Need opinions please!

[Desnik]

I really want to thank you all so much for helping me brainstorm!!

We have decided to go with Happy Birthdays. DH has made the logo and it has a cake with candles between the two words. It looks great and we love it! We bought the site, warwickhappybirthdays.com. Warwick, NY is the town our store will be in.

So glad we got that settled. We were working on it for a long time before I decided to come here for help! In just one half day you guys helped me figure it out!!

One less thing to worry about! Now the real fun begins, shopping!!

 

[Desnik]

Thank you! I have thought many times about doing this myself, because there are not many places to have B-day parties here. Glad to know that it will exist somewhere! Good Luck!

I really can't thank you enough!!!!

There are a few party places here that are not too far from me. None that does this specifically in the town we will be in. Most places have the big inflatables or jungle gym things. I know so many parents that do not like those, especially for cleanliness reasons! When we originally had the store I would have parents hugging me after their party! They just loved what we offered and loved that they had nothing to do, just enjoy their childs party. As a mom myself looking for birthday places for my kids, I always hated that every place didn't offer a private party. I don't want to dish out $300 for a birthday and have 50 other kids we don't know there! I am really happy about our location and the name. Now I just have to decide what themes I will offer. I have a few I know I must have, Luau, Pirate, Tea Party, pop star, and a pre-school type party. I am not sure how many others I will offer. I need something else for boys.

 

[tink20]

You are welcome! Keep us updated!

 

[Wishing on a star]

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS sounds great!

I know that most all of your business will be kids birthday parties, but when starting a business, and having all the overhead in your 'space', I think it would be a good idea to have a name, and underlying decor, that is not so limiting... You could really rent your space and your services for so many more groups/purposes.

I forget what other names are taken in your area, but, if nothing similar is taken how about just CELEBRATE!

 

[Wishing on a star]

For the themes for the kids birthday parties...
Are you using a specific vendor for supplies...

BirthdayExpress.com comes to mind...

Anyhow, I was thinking that you could show the available ideas, like catalog, to the parents and give them all the various theme ideas to choose from.

 

[Rora]

CONGRATS!!

Hope the business goes great!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I thought of "Little Women" era hoop skirts, fingerless lace gloves, dainty teacups and of course the extended pinky finger

 

[Luvchefmic]

I guess I was s l o w to respond Good Luck with the new venture, Happy Birthdays sounds much better

 

[Desnik]

Thank you all!!!!

For insurance purposes I can't let any outside food in, or have catered events. So, I can do the parties like I planned but I can't rent out the space for a anniversary party for example. I can do other things with the space during the week like a craft time or story time. I do plan on offering a "pre-school" party on the weekdays in the afternoon.

I love Birthdayexpress and they do offer wholesale! Oriental trading company is good for bulk items too.

One of the mistakes we made last time was offering every party theme. For example a Dora Party with themed paper goods would cost way more than doing an explorer party with solid colored paper goods. I can't buy bulk of every theme there is and it isn't cost efficient to go out and buy paper goods for each theme party. It would cost about $100 for the paper goods, goody bags, decorations, etc... then I had to pay 2 helpers, rent, insurance, utilities and by the time I was done I would loose money. I learned my lesson. This time I will buy decorations I can reuse, do themed crafts and activities and decorations, but have solid colored paper goods. When I get the store all set up I will post pictures. I am just trying to come up with the most popular themes now, this can change next year, so I will buy in bulk for the year.

 

[johnsontrio]

I really can't thank you enough!!!!

There are a few party places here that are not too far from me. None that does this specifically in the town we will be in. Most places have the big inflatables or jungle gym things. I know so many parents that do not like those, especially for cleanliness reasons! When we originally had the store I would have parents hugging me after their party! They just loved what we offered and loved that they had nothing to do, just enjoy their childs party. As a mom myself looking for birthday places for my kids, I always hated that every place didn't offer a private party. I don't want to dish out $300 for a birthday and have 50 other kids we don't know there! I am really happy about our location and the name. Now I just have to decide what themes I will offer. I have a few I know I must have, Luau, Pirate, Tea Party, pop star, and a pre-school type party. I am not sure how many others I will offer. I need something else for boys.

Can I ask why you are limiting yourself to younger children? I had a tough time deciding what to do for my DD's Sweet 16 for a myriad of reasons. An inexpensive place with good food and the ability to bring in a DJ and I would've signed on the dotted line. Just some food for thought.

As far a boys themes, how about Nascar, SuperHeroes, Comic Book Heroes, Construction Zone, Skater Dude?

 

[Desnik]

We just felt after age 11 they start to want sleepovers, and other type of parties. I don't think I will post it anywhere that we only do parties for ages 2-10. That is just what we think our cliental will be. I certainly won't turn away an 11 year old that may want a pop star party! I can't have a DJ and cater food because that is a catering hall as far as insurance goes. My insurance doesn't cover that.

Great ideas for boys parties! Thanks!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I just LOVE the name!


I've noticed that the two young boys in our lives (sons of friends) both love cars and big trucks. Anything with wheels, it doesn't have to be Nascar specific, either.

Do little boys like space any longer? You don't see that as often.

 

[Jennasis]

Borrowing from Miley Cyrus:

Party N The USA.

In fact the website party-n-the-usa.com is available.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ohhh, I understand that you expect most of your business to be birthday parties!!!

I would be happy to have such a venue offering in my area!!!

Congratulations and good luck!!!

I am just thinking that the businesses that really succeed are those that are flexible and are prepared to grow to fit whatever opportunities that may be out there. And who are always seeking those opportunities. :

Also, about the licensed 'Character' parties...
So many children want the licensed 'Dora' or 'SpongeBob' or 'Monster Jam' thing. They really do...

I would suggest that you do offer and promote these choices... You can still use the cheap solid color for MOST of your supplies and paper goods... the things you can order wholesale, like you mentioned....

For example... a SpongeBob party could have simple bright sea blue paper plates, balloons, etc... Set this all up with just actual SpongeBob napkins, SpongeBob paper goody-bags.... maybe one big mylar SpongeBob balloon to top off the main balloon bouquet.... Just really highlight and dress up the solid colored, cheaper, supplies.

As you do each new theme for the first time, you can order a few larger decoration/props... and then this is YOUR stock. Ready for the next kid who wants that theme. So that this is not a recurring expense, but a profit on an investment.

Perhaps a 'surcharge' for a party using a 'Licensed' theme or character?

I suspect that many parents might pay for that.

 

[kathie859]

A Prim Party sounds like no party that I'd voluntarily attend.

 

[Sinderelli]

Just wanted to add- if you wanted to appeal to kids older than 10, the place where my DD6 had her last bday party had GREAT options- they had a "teen bash" with the dance floor, DJ, and some kind of machine (I think it was called Popnoggins??) where the teens could make their own video. Their heads would be pasted on a generic dancing body. It was hilarious! The price of the party included copies of the DVDs the teens made.

They also rented the machine out for parties. It seemed like a good money making venture- I know my inlaws were talking about renting the machine for Christmas!

The name of the business is Kids Party Adventures in Metairie, La.