by Joel Addington
Contributing Writer
Jay Morris and Jessica Warren are both members of a generation affectionately known as the ‘80s babies — they prize success and wealth, their free time and, many might say, demand instant gratification.
Quite fitting then that the pair of 20-something college graduates helps to provide that lifestyle to other young professionals through their small business, East Coast Concierge Inc., currently operating at the Metropolitan Lofts apartments in Downtown.
Warren, 25, and Morris, 26, began East Coast Concierge in August 2006 as partners in their first business venture.
“We both were tired of the corporate world and wanted to own a business,” said Morris. “So we started thinking of business ideas that appealed to us and realized that Jacksonville would be the perfect place to start a concierge business due to its growing number of population, businesses and residential communities.”
In addition to their business partnership, Warren and Morris are also a couple, although they said dating hasn’t affected their business focus.
“We just can’t break up,” joked Warren. “When you go into a partnership like this, it has to be with the right person.
“He’s all about the business, and I guess I’m more of a realist, so it’s a good balance,” she added. “He’s hands in the air, and I’m feet on the ground.”
As for Morris, he said being in any business relationship is all about trust, and “I can’t trust anyone more than her.”
Warren, a Southside resident, came to the area from Monticello, Fla. near Tallahassee to study advertising at the University of North Florida two years ago. Morris arrived about the same time to attend Flagler College and study business administration.
“I’ve been in customer services all my life,” said Warren. “My first instinct is to aid others in any way possible.”
She added the best part about running her business is, “at the end of every day, I have made a positive impact on someone’s life.”
That impact may be made through picking up or delivering dry cleaning, arranging dinner reservations, mailing a package, calling a taxi or arranging to have a car detailed and sometimes much more.
“Two weeks ago, one of our residents was ill and in the hospital and asked us if we could take care of her dog for a day,” said Morris. “She didn’t have anybody else who could do it. It’s not normally something we’d do, but we were there for her with whatever she needed.”
Morris, who also calls the Southside home, said he enjoys the daily interaction with residents at Metropolitan Lofts, located on the corner of Church and Pearl streets and home to about 100 mostly young and single residents who work in Downtown jobs ranging from chefs, reporters and even Jaguars players.
But even with young clientele, Morris’ and Warren’s youth can sometimes throw people, they said.
“The hardest part is having people realize that my mind set is far beyond my years,” said Morris, who hails from Connecticut.
East Coast Concierge has three other workers, all in their early- to mid-20s, to provide services at the trendy New York-style apartments.
“The Metropolitan Lofts are a key example of why we created East Coast Concierge,” said Morris. “The building caters to their residents’ needs and (owners) wanted to provide residents’ with a go-to person who can not only tell them where to find the best steak in town but also can arrange their car to be detailed on site.”
How do they find the best steak in town or know what vendors to use for their services?
“We eat out a lot,” said Warren. “It’s a lot of networking. We went to a restaurant last night, and it was a nice place, but we asked what is special for our residents? Can they offer free drinks or a coupon or something to make it worth going to?”
Warren and Morris said that Berkman Plaza is the only Downtown residence that offers a comparable concierge service, although they expect the business to grow as more people move into the urban core.
“We feel that with the Jacksonville market growing, businesses and residential communities will be searching for new ways to retain their employees or residents, and what better way to do that than to give them a personal concierge?”
So what do the residents think?
“They can’t believe they get these services as a part of their rent,” said Morris.
The services that East Coast Concierge provides at no cost include package receipt and delivery, dry cleaning pick up and delivery, building amenity arrangements, guest greeting services, maintenance requests, taxi or rental car arrangements, and meal or outing reservations and appointments.
The company also will arrange for another businesses to provide auto detailing, grocery delivery, pet care, cleaning, shopping or personal meal plans.
“Trying to maintain your personal life while working can be taxing,” said Morris. “We understand how full life can be and offer our personal services so that residents can finally spend some time doing the things they love.”