The Executive Concierge founder Stacey McDonell embodies the adage, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”
In addition to launching the business in early 2023, McDonell has gotten married, worked through some personal health issues and still manages time for family and volunteering.
McDonell, who was at that time working in the Manitowoc mayor’s office, launched The Executive Concierge at the urging of a friend.
The push was just what she needed.
“I still have a great relationship with Mayor (Justin) Nickels. It was harder to leave him than it was to leave the mayor’s office,” McDonell says.
She saw firsthand some of the challenges businesses in the community faced and how hard it was for the city to hire for some professional positions. Her idea was that she could provide executive services such as administrative assistance, business travel planning and marketing.
Born and raised in Manitowoc and with a work history that includes time with the Chamber of Manitowoc County, McDonell has many connections in the community. She put the word out that she was starting the business and soon realized there was more demand than she could meet on her own.
McDonell added staff and now offers virtual executive level services to large and small businesses: accounting, human resources, graphic design, corporate event planning, travel planning, administrative assistance and marketing.
The business offers monthly packages of 20, 30 or 40 hours a month, which is about 5 to 10 hours per week.
There are large and small business clients, nonprofits, individuals and health care facilities among her customers. The geographic reach has grown into the state, and McDonell thinks it could serve clients in the greater Midwest region.
McDonell says the support of her husband, Christopher, was important to the business’ success. She credits Progress Lakeshore for helping launch the enterprise.
“Be invested in your chamber; be invested in your community,” McDonell advises. “Carve out time to do volunteer work. You have to be out there in more ways than just as a businessperson; you have to give back in other ways.”
