Personal Assistance Business Shows They Do Not Just Cater to Celebs

Run Around Betties, a company based in Sherman Oaks that offers convenient affordable personal assistance for the home and office, just surpassed its two-year anniversary this fall.

President and founder Michelle McCloskey says overwhelmed professionals or busy entrepreneurs can book their "Betty" with a phone call or few keystrokes online via www.runaroundbetties.com.

Launched in 2011, the company recently expanded their services to the Orange County area with hopes of growing even further down the coast in the coming months.

McCloskey says they have plenty of clients in the Sherman Oaks and Studio City area, while roughly 80 percent of its clientele comes from Beverly Hills, Westwood, Century City, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and throughout the Westside.

"Run Around Betties makes finding a personal assistant and having a personal assistant as easy, affordable, and convenient as possible," said  Founder Michelle McCloskey. "No matter what the task is, from having simple errands run or to finding an administrative superstar, Run Around Betties has a Betty who can do the job."

Starting at $25 an hour, Run Around Betties offers a fresh take on finding and having your own assistant and it does not just assign Betties based on availability or proximity. She says Betties are booked based on each client's specific needs and requirements – whether it is knowing certain software or equipment, loving a work environment supervised by a client's bull mastiff, or knowing the best way to fold fitted sheets so they stack in a reorganized linen closet.

"We’re not a TaskRabbit," McCloskey tells Patch. "It’s a bit more personalized. I act more like a matchmaker for the clients. They call me and most are small business owners in need an assistant who can cross over home, office and life."

She adds they have about 50 Betties (and Bob's) who service multiple clients throughout L.A., and McCloskey interviews and screens each one before hiring.

For more information about Run Around Betties, visit its website.