-end clients aren’t looking for a “bargain” … they’re looking for peace of mind and convenience. When you position your business this way, you’ll never have to compete with gig workers.

Your Next Steps

The key is to focus on relationships, personalization, and true convenience—not competing with low-cost, one-time gig work.

For Example,

When I travel, I always pre-order food or snacks. Whether I’m spending a week in Disney or just 2 days in a hotel for a conference. Having food, I can eat is important to me. I’ll use Instacart. 

I’m traveling to Paris in May. I’ll be there for 6 weeks. I’ll be bringing my dog Benji and running my business from my Airbnb. To do this seamlessly, I need help with arranging to have special food on hand for Benji and supplies when we arrive. I need access to co-working spaces to host a Meetup. I want to have access to a gym so I can keep lifting while abroad. I need professional high-end help, and I’ve paid $3000 for a package of concierge hours.

Your ideal clients are out there. They’re busy, they need help, and they’re willing to pay for peace of mind.

The question is—are you ready to serve them?

Need help with positioning yourself and pricing? Get a copy of my book The Concierge Life. I break down all the things you need to know to get high end clients.

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Welcome readers! If this is your first time reading my blog, thank you for stopping by! As a concierge who has built a multi 6 figure business, went from a team of 1 (me) to 8 employees in under 5-years and won multiple awards, my passion is helping others create the same success for themselves! As the Founder of The Concierge Academy, I write about specific topics and marketing strategies that work for concierges, caretakers, assistants, organizers, and other “helper” businesses.

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