Young business women tap growing market

SASKATOON – As everyday lives become busier and busier more people are turning to outside help to get on top of their chores.

Whether it’s running errands, grocery shopping or washing the car, young Saskatoon women are tapping into these markets with plenty of success.

Kyla Kidd has just started her own business called “The Grocery Cart,” taking care of other people’s grocery shopping.

“It shocked me, I was genuinely shocked that so many people require this service and nothing has been done so far in Saskatoon so I’m doing what I can to help people,” said Kidd.

“I completely understand how difficult it can be with a disability, impairment or just to be too busy as a single parent,” she added.

Her services will set you back 15 per cent of the total shopping bill.

As people’s lives fill to the brim, it seems more are willing to pay to free up some time.

Ashton Prescott runs other people’s errands with her new business, At Your Service Concierge, charging $45 per hour.

“I’ve done some home organizing projects, just little things like groceries, dry cleaning, gifts for other people,” said Prescott.

At Your Service Concierge customer vary, according to Prescott.

“Lots of bachelors that don’t want to do those types of things and busy working parents and kind of seniors, or people with limited mobility,” she explained.

Then there’s Kristy Lang’s car detailing business which turned mobile last year.

“It was crazy I was working from six in the morning till nine at night in September, I knew it was going to be popular but I didn’t think it was going to be this popular,” said Lang.

“We go straight on site, doesn’t matter who you are or what you drive we’ll come right to you,” she added.

The Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan says it’s seeing more and more young women becoming entrepreneurs.

“There’s a lot of young women that are looking at starting their own business they’re seeing it more as an opportunity as the province continues to grow there’s lots of opportunity for young women to get into business, I think they’re more exposed to the fact that they can do that through high school and university programs,” said CEO Laura Small.

A recent Bank of Montreal report reveals almost half of Canadian post-secondary students see themselves starting their own business after graduating.

According to Statistics Canada, 130,000 new small businesses across the country are started with over 40 per cent of all Canadians working for a business with fewer than 100 employees.