“The Artful Concierge handles the things you don't have time to do, don't want to do, or simply can't do — so you can finally get life done.” — Alicia Howington Ziegler
We continue our Chicago entrepreneur series with a conversation with Alicia Ziegler on her launch of The Artful Concierge. Remembering that her mother led the charge for women in advertising nationwide, we know that Ziegler has an innovative path ahead as well. We asked her to tell us about it below.
CCM: Tell us about The Artful Concierge, what was the need you observed? Was there an ah-ha moment that told you that you had the skills to ease anxieties and make people's lives better?
AZ: The Artful Concierge helps people handle the details of their lives — both the everyday and the bigger projects — so things actually get done instead of endlessly postponed. It's practical, personal help for people with full lives who don't want to spend their time managing logistics.
The need became obvious to me long before I started the business. I saw it in friends, colleagues, and family members — capable, independent people with full lives — who didn't always realize help was an option, or assumed it was meant for someone else. In reality, everyone needs support at different times; it's simply a matter of recognizing (and accepting) when it's needed and knowing where to find it.
Careers, families and children, homes, social lives, aging parents, moves, travel, projects — the list just kept growing, while time and resources didn't — especially as lives became more complex and demanding.
I see it clearly with friends my age, who want to enjoy this stage of life without spending their time managing homes, logistics, and long to-do lists. I see it just as clearly with my own adult daughters, Lexie and Liza. They're deeply engaged in their careers, and like so many people their age, their free time gets swallowed by chores, errands, and unfinished projects.
The ah-ha wasn't dramatic — it was obvious. I've always been the person people call when things feel overwhelming. I calm situations down, make a plan, and follow it through. At some point, I realized that wasn't just a personality trait — it was a skill set. And it turns out that skill set can genuinely make people's lives a whole lot better and much more fun!
That's how The Artful Concierge was born.
CCM: You know all things Chicago having grown up here, graduated from Northwestern University and have been a highly respected marketing director across several industries. How have you crafted your new business to meeting the particular needs of Chicagoans?
AZ: People here are sophisticated, practical, and busy — and they value trust and relationships. They don't want flash: they want things handled and handled well, and they want to have fun. I designed The Artful Concierge around that mindset: discreet, efficient, warm, highly capable, and fun. I have a way of making even the most dreadful projects fun.
I know this city inside and out. The people I work with juggle demanding careers, family obligations, aging parents, second homes, and full social calendars. They want someone they trust to step in, take things off their plates, and follow through. That's exactly how The Artful Concierge works.
CCM: Your mother, Marion Howington was a pioneering advertising executive at J. Walter Thompson, tell us what she would encourage you to do as you develop your new business.
AZ: My mother would have been my greatest cheerleader. She would have rallied the troops and picked up the phone to call everyone she knew to tell them about The Artful Concierge. She was amazing that way! And yes — I probably would have had more business than I could handle on day one.
Marion's advice was always fantastic. She would tell me to trust my instincts, never underestimate the power of relationships, and approach everything with great style and flair. She believed deeply in integrity, clarity, and elegance — and that sensibility shows up in everything I do.
She'd also remind me that great client service is about understanding what people truly need, communicating clearly, and always delivering more than promised. Attention to detail and going the extra mile are essential. And — very importantly — she'd insist that it be done with great style and elegance. She'd also be quick to say that any consumer product had better solve a real problem and deliver on a clear promise — in this case, order and organization where there was once chaos, which translates to peace of mind and a life that actually feels easier and more enjoyable. And she'd absolutely tell me to have fun every day — or skip it altogether.
CCM: What are the services that you offer to make a person's life less stressful and more joyful?
AZ: I step in and take care of the things that keep people tied up in details or perpetually behind. That can mean getting a household organized, helping with a move or downsizing, planning a trip, or managing a project that's been lingering far too long. Sometimes it's one focused project; other times it's ongoing support that keeps everything moving along. Clients don't have to worry about the details because they know someone else is handling them — and that's where the joy comes in.
CCM: How do you begin your work with a client? What are the main challenges that you are able to meet?
AZ: It always starts with a conversation. I want to understand how someone lives, what's weighing them down, and where things feel stuck. Most clients come to me to get going; getting unstuck and getting things finished follow naturally. Sometimes, that means being practical and hands-on; sometimes it means being the person who says, "you've got this — let's start here."
