Starting a Bouncy Castle Business, or Any Business...how Easy is It?

Starting a Bouncy Castle Business or Any Business... How Easy Is It?

Making the leap into the business world, whether it is online, or more conventional offline is a daunting, and scary situation for most. The voices in our head with the relentless cautions, and questions Am I doing the right thing? What if I fail? And believe me friends; family, and workmates are always willing to provide you with more reasons why you may want to reconsider your actions, or intentions.

Well I am here to tell you that there is nothing scary about it. Sure if you're silly, and don't have some kind of a plan or at least done a little research. Then success as they say will be more luck than judgment.

I have taken the leap many times in my life. First when I married. Then bringing a child into the world. Let's face it getting married, bringing up children, having a mortgage are scary, and daring undertakings. Yet we survive. The next big leap for me was immigrating to Canada in my early twenties with a wife, and a son in toe. No job, no home, and no friends to come to, and only $3000.00 to call my own.

Did I have a plan? Sure my plan at that time was a) get working before the money ran out. B) If either my wife or I really didn't like it we agreed to go back home, and under no circumstance would we return home until 12 months passed, this was more to prove wrong all the people back home who had said "Oh yeah you'll be back in three months". We have now lived in Canada 32 years. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!

What I am trying to say is. The fear is in your head, and you, your friends, and your family feed it. Don't allow it to distract you from your dreams.

Starting a business online, or offline is one of the simplest things to do. How easy is it? Here are two real examples.

Example One: In England especially in 1960s most towns had local outdoor markets. Local retailers used these markets as an additional point of sale for their merchandise. To sell off discontinued lines at a reduced price or to sell products that were less than perfect.

People would shop at the markets in droves; business was brisk on any Saturday. The noise, the smells from the food vendors, and produce stalls. Contributed to the atmosphere of the market.

My friend whom I will call Bob worked as a labourer in the construction industry. Bob hadn't worked for a few weeks, and therefore was a little low on cash. Bob had been rattling on for months how he would like to work the weekends at the market selling china, and porcelain etc. Apparently he knew where he could get imperfect cups, saucers, plates, jugs, and other china type products at very low prices.

Now we can discuss risk, and the degrees of risk very closely, but nothing that most of us will ever do comes close to the risk that Bob took on this particular weekend. Here is how Bob's plan worked. He would book a spot, at the local market for the coming Saturday. He would then drive to Stoke-on-Trent. As most of you will know Stoke-on-Trent is where most of the good china, and porcelain is made. Names like Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Spode etc. are made there. Arriving early on Friday morning Bob would visit the many china, and porcelain manufacturers in order to select his products. He would make his selection by 1:00pm and then go for lunch, giving instructions that the goods should be packed ready for him returning for pick-up at 4:00pm.

Timing was a very crucial component of Bob's plan. You see Bob didn't have any money, or at least not enough to pay for the products he was buying. The cheque that he was about to write would be NSF if it hit the bank before he was able to deposit on Monday morning. As it happens Bobs bank was closed on the weekend. When I was told of this after the fact I was stunned. You see as in most jurisdictions it was illegal to write an NSF cheque it's called fraud, and a person can go to jail for doing it. This was completely out of character for Bob.

Anyhow the next day (Saturday) Bob sold every single piece of china, and porcelain he had, and he sold it long before the market closed at 5:00pm he was able to pay for his stall rental in cash, and Monday morning he was first in line at the bank depositing his money. On Tuesday Bob returned to Stoke as he did for many years after to buy more china. Bob became very successful while working only three or four days a week. As a footnote I did find out that Bobs parents were willing to step up with the money if things had gone pear shaped that first weekend. It was still a gutsy thing to do. Fortunately YOU don't have to be that gutsy.

Example two: John is Canadian. John had a full time job. He was looking for extra income but wasn't sure how to get it. The method or plan he came up with is extremely short, and simplistic. He had little expenditure, and little risk. Results highly successful.

Pretty well every town or community throughout the summer has a festival, or fair in some form or another. Most festivals, and fairs have huge attendance. It is not unusual for some festivals to pack in thirty or forty thousand people over the course of a weekend. Most festivals have areas where crafters, and artists sell their creations. In addition there are usually many food vendors selling hot dogs, fries, cotton candy etc.

