Kimma’s Helping Hands is one of the latest local businesses to join Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce since the Chamber started having ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Business owner Kim Peaslee started her errand-running business in November and, on March 4, brought her first client, Connie Manter, to the ribbon-cutting.

Besides running errands, Peaslee brings clients to appointments, brings pets to the veterinarian and picks up medication, among many other services. When she started thinking about doing this, she asked people if there was a need or if it would be useful. As more and more encouraged her to go for it, she started getting the word out, printed some business cards and the rest is history. She said due to the nature of her business, even she cannot be sure she has thought of everything.

“Whatever people need, I've been doing a lot of cleaning for people while I'm there. So, people have hired me just to come and clean. With COVID going on, a lot of people don't want to go anywhere, they don't want to go to the grocery stores. I'm trying to do two trips a week out of town, so if people need things away from here, I can do that.”

Peaslee said she does not yet have a set schedule for going out of town since there is not a huge demand for it. However, she said she has been thinking about Tuesdays and setting a price for out of town trips. Meeting in-person with clients or potential clients has been somewhat of an issue: Some people are just too nervous to get too close to anyone right now, said Peaslee.

“So, I'm trying to stay away from physically taking people places for now … I've had a couple of clients who've called me and I've gone to meet them. I do that first, a meet and greet, so I can go sit down with them at no charge just to see what they're looking for and if what I do is going to suit their needs.”

Peaslee said many of the older people she works with love her service and the flexibility she maintains especially with family members nervous having their loved ones interacting with someone new. “I'm figuring it out as I'm going. It's still very new … The older folks are loving it, but people are scared, too, and I get it, so I don't try to push anybody into anything. I'm here. When things settle down and we're feeling more comfortable and you can use me, great!