Party Planning Business

Hi J.!! I am in a similar situation with my job however I work full time as a Hospice Social Worker. I recently started my own business with Arbonne International and I am loving it!! It is hard work and I also was very spectical about whether or not there was a demand for it. Before I started my business, I did ask around to see if people had heard about it and if they liked it. I got a mixture of responses which were yes they knew of it and liked it and some that had not heard of it. I then looked at the potential for financial freedom and found that this out weighed everything else. I am currently working my Arbonne business along side of the Social Work job and it is keeping me busy but will be worth it in the long run. I plan on working my Arbonne business so I can quit my current job and work Arbonne full time!! I would love to help you out with parties and events and would also love to share my business and it's aspects with you as well. Good luck and hope to here from you soon!! Thanks

Hey,

I have a friend in Alberta, Canada who does this with a partner. (Partnerships are one of the highest risk business ventures, but they can work.) Anyway, she was so busy with business it was putting a strain on all her other obligations. A double edged sword? Busy is good! Perhaps she needed to learn to say "No" to all her business? They do bridal shows, like what has been mentioned; and all sorts of birthday parties in the 40 and 50 year old categories with bands, catering, etc.; and event planning for local car dealerships for golf outings, or local chamber of commerce events...they have really branched in a million different categories and have been wildly successful. My advice is start it on the side - as has been mentioned - and see where it leads you. My friend's company name was "Two Blondes in a Bag" and "Silver Moon Event Planning"...I'm not sure if the name is the same...or if they have a website, but it would be worth it to check out other event planning websites and see what you can glean from them. I was a drug rep for 12 years and all the dinners and lunches I planned for physicians was 'event planning'...only it was part of my drug rep salary. It was a like having a side job wrapped into one huge job. I love it, personally, and would enjoy doing it myself, if we didn't move so frequently with my husband's job. About the time I could build a good referral base...we would move.

Much luck!
J.

I have always been interested in doing the same thing. I curently have a co-worker in my office that is having to plan her family reunion this Summer & is hating it-which gave me the event planning business idea. I love doing that sort of thing. I have done some exploring of it & found that the $$ is not really there for the work you have to do however, I think it could be manageable if you did have a partner involved to help with the work load/share ideas with etc.

I am in Kansas City....where do you live?

K.

I sell pearl jewelry as an Independent Consultant for The Pearl Strand. One thing that has helped me TREMENDOUSLY in gaining business and leads is to set up booths at local bridal shows. I usually do 1-2 shows a year and it generates enough business to last at least 6-8 months (or longer depending on how hard I want to work my leads and follow-up). The best way to get a lot of contacts is to hold a drawing at your booth for a free prize or service (ex: FREE or discounted wedding planning for the winner of the drawing). Just print up a few hundred entry forms and watch them fill up in the box!
I think doing bridal shows would be excellent for you to get a foot in the door to event planning if you're wanting to do weddings. Of the two major shows I've done (Perfect Wedding Guide and KC Bridal Spectacular) I'd recommend the KC Weddings one. Both are pretty comparable in price, but the KC Weddings seemed to get me much more advertising and exposure for the price. Message me if you'd like more info about the shows and who to contact to get into one. I know there is one coming up in the next month or so. I'd be happy to help in anyway I can! :)
B.

Hello J.,

Who will be your target group? Kids, adults, both?

One thing that is really big with kids right now is the stuff a bear craze. I've been planning daycare workshops, birthdays, fundraisers, etc. through Noah's Ark Animal Workshop. It's a great starting place and you can add other party ideas as well. http://www.mystuffapet.com

I'm amazed at the number of older people who like Noah's Ark as well such as senior centers and assisted living centers.

As to the adult event planning services...I don't have as much experience with that. I have a friend who just started a mobile bartending business and she gets referrals through word of mouth. She has several events going on this summer. Seems to be taking off on it's own!

Consult a lawyer or your state for more information on required licsences and all. Then, jump in and get your feet wet with a few events and see how it goes.

Good luck!

Do a survey. Ask around. Go to party supply and wedding shops and see if there is a demand, before you put your self out there. Begin to ask people... if this were available would you use it. Maybe that would help you decide. also pray about it. Let theLord minister to you about this idea.

Your best bet to get this started would be to get "in" with a local art gallery. As you do their P.R. you will be involved in the parties that "open" exhibits and other stuff. Then you can leave cards with the vendors that provide services for the openings, artists, and the people that attend these things.

It's a tough world to break into. Networking with caterers, event venues, rental stores, Liquor suppliers will give you an idea of what your competition does.

Don't forget to adevertise.

I would go to work for one first to really see what the demand is and if you actually like it.

You might think about starting your business on the side to start with. It's a great way to test the waters out without much risk. Can you afford to work a regular job part time. Taking small steps can let you get experience, test the market, and network without risking too much money. Good luck.

I am wanting to start a catering business so if you need a partner let me know

Hi J. my name is N. and I became my own boss in February and I love my job. I would love to share my team and company with you if that is what you are looking for you can go to my website at www.workathomeunited.com/N. or call me at ###-###-#### and I would be happy to share info about my team and company

Hi J.,
Well I have a couple ideas on this.
How about you host your own event planning party, invite friends family co workers people you know. Also what kind of event or you willing to plan for ?? Baby showers, weddings and receptions, cocktail parties, dinner parties, surprise birthday parties, bachelor/bachorlette parties, bridal shower, the list is endless.

Make up a book that shows what kind of ideas you have for certain parties, where you could have these kinds of parties. If you are going to use a catering business find one that you like and the food, if you are going to do your own then here is your perfect oppurtunity to show them what you can make. I bet you will get some people that would like you to plan their event and if the people that do come don't have an event that they need planned they will tell their friends and so on and so on and before you know it you will be very busy. Hold this event on a saturday with no holiday near, plan your own event word of mouth will do wonders people will see you in a new light. And I'm sure a couple people if not more will ask you to plan something out of this.

Hope this helps you alot W.

P.S. I would also make up bussiness cards so you can hand them out, leave them on tables, leave them at the bar if you have one. You could do this big or small.

Hi J.,

Your idea sounds great, but I would try it without leaving your current job unless you can afford it, to star a business takes time and advertising budget, you can make business cards free, just paying for the shipping at vistaprint.com, that is what I do with my home biz, but it takes time and planing.
I don't know for sure where are you located, but around here we have lots of places that people know that plan parties for kids, if you have a more open market in mind you can do great.
I also do cake decorating and jewelry for fun so I know what you mean by wanting to market your idea. I would love to do that too but it is hard.
I chose to go with something that I know it's working already but would love to have the guts to get my own thing out there, so if you think you can make it go for it!
And the best of luck!

M. Abadie
www.MyKidsFirst.com