Starting a Mystery Shopping Business

by Lynette Janac and Julie Weis

What started out as an idea, within one month became our reality. One afternoon during our one-hour lunch break, we discussed a recent show we saw on "Oprah" about woman who love their careers.

One career especially stood out to both of us that seemed to be very exciting and fun - Mystery Shopping.

At first we were skeptical. We couldn't believe businesses would actually pay you to shop or dine at their location.

Excited about the idea, we spared no time in researching the industry.

We found that this business is a very valuable tool for other businesses to authentically identify where weaknesses or strengths are in their business so they can make improvements where necessary.

After receiving poor customer service almost everywhere we go, there was no doubt that it was a highly needed business as well.

Within a month, we set up an office right from home. Shortly thereafter, we were posing as customers shopping and dining out in great restaurants and even staying in hotels for a weekend get-a-way, and the best part…we were getting paid for it!

Our clients were so happy with the results our reports would provide them with. It gave them a proactive approach to discovering where they needed to direct their emphasis on for improvements in areas such as customer service, product knowledge, sales techniques, food quality and even employee integrity.

When we told others about our business, they were so curious and interested in how they could get involved.

Our business was even picked up by reporters of a major newspaper (Miami Herald) and local papers too. This exposure not only brought us client leads, but to our surprise, many interested shoppers who wanted to learn how they could get involved in the business.

This is when we got the idea of writing a business manual on "How to Start & Run Your Own Mystery Shopping Company" and helping others discover the exciting career that Mystery Shopping can offer.

We still enjoy running our own mystery shopping business, but we get the added satisfaction of knowing we are helping others across the world start their own home-based mystery shopping company.

Our best advice would be to follow your dreams. Do what you love and the money will follow.

Don't think that just because you enjoy your job, that it is not worthy of pay. Don't be afraid to ask for help. And always network. Tell everyone about your business. You never know who you could be talking to.

Lynette Janac and Julie Weis are experienced Mystery Shoppers, and are the authors of How to Start and Run Your Own Mystery Shopping Business.