As people in today's society get busier and busier, the idea of having someone to handle your personal errands becomes very attractive. Think about your own schedule at your busiest. Imagine being able to save a few hours a week by hiring someone to run to the cleaners, take your dog to the vet and plan your travel itinerary for your next vacation. Sounds great, doesn't it?

Starting a personal concierge business can be a great small business idea for anyone who enjoys assisting others, has a flexible schedule, and thrives on variety. Here are some of the benefits you can expect from starting a personal concierge business:

• You can provide any combination of services you want.
• You don't need any special training or experience.
• You have the ability to form long-term relationships with clients.
• You can grow your business from low-investment marketing activities, such as word-of-mouth referrals.
• You may be able to offer your services on a larger scale to local companies who want to provide concierge services as an employee benefit.

If you start a personal concierge services business, here are some of the potential challenges you may face:

• Luxury services are among the first expenses cut during difficult financial times.
• You may have to deal with demanding clients and a demanding schedule.
• If you are accessing your clients' homes, you should have insurance and/or become bonded to protect yourself from liability.
• You may be busiest during your own busy season, such as holidays.
• You may have to be "on-call" for clients who need last-minute assistance.

For more on starting a personal concierge business:

• What Does It Take to Run a Personal Shopper and Errand Service Business?
• How to Be a Personal Concierge
• National Concierge Association

This time of year always makes me want to open all of the windows, clear out the room and create a new office for the new season. This happens a few times a year in my home office, and if I opted to buy new equipment, furniture or decorations each time, it would be a pretty hefty expense.

Luckily, I've mastered the ability to change things up without spending any money. Here are three of my favorite ways to work with what I have and freshen up my home office so it feels brand new without spending a penny.

Rearrange the Layout

Sometimes all it takes to achieve the feeling of a new office is changing the layout. I move my desk to the other side of the room, switch positions of my floor lamp and filing cabinets, or move a chair or table to a new location.

The biggest hurdle with rearranging the furniture is managing the wires, cables and plugs. But if you're able to move your furniture and equipment without losing access to wall jacks and outlets, it can be worth the effort.

Refresh the Artwork

I have been known to stare off at the walls when I'm deep in thought or when I need to give my eyes a break. I want to have something colorful and eye-catching to look at, something I really enjoy.

I've accomplished this by borrowing wall art from other rooms, decorating with my kids' art (there's always a large supply of new "pieces"), and using outdated marketing materials to create my own unique decorations.

Repurpose the Furniture

Do you have multi-purpose furniture in your office or furniture you can borrow from another room in your home? Try using a table as a desk to give yourself some extra elbow room, transform your filing cabinets into an equipment hub, or grab your favorite chair from your sitting room and make a reading nook in your office.

With a little creativity and a willingness to move some furniture, you may be surprised by what you can create.

Want more home office redesign inspiration? Check out:

• 5 Home Office Design Tips for Better Productivity
• 60 Seconds to a Better Office Space Design

Photo (c) a_kartha

It's Labor Day weekend, and small business owners everywhere are closing up shop for one last summer vacation. Are you in? Or will you be spending the long weekend in your office, trying to catch up and get ahead for September?

If you're sitting squarely in the second group, I'm here to urge you to take some time off, even just a few hours, to enjoy the holiday weekend. Here's why:

1. You can come back to work rejuvenated, and potentially with a boost to your motivation and productivity.
2. A break from work can help you avoid burnout, work-related stress and illness.
3. Time off is a great way to give yourself a chance to gain a new perspective and look at challenges from a different angle.
4. You can spend dedicated, quality time with family and friends who you may not see very often.
5. You've been working hard; you deserve it!

So, with that, I'm wrapping up early this weekend and taking some time off. Are you with me?

If you're not convinced, discover some more reasons you should consider taking a vacation this weekend.

Photo (c) tracywade

The best small business ideas maximize what you're good at and what you're passionate about. If writing is your ultimate hobby, you may find that creating a business that allows you to market yourself as a freelance writer is the perfect combination of passion and business.

Many professional writers start out with a love of the written word and don't necessarily think in terms of writing for a living. But once the idea of forming a business from writing takes hold, there are a lot of benefits you can experience:

• You can make a living from your creativity.
• Startup costs are minimal; the bare minimum requires only a computer and Internet connection.
• You can establish yourself as an expert on a particular topic.
• There are many types of writing you can explore -- online writing, print, sales copywriting, speech writing, creative writing, etc.
• You can work from home on your own schedule.
• Your written voice can make you sought-after and unique.
• Your earning potential increases with your experience.

Like most small business ideas, freelance writing has its share of challenges, including:

• It can be difficult to differentiate yourself in a crowded market of writers.
• Many writing assignments are short-term.
• It can be challenging to find consistent writing work that pays well, especially when you're just starting out.
• The quality of your writing must be exceptional.
• You may have to deal with plagiarism and copyright issues, especially with online writing.
• Clients may require you to sign away all rights to your work.

Do you want to know more about creating a freelance writing business? Here are some links with more information:

• How To Start Your Freelance Writing Business
• 29 Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs
• The Authors Guild
• Editorial Freelancers Association
• American Society of Journalists and Authors

Photo (c) alicja_sto