Make a kid's big day your business! From modest festivities that parents typically shell out $200-400 for, to $100,000 first-birthday bashes as reported in the New York Times, the twenty-first century is rapidly becoming the gilded age of children's birthday parties. Planning these events has become a profession in itself. The children's birthday party business is booming-and it offers an ideal entrée for those hoping to start a home-based business with low financial risk. This book shows you how. Combining straightforward language with a host of essential organizing tips, useful checklists, and easy-to-follow worksheets, Amy Jean Peters takes you through every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based children's birthday party business. Whether you're just starting to explore your options for a home-based business or are used to being your own boss, this guide helps you channel your creativity and shows you how to get your business off the ground. You'll be the one parents turn to! Part-Time and Full-Time Options How to Create a Work Space at Home The Nuts and Bolts of Establishing a New Business Preparations for Your First Party The Basics of Record-keeping Legal Matters

How to Start a Home-Based Children's Birthday Party BusinessTOCChapter 1 Happy Birthday Party Business to You! Why Now Is the Moment The Key Characteristics of a Children's Party Planner An Honest Self-Assessment Challenges of the Field Opportunities in a Rapidly Growing Area Chapter 2 Envisioning Your Business From Princesses to Ponies, What Type of Party Business Choosing Where to Conduct Parties Who Is the Audience for Your New Business? Weighing Part-Time and Full-Time Options Specialization Chapter 3 Creating Your Home Work Space Setting Up a Dedicated Work Space Buying Office Equipment Selecting and Purchasing Party Supplies Zoning Issues Applying for Licenses Choosing Insurance Keeping It Professional Chapter 4 Ready, Set, Start Writing a Business Plan Research, Research, Research Keeping an Eye on the Competition Creating a Niche Naming Your Business Crafting a Compelling Mission Statement Selecting a Business Structure Sole Proprietorship General Partnership Incorporation Limited Liability Company Chapter 5 Hanging out Your Shingle Start Spreading the News Avoiding Common Early Mistakes The First Event From Cakes to Party Hats, Finding the Right Suppliers Developing References and Referrals Documenting Your Successes Chapter 6 Planning Your Finances How Much Do You Hope to Earn? Being Realistic About Earning and SpendingFinancing Your BusinessPricing Goods and Services Determining a Budget Chapter 7 Tracking Your Money Billing Your ClientsFinancial Software Key Financial Statements Chapter 8 Tax Time Record Keeping to Ease Tax Time Stress Hiring an Accountant Tracking Deductions Financial and Record Keeping Software Chapter 9 Keeping It Legal When to Hire an Attorney Choosing the Lawyer That Is Right for You Written Agreements and Contracts Hiring Employees Customer Confidentiality Chapter 10 Start Spreading the Word Creating a Marketing Plan Advertising News Features and Press Releases Newsletters A Walk through the Yellow Pages The Power of Word of Mouth Making and Distributing Brochures and Business Cards Networking News Chapter 11 Strength of the Web Creating a Persuasive Web Site Using On-line Sources E-mail Newsletters Chapter 12 Onward and Upward Growing Your Small Business Charting Trends in Your Industry Appendix Training Bibliography Trade Associations Trade Shows Index About the Author