Many people start up a bouncy castle hire business on their own without getting proper advice and support from others in the industry. However, this approach leaves them wide open to make mistakes that can harm their inflatable hire business and slow its growth.

By sharing common "stumbling blocks" we hope that you can learn from mistakes others have made and avoid some of the obstacles that many before you had to overcome. Starting without a proper plan. You need more than just lots of energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to work at weekends. It is important that you study the market in your town or city, your competition and develop a plan of how you are going to make money in the bouncy castle hire business. Calling your bouncy castle hire business a name that comes very low down in the alphabet.

The reason why you should try and call your business with a name that starts with an "A" or even a number is because most offline and online directories list bouncy castle companies alphabetically. If your business starts with an "P" or worst case a "Z" then you will be at the bottom of the listings.

Most people looking to hire a bouncy castle will start at the top and go downwards. You could miss out on a huge amount of enquiries and bookings if you listed near the bottom. Giving up your "day job" too soon! Although the bouncy castle hire business can be very lucrative, it is very important when you first start that you still continue to work in your normal job.

Don't take on employees until your turnover hits a sufficient level. Many people forget that hiring employees can be very expensive if there is insufficient work to go round.

Startin a bouncy castle hire business need info! - sanapidyqel.web.fc2.com Forums

Sometimes it is better to use sub-contractors first although you should check with your accountant and lawyer as to how best to do this to ensure you comply with the law. Keeping employees because they are "nice" and "try hard". It can be difficult to fire someone, but a bad employee or someone who is just not pulling their weight could be dragging your bouncy castle company down.

Think about it this way; if you now had the opportunity to hire this person knowing what you know now about their work habits would you hire him or her? If not, it's time to be open with the employee and let him or her know they are not a good fit with your bouncy castle hire company.

Not diversifying or just hiring out small bouncy castles and inflatables for childrens' parties. More and more customers now want more than just a bouncy castle, e. If you cannot supply this equipment it may be a good idea to work with a competitor or rent from a competitor and then share the revenue. If you can't provide these added services, your customers may switch to an inflatable hire company that can better meet their needs.

Not saying "thank you" often enough. Everyone likes to know they are appreciated. This includes your employees, your customers, your suppliers and anyone else who has helped you or given you advice that has helped your bouncy castle business grow. Not visiting and participating in the online discussion forum. Using this forum is like having a board of advisers or experts on tap who will help answer any questions, problems and issues you are facing.

Spending too much money. When you first start out resist the urge to invest in expensive equipment, fancy office furniture, or gadgets you don't need.

Spending too little money. While you don't want to go overboard, you do need the right equipment, and vehicle etc. Your bouncy castle hire business can be successful if you have the enthusiasm, the drive, the passion and the willingness to learn from other people's mistakes. Take your time, do your homework and learn from those who have already become successful.

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If you found this article interesting, please share it with your friends using one of the options below: Click to tell your colleagues via your Outlook email. Show Survey Results Show All Surveys. Thinking about it now after the wet summer. You discover that one of your competitors is illegally hiring out domestic "toy" bouncy castles to the public - which could cause a serious injury to a child as they are not robust enough for commercial hiring.

How to make a booking - Fun Castles. Bouncy castle and inflatable hire in and around Chelmsford, Essex

What action would you take? Just warn them that they are breaking the law. Call Trading Standards but warning them first.

Call Trading Standards without warning them first. Do nothing, but wait for others to report them. Do you charge your customers a "booking deposit" when they book an inflatable with you either through the phone or online? Never - we're happy for full payment on delivery.

Yes - for every booking, unless very short notice. Yes - we won't deliver without a deposit up-front. How many bouncy castles and other play inflatables do you own which you hire out? Which is your most popular add-on hire product? Do you charge a little extra for hiring bouncy castles to weddings?

We increase price in accordance with their budget. There are 10 main benefits of your membership to the BIHA and this sister site BCO. Which one do you find MOST useful? Displaying the BIHA logo to increase your prestige. Directory listing of your business on BIHA website.

Receiving ideas to help increase your hire profits. Saving money on PL insurance and other services. Getting the FREE Tip of the Week from this site. Hearing about special deals etc. Which payment methods do you accept from your customers who hire inflatables? Do you ask your customers for referrals when they are happy with your inflatable hire service?

No, unless the customer recommends me to a friend. I have a system to collect referrals at every hire. Should hire prices of your inflatables be included on your website? No, I prefer people to call me to discuss prices. Yes, but only one price e. Yes, all my prices are displayed on my website. Cannot answer as I don't yet have a website.

How can you make your new bouncy castle company a success? - Start A Bouncy Castle Hire Business in United Kingdom, Europe , Australia, New Zealand, USA

What is your most profitable type of inflatable which you hire out? Small inflatable slides Max 6ft to platform. Large inflatable slides incl. Do you reduce hire prices in the winter? Only if the customer wants additional hire items.

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