Woman ties up loose ends despite job loss, bad economy

Date: 3/10/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WESTFIELD -- Westfield resident Amanda Lazur had a problem: she was let go from her job as associate director for development at the YMCA in Becket due to budget cutbacks last December and had no alternative means of income.

She spent the next month filing countless job applications before deciding to take her financial future into her own hands. In January, Lazur founded Loose Ends Errand Service, a business designed to aid those unable to complete daily tasks such as grocery shopping, administrative work or car rides to appointments.

I was unemployed and freaking out cause we [my fianc and I] just bought a house last year [and we have a mortgage to pay], Lazur explained during an interview with Reminder Publications. If I wasn t receiving unemployment, I wouldn t have been able to make ends meet.

I was going crazy doing nothing, she continued. I applied for [jobs for] one month and got one interview. Right now it s so hard to find employment [but I knew] I always wanted to start my own business.

Lazur explained that so far business has been slow but she believes that like any business she will gain more customers over time.

When asked if she believed people can afford an errand service during these economic times, Lazur said, I came to the realization that the people who would use the service are people who are not too heavily affected by this economy right now.

She added that she is saving working professionals or new mothers gas money and time they could otherwise spend with their families and loved ones.

Diane Jakobowski explained that she has hired Lazur as a chauffer because she is visually impaired and unable to drive.

It s [the service] ideal [and] prices are reasonable, she said. There are people out there even in my situation who can t drive or don t have a car [so] this is an ideal [solution for them].

Rachel Hodak agreed, adding that she would rather save the gas in her gas-guzzling SUV and take some time to make dinner or relax.

I m gonna pay the same amount of money [for what I need at the store] anyway " I might as well [hire Loose Ends Errand Service and] save [myself] the time, she said.

First time customers receive an introductory rate of $15 per hour. Personal services cost $20 per hour and corporate services run $25 per hour. Services include personal errands, bill paying, housesitting, airport transfers, event planning, courier delivery service and more.

For more information about Loose Ends Errand Service, visit http://looseends.webs.com or e-mail Lazur at LooseEndsServices@gmail.com.