How to Start a Balloon Bouquet Service
- 1). Determine your budget. Though you will need to design some balloon bouquets to present to potential clients, generally, you won't need to make your bouquets until requested. This means that you won't need to go overboard with your supplies until your business really takes off. Besides supplies and licensing, other expenses include gas and maintenance on your delivery vehicle and costs for advertising. Setting a budget right away will help you determine how much you'll need to charge in order to make a profit.
- 2). Obtain the proper permits. Get a sales tax permit to purchase wholesale, tax-free items and pay your sales tax on items sold in state. Check with your county clerk and/or city business division as to whether you will need to register your business. However, forming a limited liability company (LLC) or other business structure will give your business a polished look and offer personal liability. Purchase business liability for your business assets. Visit Netquote.com to find the right insurance for your business.
- 3). Convert a spare room or your garage into a workspace for your home-based balloon bouquet business. You'll need a work table, room for your supplies, shelves to store your bouquets, and room for your computer, credit-card machine, telephone and fax machine. You can also have a small photo studio with good lighting to take your own quality images of your work.
- 4). Purchase your supplies: helium tanks, a hot-glue gun, air pumps, ribbons, confetti, streamers, banners, signs, candy, cookies, stuffed animals and balloons (see Resources). Look for bright, colorful balloons of various shapes and sizes. Purchase invoices, stationary, business cards and brochures.
- 5). Purchase a van for your balloon bouquet delivery service. If your budget won't yet allow such an expense, you can use your car. However, be sure to detail your business information, such as your name and phone number, somewhere on your car.
- 6). Set up a merchant account for your home-based balloon bouquet business so that you can take orders over the phone and Internet (see Resources).
- 7). Purchase a website to sell your bouquets. Include quality images of your bouquets, prices, delivery areas, an About Me page where you discuss your vision for your business and your commitment to customer satisfaction, and security measures and privacy settings to safeguard your customers' personal data.
- 8). Create a handful of balloon bouquets. Treat your balloons with Hi-float to reduce the rate at which air escapes. Balloons treated with Hi-float may last up to 40 percent longer than untreated balloons. Some of your bouquets should reflect the seasons and holidays. If there are similar services in your area, set your balloon bouquet business apart by offering faster service, popular ideas, or bouquets that highlight a hobby, such as ballet- or golf-themed bouquets.
- 9). Market your balloon bouquet business. Put a sign in your yard. Signs may be restricted to a certain size, so be sure to get approval for your signs from your neighborhood association and zoning authority. Donate bouquets to schools, nonprofit organizations and charities, and local groups such as the Girl Scouts. Pass out brochures at local events.
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