The PA of Today

Concierge. Hear the word and we think of an immaculately uniformed employee behind the mahogany desk of a five-star hotel. But these days, a concierge might just as easily be the person standing behind you in the line-up at Costco.

Yes, downtown luxe has gone suburban with the rapid rise of concierge services in the Vancouver area. Mary Ann Westendorf is the owner of The Bizzy Butler, whose personal assistant services are designed to make it easier for clients to get some ‘quality time’ back in their life. “They just can’t do it all themselves any more,” she said. “People are just so grateful to have our help.”

The Bizzy Butler has been asked to cater a party on a 40-ft. yacht, deliver ice cream bars to a surgical patient, stand in line at a downtown gallery to purchase an art piece for a New York client, spring clean a home, design custom pillows for a master bedroom, and organize garages. As long as the task is legal, ethical and within the team’s capabilities, they’ll take it on, at a cost of $30 to $35 per hour.

Westendorf has advice for those considering a concierge: make sure they are insured, have a business presence (i.e. an address, website, photo of who will be coming to your home) and offer references, which you should check. She has also just launched the Canadian Concierge Directory, which is a growing list of personal assistants across the country.

Concierge gift certificates are available as well, and we can’t imagine a Savvy Mom who wouldn’t be grateful for an extra pair of hands. Hmmm…take back the videos, pick up the dog license, grab a present for the young friend’s birthday party and do the grocery shop on the way home? Yes, please.

We all know that a woman’s work is never done. But no one said it couldn’t be shared. 

The Bizzy Butler
www.bizzybutler.com
(604) 466-9008