Tell me a bit about your business
I'm an all-inclusive service. I run errands, dog walk, do property management but really it’s whatever someone needs. I feel my services would be great for the busy mom, they could use help keeping things organized, grocery shopping and house chores. There are also a lot of small businesses that can’t afford a permanent employee, so that’s where I can come in and help with any tasks, filing, picking up office supplies or lunch for a meeting.
For vacation rentals, I’ll do gift baskets, handle the logistics of the property, managing the cleaning people, landscapers, etc. I can also do projects that need to be done, such as gardening.
Think of it this way...I am the person you'd hire for a few hours a week to do the things that you haven’t had a chance to do.
How did you get into this type of business?
When I was in college I posted an ad to be a pet sitter and that’s how it all started. The gentleman that hired me to watch his dog also needed help around the house and with his business so I became his personal assistant for four years while in college.
I did everything and was practically a live-in personal assistant.
Are you from St. Augustine?
No, I moved here to go to Flagler College. I grew up in Cape Cod in a very small close-knit community. I went to a charter school there and had a lot of my college credits completed so when I came to Flagler I was able to graduate in 3 1/2 years.
What did you do after you graduated?
I went straight into corporate and after a couple of years, I realized it wasn’t for me. I loved the work but didn’t like sitting in an office 9-5. That’s when I decided to give my own business a go, this was in October.
How did you come up with the business name The Southern Gecko?
I came up with the name one day driving my jeep which is named Gecko. I also have a gecko as a pet and five snakes as well. We are a reptile family so I thought it was fitting.
How’s it going?
It’s been slowly growing. There are weeks that my schedule is full and weeks where I am not, so I’m trying to find that balance.
What industries do your services work well in?
Really any industry works. I’ve been working in the Wedding and Real Estate industries. Helping with any tasks needed by the wedding planner, photographer, etc. Realtors are really busy so I help to put signs up, marketing and paperwork.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I like traveling and experiencing new things. One of my favorite things to do is to go off-roading. We go to Tennessee, there are a lot of off-roading parks there.
What's your plan for the business?
I’m hoping to grow enough to have a couple of employees, this will allow us all to back each other up so we can all experience a balance with life and work.
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