CARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM) -
A Carlisle man started his own business by renting himself out as a personal delivery service. He keeps costs down, and his heart rate up, by using his fleet of bicycles.
"I deliver almost anything. I mean, I deliver anything from tube socks to groceries to a bag of nails from Lowe's," said Smith.
He runs a personal delivery service on wheels -- bringing you what you want, or need, when you can't get it yourself.
Smith calls his business "Everyone Wants Something," a service catering to busy lifestyles and demanding work schedules. It is an enterprise inspired a few years ago by his own frustration at not being able to get away from his bicycle shop to run errands.
"I figured, you know, that would be a good business. I mulled it over and mulled it over and I didn't do it. And eventually, I said, 'I'm going to do it.'"
Smith limits his deliveries to Carlisle but has
pedaled a few miles outside the borough for deliveries. And he
delivers year round: he has special tires for snow, unless it's too
deep.
Clients say the five dollar delivery fee is worth the convenience.
Kris Strickland is a roofer and a client of Smith's.
"It saves us big time. Keeps us on the roof and don't have to go nowhere. And keeps us hydrated," he said.
Plus, Smith said he enjoys his job.
"It is fun because I can go and do what I want. I mean, I get a phone call. I go. I do my job. I give you your food. You're happy."
But, with the fun, comes focus.
"Riding on the road is dangerous," Smith said. "You have to be aware of what's going on. I'm constantly looking to the right, to the left, behind me."
Smith does that no matter what bicycle he's riding -- and he has several.
Depending on the nature of the delivery, Smith might use one of several bikes in his fleet. Some allow for bigger orders, some double as rolling billboards for local businesses and a rickshaw-style taxi service is also available for special occasions.
For more information visit www.everyonewantssomething.com.
