Life’s questions answered

Banking on the appeal of expert opinions, a new business in Westchester County is hoping to be your one-stop shop for answers to all maddening problems.

The basement leaks, your son”™s guitar teacher moved away, your lower back is acting up, the dog is eating the furniture, or you need to refinance a mortgage.

Zoomnia.com co-founder Steven Wolk says his Web site can answer all these questions and more by sending the questions to prescreened local businesses to answer them.

“The businesses answer customer questions, offer helpful advice, and provide personal service,” he said. “This is all done through the Zoomnia online system so customers remain anonymous.”

The process works like this: Zoomnia users select the type of specialist they are seeking, enter their ZIP code and then the question. A business within the area responds to the question, usually within 24 hours, said Wolk. Customers read the responses and contact the businesses if they would like more information or help.

The answers to the questions are posted on an online community forum for others who may have a similar questions.

Wolk said all questions posed are anonymous; users”™ information is not given out unless they choose to.

Wolk said the idea for Zoomnia came when he was discussing with his business partner Dave Goldberg where to find adequate housing for an elderly relative who had special needs.

“We thought, if people had a way of asking questions, and business could answer them and in turn advertise their services, than it”™s a win-win situation,” he said.

Wolk believes that today”™s consumers want to use the Internet to find quality local businesses and valuable information, but that most Web sites offer little more than online Yellow Pages or thousands of Web links.

“This led to the creation of Zoomnia, supporting people and their busy lifestyles by taking their most important questions and providing customized answers from quality local businesses,” he said.

If a business decides to respond to a question, it can pay a $2 fee to reply and potentially add a new customer, said Wolk.

Zoomnia also allows businesses to “sponsor” certain replies in a related field, which acts like a paid advertisement. Wolk cited the example of a body shop answering a common insurance-related query.

Wolk said Zoomnia has an extensive vetting process for potential businesses. The company checks court documents and makes sure the business has all the proper licenses in its related field.

He said Zoomnia hopes to expand from Westchester to include businesses in New York City and then “spread south and west from there.”

The company has business offices in Fairfield, Conn., Chappaqua and White Plains.