Because people often come to me feeling overwhelmed, it's usually best to start in bite-size pieces. Breaking things down makes the work feel manageable instead of daunting. Quite often, those bite-size pieces naturally evolve into new but related projects.
The biggest challenge is often bandwidth. People are overwhelmed, not incapable. Once they realize they don't have to do everything themselves, the shift is immediate — and meaningful.
CCM: What gives you joy as you develop your business?
AZ: Watching someone exhale — and then light up with a big smile — that's the best compliment of all. When a client says, "I could never have done this without you. Thank you," or "I didn't even realize how badly I needed this," I know I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. When that leads to more work or referrals, it says everything.
CCM: How would you describe a typical client and their needs?
AZ: My clients are accomplished, engaged, and stretched thin. They care deeply about their homes, families, work, and social lives — but they don't want to spend their time managing logistics or chasing details.
They're looking for a trusted partner: someone proactive, creative, capable, and discreet who can step in, understand an assignment quickly, and handle it without fanfare or fuss. What matters most to them is knowing things are being taken care of — thoughtfully and reliably — so they can focus on the parts of life that matter most.
CCM: What are the signs that we should pay attention to that tell us we need an artful concierge?
AZ: If you keep catching yourself thinking, "Can someone just handle this?" — that's the moment The Artful Concierge makes sense.
Sometimes it's about talking something through and putting a smart plan in place — whether that's organizing day-to-day life, scheduling appointments, organizing bills and setting up payments, or deciding how to approach a long-delayed project. Other times, it's about another pair of hands — someone capable and discreet who can step in and get things done.
And often, it's both.
The Artful Concierge is for people who want real progress — whether that means organizing and decluttering, clearing out a garage or storage space, preparing for a move or downsizing, planning travel, or finally getting projects off their plate — with an approach that's thoughtful, flexible, and effective.
CCM: How do you see your business growing?
AZ: By staying focused on doing excellent work and letting the business grow from there. I want The Artful Concierge to grow the old-fashioned way — through long-term client relationships, repeat projects, referrals, and word of mouth. Not by trying to be everywhere or do everything at once. That's very intentional.
Right now, I'm doing the work myself, and that matters to me — and to my clients. I'm building something personal and dependable, where people know exactly what they're getting and can count on consistent, thoughtful results. When clients come back with more projects or recommend me within their own trusted circles, I know I'm on the right track.
I'm not in a rush to scale. I'll grow when it makes sense — carefully and without losing what makes the work personal. Staying small feels right for now.
CCM: Is this a growing industry across the country?
AZ: Absolutely. As lives become more complex and time more precious, concierge and lifestyle services are growing across the country. People aren't looking for more apps or automation — they want real help from someone they trust.
That's where The Artful Concierge comes in. We get the work done — the things on life's to-do list that keep everything running smoothly.
CCM: What do clients misunderstand about hiring a personal concierge?
AZ: Many people assume hiring a concierge is indulgent or only for special occasions. In reality, most clients come to me because they're overwhelmed by very practical, everyday things — not because they want something fancy.
They're often surprised by how much peace of mind comes from having someone they trust step in, make sense of things, and get them handled. It's not about luxury — it's about getting help with the things that need to be done.
CCM: What kinds of projects do clients most underestimate?
AZ: Decluttering and organizing projects are almost always underestimated — not because they're complicated, but because they take time, focus, and steady decision-making. The same is true for things like cleaning out a garage or storage space, downsizing, or preparing for a move.
People tend to think these projects will be quick once they "get to them," but they rarely are. More often than not, these are projects that have been put off for years and will take time to unravel and organize. What makes the biggest difference is having someone who can keep things moving, make decisions with them, and see the project through to the end. These are also the projects that almost always lead to another related project once the initial work is done.
CCM: How does your professional background influence the way you work with clients today?
AZ: My professional background taught me how to assess situations quickly, prioritize what actually matters, and follow things through to completion. I'm used to working with complexity, competing demands, and very little margin for error.
That experience shapes how I work with clients. I don't just jump in and start doing — I help identify what's most important, what can wait, and how to move things forward in a way that's realistic and efficient. Clients value that combination of judgment and execution because it means things get handled thoughtfully and properly.
The greatest benefit of The Artful Concierge is peace of mind — and bringing order to the chaos of daily life.
To contact The Artful Concierge: alicia@artfulconcierge.com or 312-286-1330