A day in the life of a 30-year-old entrepreneur who ferries clients' Peloton bikes, golf bags, and Diaper Genies from the Hamptons to NYC, and who says business is booming during the pandemic

Mark EllwoodAug 2, 2020, 20:03 IST

Cargo for Tote Taxi is eclectic, and there's no such things as a "typical" order for the company.Courtesy Tote Taxi

Danielle Candela founded Tote Taxi three years ago. The company shuttles deliveries back and forth between New York City and the Hamptons.
This year, demand started earlier as the pandemic prompted people headed for the Hamptons months ahead of schedule.
The pandemic has also caused her to expand her brand geographically: She now operates in Greenwich, Connecticut and Westchester, New York.
Business Insider caught up with Candela to find out how the 30-year-old entrepreneur spends her busy days.

Danielle Candela is the owner and operator of Tote Taxi. Part personal assistant, part chauffeur, her three-year-old firm is based in Southampton, New York. It focuses on shuttling deliveries back and forth between the Hamptons and New York City. The 30-year old grew up in the area, but was living and working in Manhattan when she came up with the idea, tired of hauling her bags back and forth when visiting her parents.

Tote Taxi operates year-round, with the bulk of summer business focused on taking items from Manhattan to the Hamptons; in winter, it reverses course and mostly brings items from the Hamptons into the city.

Since many folks moved out East in early spring as a result of COVID-19, those rhythms have been disrupted in 2020 — and as a result, Candela's business has boomed.

Here's what a typical summer weekend day looks like for her, catering to the countrified 1% during the pandemic.

Candela starts her day with a moment of gratitude.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

The first task of the day: building her glam bags.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

By 9 a.m., she's meeting her driver to run down the day's itinerary.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

Cargo for Tote Taxi is eclectic, and there's no such things as a 'typical' order for the company.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

It's been a long week, so Candela opts for a two-hour tennis clinic to decompress.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

Next up: an unexpected bonus workout.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

Candela drove to Watermill to help the driver fit the Peloton into their van. After 50 or so bookings like this so far this season, she's learned it takes two people to move the heavy bike.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

Candela drove to Watermill to help the driver fit the Peloton into their van. After 50 or so bookings like this so far this season, she's learned it takes two people to move the heavy bike.

Later, Candela meets some local friends at her favorite restaurant.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

Most of the afternoon is spent on admin work, especially prepping the next week's schedule. It's a good four hours of logistics.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

The mini-move has been a huge part of her business in 2020.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

This year's 'summer' season started in March.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

Candela predicts the Hamptons frenzy might continue beyond September, too.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

This year, she's expanded her business beyond Long Island as a direct result of the pandemic.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

By 6 p.m., Candela is ready to decompress with a drive-in movie.

Courtesy Tote Taxi

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A day in the life of a 30-year-old entrepreneur who ferries clients' Peloton bikes, golf bags, and Diaper Genies from the Hamptons to NYC, and who says business is booming during the pandemic

Candela starts her day with a moment of gratitude.

The first task of the day: building her glam bags.

By 9 a.m., she's meeting her driver to run down the day's itinerary.

Cargo for Tote Taxi is eclectic, and there's no such things as a 'typical' order for the company.

It's been a long week, so Candela opts for a two-hour tennis clinic to decompress.

Next up: an unexpected bonus workout.

Candela drove to Watermill to help the driver fit the Peloton into their van. After 50 or so bookings like this so far this season, she's learned it takes two people to move the heavy bike.

Later, Candela meets some local friends at her favorite restaurant.

Most of the afternoon is spent on admin work, especially prepping the next week's schedule. It's a good four hours of logistics.

The mini-move has been a huge part of her business in 2020.

This year's 'summer' season started in March.

Candela predicts the Hamptons frenzy might continue beyond September, too.

This year, she's expanded her business beyond Long Island as a direct result of the pandemic.

By 6 p.m., Candela is ready to decompress with a drive-in movie.