Business At A Glance
Startup Costs: $10,000 – $50,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Online Operation? No
Business Overview
Kids these days have schedules just about as hectic as theirparents–school, soccer practice, Little League, ballet lessons,orthodontist appointments, after-school care–it can leave workingparents with no time to work in between all these drop-off and pick-upassignments. But if you’re a kid-lover who likes to be on the go, youcan save the day with a kids’ taxi service. You’ll transport Babs andJunior to wherever they need to be, leaving parents free to win thebread. With nearly 16 million families with children under age 18 andboth parents in the workforce, this is a business with plenty ofpotential.
The advantages to the kids’ taxi service are that you’llforge relationships with the kids you drive on a routine basis, and youget the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping your clients’ lives runmore smoothly. You’ll need nerves of steel; you can’t be distracted bygiggling or minor wars in the back of the van or by imminent carsickness up front. At the same time you’ll need to love kids andunderstand their need to be treated as people rather than parcels.You’ll also need a good sense of logistics to figure out how to get twodifferent passengers to opposite ends of town for appointments at thesame time.
The Market
Your clients will be the working parents in your area, plus asmattering of stay-at-home moms who don’t drive or have access to acar. Introduce yourself and leave fliers at day-care and after-schoolcenters, community centers, public libraries, pediatric and orthodonticoffices, grade-school offices, and kid-oriented facilities like dance,gymnastics and karate studios. Get your company written up in localpublications and run ads in your local newspaper. Donate one free monthof service to a charity auction–this is terrific publicity.
Needed Equipment
You’ll need a reliable van with seating for six or more, adequateinsurance, and a cellular phone to keep mom and dad apprised of trafficor other scheduling delays or changes. You should also be certified inpediatric first aid and CPR.