How to Start a Home Party-Plan Company

Starting a home party-plan company requires attention to detail.

Starting a home party-plan company is a terrific idea for those people wanting to combine hospitality flair with good business sense. Party-plan companies help people plan, organize and orchestrate special events such as weddings, corporate events and children's birthday parties. Party planners may contract vendors, create party themes, manage invitation lists and book entertainment for such occasions. Home party-planning companies are run from the owner's home, greatly reducing overhead start-up costs since there is no additional rent. While starting a home party-plan company takes time and organization, the payoff can be great: financial rewards combined with helping people enjoy life's celebratory moments.

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Business license
• Tax identification number
• Liability insurance
• Client look-book
• Pricing list
• Business card
• Flyers
• Website
• Separate phone line

Instructions

Preparing for Business

1. Develop a business plan. An effective plan will describe the home party-plan company's goal or mission, outline key partners or employees, list strategies for attracting and retaining clients and include financial tools for basic bookkeeping. Consider the home party-plan company's brand--whether it will specialize in upscale corporate events, themed children's birthday parties or wedding receptions. Check around town to gauge whether a certain market has already become saturated.

2. Visit city hall. Check out local ordinances for running a business from home. A business license and tax identification number are likely necessary, but there may be other applicable regulations. For instance, if the party-plan company will be receiving deliveries, make sure the street is zoned for commercial vehicles. Also, consider purchasing liability insurance.

3. Build a "look-book." Clients will want to see demonstration of successful past events, particularly for a home party-plan company. To do this, fill a binder with photographs from past successful events.

4. Set pricing lists. Create a list of prices for party-planning services. Owners may want to include a la carte pricing for tasks like holding auditions for a wedding reception band, but also provide all-inclusive pricing options, with services clearly described.

Interact with Clients and Vendors

1. Prepare for advertising. Create (or hire someone to create) beautiful business cards and flyers for distribution around town. It's possible to create simple, inexpensive websites that can be enhanced later on. Establish a separate phone line, or be prepared to field business calls on a private land line or cell phone.

2. Connect with vendors. Meet with photographers, musicians, caterers, and companies that rent tables, lighting equipment and sound equipment. If possible, establish a mutually referring relationship so that each company benefits from the good name of the other.

3. Spread the word. Depending on the type of parties sought, connect with the local chamber of commerce, schools, churches, youth organizations and charity groups around town. Offer deals for booking a first event.

Tips & Warnings

• Entrepreneurs brand new to the business may want to organize an event for a friend or family member--a baptism celebration, engagement party or sweet sixteen event--making sure to snap plenty of gorgeous photos to include in an otherwise empty client look-book.

• Existing companies may not be welcoming, particularly in smaller communities. If possible, offer a personal introduction to other party-planners. Warmly note their good standing in the community and any intentions to refer business their way. There's no reason why a bar mitzvah specialist should feel competitive with someone who wants to plan baby showers.

References

• FabJob: Start Your Own Party Planning Business.
• Entrepreneur: How To Start An Event Planning Service.
• Mommy Empire: Become A Wedding Planner.