Please help me with a business decision!!

[Trish Bessette]

I agree with sticking with your original plan. Not only will this allow more business by catering to both boys & girls you have a much better chance of people returning for another birthday. If you have several themes they will come back to do a different theme for another birthday.

Best of luck to you

 

[happygirl]

I would keep the first idea. Then maybe have a special room for that sort of party. Or it could be a theme idea for a party. I wouldn't specialize in just that

 

[piglet too]

We have a couple of places near me that cater to girls. My DD7 has been to several parties at the one place, and there is a new one too that she already has an invite to.

http://www.dramaqueensinc.com/

http://www.ourpartypalace.com/page/page/2915998.htm

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My girls were never into princesses and hated going to parties like that. They did try and put on a good face though.

My neices threw a couple of parties like that. They were at a "Tea Room" Restaurant.

While your idea sounds cute, I can't see it as a viable business model. Unless you did it as a "traveling party", where you don't have the overhead.

Or what about "mobile parties" that come to you?

Good Luck with your business plan!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I like the idea--but I'm confused how the same business wouldn't allow your first business plan, but the second one is okay.

While I like the idea of a princess-y place, I'd have to agree that you are cutting it down significantly and limiting what you can do given that you don't really do anything else.

Also, your Overhead sounds extremely expensive with getting it all set up.

I'd be inclined to source a new location and make sure your are comfortable with your entire business plan from top to bottom before signing a lease. To me it would seem at this point, it feels like you are changing ships midstream.

We had a free standing tea room here, but it closed years ago. I don't know why. It was fabulous. It's now a clothing boutique.

 

[Desnik]

I really want to thank you all. Your advice is really helping me a lot!

The town said that the building we are renting a space in couldn't be used as a cafe, restaurant, or have food being made there. It isn't zoned for it. They thought we would be cooking the pizza and cakes and serving that there during the party. We had to clarify what we were doing exactly and get them to approve us bringing outside food in and serving it. While we were waiting on an approval we looked into other rentals in the area just incase we didn't get the approval. We had found one but it was much smaller but really cute. That's when I came up with the idea for the girls only princess tea parties. Once we got the approval from the town for the original place we decided to stick with it because of the size, location and parking availability.

So, I can stick with my original idea and incorporate the princess tea party as a party theme. It won't be as elaborate as I pictured but will still be great.

My start up costs won't be too bad. I already have all the tables and chairs(which is one of the biggest expenses) from when we had the business before. I also have some supplies. All the paper goods will be bought wholesale through the supply company I used before. We have saved enough money for the start up costs plus the year rent.

I have a son and a daughter and I am very aware of how there is so many things for girls more than boys! I will admit it bothers me too! But as a mom of a girl I know how much they love dress up and tea parties!


Someone mentioned prices. I really want them to be reasonable, but I am in business to make money. I am trying to offer packages that are inexpensive and go up to expensive. Having done this business before I know that parents will spend money on their kids. When it involves birthdays, they tend to spend even more. I had birthdays range from $225 to one parent spending $700!!! The average was around $300.

 

[golfgal]

$700

I see you are in NY so that is good-no one around here would spend that kind of money, even $250 is more then people would spend on a kid's birthday party.

 

[Desnik]

$700

I see you are in NY so that is good-no one around here would spend that kind of money, even $250 is more then people would spend on a kid's birthday party.

I know! I will admit to spending $600 on my DD's 3rd bday.

The $700 party was a Luau party with about 26 kids. They all got to dress up and take home the grass skirts, sunglasses, leis, straw hats. The party was 2 and a half hours. She had adults stay and had extra pizza for them. It was a blast and one of the best parties we had. We booked a bunch just from that one party!

 

[Sneezie]

I know! I will admit to spending $600 on my DD's 3rd bday.

I've spent $500 just to get snow blown on the yard at my DD's 10th birthday. I'm sure we spent close to $1000 on that party. It is definitely a lucrative business to get into if you are in an area with a willing and able clientele.

 

[happygirl]

OP, Good luck to you!!!.