Two previously unemployed kindergarten teachers have bitten the bullet and started an ‘errand’ business in the Algarve.
Called ‘Recados & Sorrisos’, it offers simple social services like accompanying elderly people to the doctors, or going shopping for groceries.
Other offers of help include taking care of children, providing home support, or dealing with bureaucratic issues. The idea is that the list of services will grow.
Marisa Neves, 37, and Anabela Palma, 47, told Lusa news agency that they met a couple of years ago while working with children. After unsuccessful attempts to work in different sectors, as well as abroad, the two friends took the plunge and decided to launch their own business.
Anabela explained their idea came when they heard of similar projects that had been successfully launched in other parts of the country, though none as yet seem to have started up in the Algarve.
The women added that the name of their company, literally translated as ‘Errands and Smiles’, stresses the practical nature of the project as well as showing the goal to help people overcome difficulties and start enjoying life.
As it is just at the beginning, the company has been advertising tentatively on social networks and elsewhere, and the former teachers admit interest thus far has been less than they expected.
Still, they hope the company just needs a couple of positive reviews to start forging ahead and making a name for itself.
To learn more about ‘Recados & Sorrisos”, look for its Facebook page under the same name.
