by Kathleen Richardson

Created on: October 27, 2008

There are people who can't - or don't - want to shop, and they are willing to pay a personal shopper to do it for them. Who seeks the services of a personal shopper? People with too little time, too much money, and the desire or need to be doing something other than shopping:

* businesspeople whose days are already too full;

* working parents;

* the ill or disabled;

* elderly persons with limited mobility;

* a corporation that wants its gift-giving outsourced;

* the rich and famous who not only haven't time for shopping but also can't be seen in public without being overwhelmed with attention;

* then there are those who admit to lacking the ability to choose a wardrobe, buy an ideal gift, or tastefully furnish an apartment.

If you're considering becoming a personal shopper, do your homework first. Ask yourself: whom do you envision as your client and what products would you excel at finding? Groceries, gifts, or everyday items are often what clients require. It's up to you to decide what you will or will not shop for. For instance, if your expertise runs to choosing the perfect gift and wrapping it with style, then you may want to make that your niche.

Besides doing the actual shopping, a personal shopper is expected to know about latest developments in products and where to get the best deals. You'll want to work with stores and their owners or department heads to make arrangements to take clothing, furniture or other items out on approval. Forging and maintaining a cordial relationship with stores you intend to frequent will bring benefits such as calls to let you know when items come in that might interest particular clients.

Working with clients is all about developing relationships. Your customers will appreciate the time you spend sitting down with them to get acquainted with their personal tastes and requirements. While in most cases you will be expected to do the shopping on your own, some clients will want to go to stores and shops with you. They'll solicit and value your advice, then make their own decisions.

Becoming a personal or professional shopper is a business and as such requires the development of a business plan, a reliable method of transportation, and a modest financial investment. Your marketing efforts can be as involved as establishing advertising accounts or as simple as depending on word of mouth.

What opportunities are there for you if you want to shop for others, but decide against setting up your own business? Become a personal shopper for a store or shopping mall. In some instances, particularly if you work full time, you'll receive benefits in addition to salary. Then, of course, there are the monetary tips from satisfied customers.

You may not, like the GOP's Jeff Larson, be able to land a $150,000 account to dress presidential candidate Sarah Palin. But, as a personal shopper, you will have the pleasure of using other people's money to shop for them, and at the same time, you'll get paid to do the shopping.

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