Hello ladies,
Recently and in the past I have contemplated starting an Event Planning Business out of my home. I thoroughly enjoy doing this and think I could be very successful at it as I gain experience. However, I am obviously nervous about doing such a thing since I do make up for half of our family's income.
I read other posts out there regarding starting this type of business however they seem to be fairly out dated. I am in the Dallas region and looking for anyone who might be starting up thier photography, design type business or any feedback from other mothers who might do this sort of thing currently? What are the biggest obstacles you had and how do you manage?
Any resources you might be able to refer me to would be helpful as well. I am a bit torn as to whether I should get a certificate for event planning. Some reviews say to do it and others say otherwise. I am leaning towards getting anyhow given my target market. Any insight on this would be helpful as well!
Thanks so much!!
I've worked in a trade show capacity for years, and, seriously, you might want to think about working FOR an event planner before starting a business of your own. There is SO much to know, and know well. Because in the end, it's YOUR butt on the line for someone's EVENT. Their important event. That means a LOT to them. There aren't really "practice" events! LOL
Find a good company that's hiring.
I don't but a bunch of my friends do photography. They all started as a hobby. Never charged a penny. That way they got to perfect their craft and build a client base. When they went pro they had no trouble having enough customers to make ends meet.
I think the same can be said for event planning. There is just no way you will get enough clients to make ends meet without being able to show this is what I have done, over and over. I would say do it for friends or people in your church, school, whatever, until enough people have seen your good work, then go pro.
I think given the Dallas market you may want to get a degree, and in the mean time see if you can apprentice/work shadow or something along those lines for someone who is currently successful in your area. Be honest you are looking to do this yourself and you may end up with a wonderful mentor who can help guide you in the right path. You never know she may be willing to pass on a few clients that are lower budget to you so she can focus on the larger clients depending on how her business is. I wish you well.
Please, go to your local library and ask for help. Public libraries are REALLY into helping small business owners and they will have a ton of excellent resources, both books and online, to help you!
Your local Chamber of Commerce, our county government, may also have free resources and networks to help you. For example, my county has resources specifically for woman-owned small businesses.
If you live near a college or university - they often have Small Business Centers as well that offer free counsultations.
Good luck to you!!!
Girl go for your dreams : ) but be smart about it. I agree with the other post you have to go to Chamber of Commerce and then join a local networking group (look for one on meetup) where you can pass out your card and brochures. Also join a "start your own business" group on meet up so you can get ideas from others. Good Luck
I agree with a few posters here: work for someone else first. Having been the client a number of times (I ran some events for my company), a good planner is worth a fortune. A bad or inexperienced one can be a disaster -- and an experienced business client can tell the difference in a heartbeat.
Have you thought of going to work in the events department of a hotel? You'd get to work with a number of vendors and a variety of clients and budgets. It can be terrific experience, with a safety net under you until you find your own way.
Best of luck!
I know someone who runs a successful event planning company. She worked for someone else first to gain experience before she opened her own company. I would learn as much as I could from someone who is already doing it before I started my own business. Good luck!
