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At Your Service

 ABC7 Video Clip

Now, personal concierges can come to the rescue. No longer confined to a hotel, those who hire concierges said it lightens the load of life.

Nancy Sharp is a busy executive running a successful catering and contract dining business. The job is very demanding and doesn't leave time for much else.

"The first thing I realized fast and foremost as a busy professional woman is that I needed help and wasn't afraid to ask for it," said Nancy.

Nancy relies on Brook Bechtold and her Lifestyle Concierge Service to take care of the little things in life that most people struggle to find the time to do.

"We're trying to make other people's lifestyles a little less chaotic," said Brook. "Time is very valuable there are so many things that are going on in people's days today. They want us to come in and give them back time."

From small household chores, like washing up dirty dishes or doing the laundry, more people are discovering that hiring a concierge was one of the best decisions they've ever made.

"You can't find your happiness if you're always knee deep in stress and worry, so it's worth paying for," said Nancy.

Hiring help has been a lifesaver for Chicago realtor LaShawn Brown. She's holding an open house for brokers, but planning the event while dealing the rest of her clients would be nearly impossible without her concierge, Tracy Deis.

"If you're trying to achieve excellence, it's really important to reach out and ask for help," said LaShawn. "I am able to do a lot more and once Tracy is handed the task to do, I can consider it done."

But busy executives and realtors aren't the only ones benefiting from a personal concierge. Tracy's to-do list also includes running errands for senior clients. That means a quick trip to the drug store to fill a prescription and pickup toothpaste. Then, she stops by the grocery store to pick up some staples.

"I am much more comfortable when they're at home and I know exactly where they are," said John Kerr, who hired concierge. In addition to peace of mind, these multi-taskers hold the key to making life more manageable.

"We're working harder, faster and hopefully smarter than we ever have and we need assistance and we need people around us to help empower us to keep up with those schedules," said Nancy.

Most concierges bill by the hour with rates ranging from $25 to 50. In the last few years, the industry has really taken off in Chicago. There are now more than a dozen personal concierge services, helping bring sanity back into their clients' lives.

Information about hiring concierge: