From a couple of employees running deliveries and errands around Perham, to nearly 100 independent contractors, Ghost Runner has grown into a year round service business, covering a wide area.
In three short years, Terrie Andersons Ghost Runner has become a multi-faceted business. In addition to its shopping and delivery service, Ghost Runner provides cleaning, handyman, lawn maintenance, painting, and snow removal.
Just about anything a customer needs done, Ghost Runner can provide the service, said Anderson.
This spring, the newest addition to the Ghost Runner line-up is a taxi service. Aimed primarily at supper clubs and restaurants, Ghost Taxi will offer rides home until 2 a.m. Daytime service will be offered as well.
Most of Ghost Runners business is concentrated in a three county area, Otter Tail, Becker and Wadena, but she also has customers in the Fargo-Moorhead area and even Thief River Falls.
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Nobody thought it would go much further than the courier-delivery service, said Anderson, an entrepreneur who moved to Rush Lake after 26 years as a seasonal visitor to the area. Andersons varied business and professional background included a tenure in the purchasing department at Steiger Tractor; administrative assistant at a paving company; an assistant at an attorneys office; and eight years in child support enforcement in North Dakota.
While researching on the internet, Anderson came across the business concept.
I felt these services were something I would have used as a younger working mother, said Anderson. Having someone pick up and deliver groceries, or dry cleaning, or a service that could provide a cleaner as well as someone to mow the lawn a one stop shop.
Retirees especially benefit from such a multi-faceted service, because many dont want to continually ask relatives or neighbors for help. Its important to note that services like those provided by Ghost Runner can be offered at little or no charge, if the disabled or elderly customer qualify for medical assistance, said Anderson.
Whether retired, or a family with two careers and little extra time; Anderson targets her services to any age.
A free gift with every service...the gift of time, is the slogan Ghost Runner employs in its marketing.
Ghost Runner employs two full time office assistants, as well as about 22 contractors in the winter and another 40 to 50 in the summer.
Several resorts in the area are contracting with Ghost Runner for cleaning crews, which are comprised most of students from the Vergas, Perham, Battle Lake, Ottertail, Dent and New York Mills areas.
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It was difficult starting a business from the ground up, especially with no financial backing, said Anderson, but the business has experienced fantastic, unexpected growth.
Ghost Runner is located at 235 West Main in Perham in the mini-mall which houses Bevs Book Nook, Hula Beads, Lakes Family Eyecare and Lakes 99.5.
