WAHM > Stay at Home Mom Work Ideas > Selling a Service > Arty Party Service Business

Start an Arty Party Service

What you will be doing.  Kids love to have fun. At a party, they are easily bored. Arts and crafts get them motivated and pass the time during a birthday party. You would be a parent’s dream because it is your job to occupy the kids with awe –inspiring stuff. A party service gives parent’s less to worry about on party day.

How to start.  How will you run your business? The best place to house your supplies may be a car or large movable containers that are easy to load. This is a mobile business. You’ll be traveling from venue to venue dazzling kids with balloon animals, paintings, origami, and the like.

This business can niche into private parties or events at schools, daycare centers, mall openings, and community centers. Anywhere someone wants to hold a party for a kid is your type of party. Come up with a name that is catchy but not just like all of the others. Remember that for larger jobs, more staff may be needed.

Starting costs. The cost of this business depends on you. Supplies will seem pricey because you’ll be keeping inventory. Small parties use less supplies but the major task will be planning for jobs where the number of participants is unknown, like a mall or a community event.

The cost also differs with the type of arts and crafts you plan to offer. Balloon work requires a helium tank that you own or can rent at a moment’s notice. Elaborate crafts are more expensive. Look to begin with $2,000 at least. Don’t forget the workstation—computer, printer, fax, and software.

Skills needed.  This business owner loves kids and has a knack for entertaining them. Kids are not the easiest to please and it will take all your charm to keep them happy. Also, a party service owner has artistic skills and the ability to teach others to create the same wonderful things that they have.

Kids can get out of hand, so it is important to be firm but kind when dealing with them. This is easier when getting the parents involved in party etiquette and discipline. A party service states up front how many hours and crafts they are contracted for so you don’t get stuck making balloon poodles for hours on end.

Marketing.  Flyers can do wonders for this business. Place them in mailboxes, on bulletin boards at daycare centers, recreation centers, grocery stores, elder care centers, malls, and the like. Ads in the Yellow Pages let others know you are there. Your biggest times for work will be from spring to fall.

For bigger companies, plan a presentation complete with a catalogue of crafts you offer. The sky is the limit with this business. Carry business cards and imprint logos on T-shirts to wear when working.