Early on, Lisa DeRienzo knew Westchester parents were in desperate need of a service like ASmartNanny.com. “Westchester is a ripe region for such an offering because of its hardworking families,” says DeRienzo. “Many households have two incomes and there will always be a need for childcare.”
DeRienzo first came up with the concept for a site offering babysitter, nanny, and tutoring services in 2013, when she was working as a nanny between teaching jobs. “I started ASmartNanny.com with limited resources and no potential clients,” recalls DeRienzo. “Word of mouth and Facebook have been the most important tools thus far. My nanny base started growing as did new clients — all from social media, family, friends and former colleagues.”
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Local press also played an important role for DeRienzo, who didn’t initially have enough capitol to advertise. “What started [the site] off for me was being found by The Examiner News and being named Business of the Week. I got a lot of exposure and many families and nannies from that,” says DeRienzo. “The first year [2013] was tough. In 2015, I was voted ‘Best Local Website’ by Westchester Magazine readers, which not only helped my business expand but gave me such a sense of pride because I created my website myself.”
The site itself proved to be a hit, and the business has been steadily growing since its inception three years ago. Much of the traffic is based upon one of ASmartNanny’s innovative features.
“The website attracts a great deal of traffic because of our most popular service: babysitting memberships,” explains DeRienzo. “Like a gym, families can sign up for a month-to-month, semi-annual or annual membership which allows them to book an unlimited amount of as-needed babysitters. All of our sitters are local, college-educated drivers with clean backgrounds. Members can book a sitter online via the “Book A Sitter” page on our website, and even request their favorite sitters.”
According to DiRienzo, the site has added new customers each week since inception and is still operated only be DiRienzo herself. “Parents pay me a one-time referral fee if they need a nanny—$1,000 for part-time or $1800 for full-time—and they pay their nannies competitively: either a set weekly salary or hourly; $20 per hour typically,” she explains. “I don’t consider national babysitting sites a threat because ASmartNanny.com only provides the best childcare possible. Most families that sign up ASmartNanny.com do so after having no luck with national sites. I have heard so many horror stories and have had only positive feedback about the childcare providers that I’ve referred.”
DeRienzo’s site just added the option to purchase gift certificates, which can be printed out or sent electronically to family and friends. With so much innovation and a broadening customer base, DeRienzo sees a bright future for the site, stating that she sees “ASmartNanny.com becoming a household name with Westchester families.”
