Your little secret will be safe with her

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/04/2021 (798 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Growing up in Crescentwood, Sheila Farago learned many business secrets from her entrepreneurial father.

Now, as owner of My Little Secret, the mother of three has used her sales background to create a unique home-based business “designed to help people get things done.” She has her own secret to success that begin with imagining “a conversation between two people; one asking the other how she got everything done and the other replying, that’s my little secret.”

And a business was born.

Sheila’s original intention was to focus on seniors and provide a concierge service enabling elderly clients to remain in their own homes as long as possible. Once her secret was out, though, her business grew to include people from all walks of life.

The pandemic reinforced Sheila’s passion for helping those unable to do their own shopping or errands. Likewise, her repeat customers from seven years in operation have an increased appreciation for her ability to wait in long lineups. Following strict COVID protocols, she has earned the trust of clients with limited mobility and no nearby family who need help with banking, putting groceries away, meal prep or trips to the dry cleaners. 

Families in faraway places often call Sheila to make gift baskets of local products for their elderly relatives.

Sheila’s goal of helping people feel successful comes in many forms. The most common secret Sheila hears is that “folks don’t want their friends or relatives to know they don’t have time to shop for gifts.”

As a personal shopper, Sheila has helped many a husband find just the right anniversary gift for his wife. The same goes for business owners or bosses who prefer to have Sheila shop, decorate and work with caterers to organize appreciation days so they too can enjoy their events with employees or customers. Out-of-town clients will hire Sheila to help them get their favourite products from companies that do not ship across borders.

One of Sheila’s heartstring recollections from My Little Secret is of a very elderly woman who was so relieved she had someone to take her taxes in for her. It reminded Sheila that what seems like a little thing can make a huge difference to someone.

Sheila believes in giving back to the community and each year donates time and supplies to wrap holiday gifts for residents in personal care homes. From her observations, Shelia’s advice is that “it’s OK to delegate.”

Sheila can be reached at 204-992-9421 or at sheila@mylittlesecret.ca 

Heather Emberley is a community correspondent for Crescentwood. Email her at heather.emberley@gmail.com if you have a story suggestion.