A new feature for our blog, we will be bringing you articles on how other businesses got started, from how they got the idea to the planning and setting up. First up is our business, Party Sprite.
So, how did you get the idea for Party Sprite?
By accident! A friend was selling her business to explore new ideas and I took over. I inherited a list of suppliers and a basic website, and took it from there. The company was formed in June 2008.
How did you go from the basics to what you have now?
I tried to work with the existing site but found it didn’t give the impression I wanted, so I researched and found Zen Cart, worked out how to use it and developed the site. I am still tweaking it now, and still learning. The logo and header have been designed for me but the rest of it I did myself. Stock wise I started off buying in foil balloons and reselling them, this built my funds up so I could start acquiring party supplies stock.
What have you found a struggle?
Keeping the money flowing. When sales slow up you still have your overheads to pay for, fortunately running the business from home means these are low but they still need paying. I did toy with the idea of a bricks and mortar shop for a while but I think keeping online at the moment suits me, the girls are still young and I can’t commit to set hours to run a real shop.
What do you love about your work?
What’s not to love? I really enjoy making up party bags, pass the parcels, balloon gifts etc, and I’m like a kid at christmas when my stock arrives! It is so important to enjoy what you do, and I am even getting the girls involved. Just knowing that I am helping a stressed out mum somewhere arrange her children’s party makes it all worthwhile.
What are your plans for the future?
We really need some premises for all the stock, our spare room is looking a bit cramped! Apart from that to grow the business while keeping our focus on customer service. We have lots of events planned for the summer and the run to Christmas, and a new venture which we are working on to hopefully launch around September 09.