From a $250,000 fête for a seven-year-old Florida girl, complete with helicopter rides, to $100,000 first birthday parties as reported in the New York Times, this is rapidly becoming the gilded age of children's birthday parties. The cost of these events now averages between $200 and $400, fueled by pressure to "keep up with the Joneses." Couple this surge in interest with the fact that births in the United States have exceeded 4 million each year since 2000, and you have a waiting and growing market. Planning such events has become a profession in itself.

More and more, parents are turning to event consultants to plan their children's celebrations. If you've dreamed of your own home business, planned parties for your own children, and want to put your creative ideas to work, this book is for you. Packed with organizing tips, guidelines, checklists, and more, How to Start a Home-Based Children's Birthday Party Business will help you hit the ground running.

How to Start a Home-Based Children's Birthday Party Business

TOC

Chapter 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 Spending

Financing Your Business

Pricing Goods and Services

Determining a Budget

Chapter 7 Tracking Your Money

Billing Your Clients

Financial 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