John realized that the food vendors did the most business at these events. Lets face it everyone likes to eat! The problem for john was that he didn't want a full time seasonal business. He just wanted to attend a few fairs during the summer, and make some extra cash. Purchasing a hot dog stand or other type of food vending unit was out of the question. His answer was brilliantly simple.

He booked into a local festival for a long weekend. Saturday - Monday. On Friday he went to his local supermarket, and asked the produce manager if he were to buy 100 or more watermelons what kind of a deal would he get on the price of each. The produce manager gave John a cost of .30 cents per pound (which at that time was a little less than retail) the average watermelon was about 10 lbs. Therefore John paid about $3.00 on average for each watermelon.

Bright, and early Saturday morning John, his wife, and his two teenage daughters set up three six foot tables in a horseshoe shape under a 10' tent. He had three pieces of marble one on each table. Three coolers with ice in them, 100 watermelons in sacks, paper plates, napkins, and a giant knife. Which looked to me like a machete.

It is now 8:30am and already it is 26 degrees Cel. 77 degrees F. John takes a Melon from one of the coolers, and slices it. He gets 8 slices out of each melon. He could get more but because he is charging a $1.00 for each slice he wants to give value. Festival visitors start arriving on the grounds. A full 35 minutes pass before John sells his first melon slice (they do say the first sale is the hardest) then as more people arrive, and all the sideshows swing into action, and the music starts on the main stage. John finds his time is now completely devoted to slicing melons.

Jump forward to 3:00pm. suffice to say it's hotter than it was at 8:30am. The people are lined up at his tent, and pretty well every other tent that is selling food, or drinks. John has four melons left in his coolers and his wife has taken the jeep to buy more.

Come Monday evening the festival is over. John has gone through 600 melons (from different supermarkets at varying prices) John averaged out his costs at $3.25 per watermelon times 600 so his cost was $1950.00. He got eight slices from each melon, and sold them for $1.00 per slice $8.00 per melon times 600 is $4800.00 He paid the festival society $100.00 per day for the space. $100.00 for incidentals paper plate napkins etc. After taking his total expenses from his earnings he is left with $2450.00 profit. Not too bad for three days work!

Now John also learned something that weekend. As well as learning how simple it is to start an income producing business. Bob also learned from one of the other vendors that he was very fortunate that the health inspector didn't come around. Selling food requires a permit. In fact most jurisdictions require a permit to engage in any sort of commerce. Do the research beforehand. The Internet has all the information you will ever need, use it.

There are many other businesses that are simple to establish, and easy to get involved in. For this article I will concentrate on what I know.

The inflatable amusement business is one of the easiest to get started in on a part time or full time basis. At this point you may be asking yourself what the devil is he talking about? What is the Inflatable amusement business? Well I can assure you that it isn't selling blow up dolls.

You have all been to a festival, or fair where they have giant inflatable bouncy castles, slides, etc. When you saw children bouncing in these bouncy castles. You probably thought to yourself wish they had those when I was a kid. You're not alone. I thought the same thing.

While visiting England back in 1993 I was looking for products that were prevalent in England, and yet relatively unheard of in North America. The idea was to import some to Canada, and sell to retail stores. I was discussing this with my brother in law one evening in a local pub. During the conversation he asked me if we had bouncy castles in Canada. To which I replied, "what's a bouncy castle" that seemed to answer his question. After discussing this in great length he decided to take my wife, and I to an old stately home that was open to the public. The idea was to have a nice day out, and at the same time get to see first hand what a bouncy castle is.

The place was just wonderful. It had acres of flowing fields, and forest, and of course was steeped in history. I remember thinking to myself, why would anyone want a home with so many rooms?

We spent about two hours roaming around taking everything in. However, I was focused on what I was there for. We all walked over to the children's area, where amongst other things. Stood this giant inflatable castle. Complete with turrets, painted on windows, and medieval characters, knights, and maidens adorning the walls, and the four towers. I don't know about a child, but I was pretty impressed myself. Inwardly I wished I were six years old again. This bouncer was approximately 25' X 25' and to the top of the turrets was about 18'. No matter which direction you approached from you couldn't miss this thing. I mean it was huge! I remember thinking. You don't need any signage for this. It advertises itself.

I told the others to continue exploring the grounds, and that I would meet them in two hours at a prearranged spot. After they left I found a bench to sit on in the shade, and I started watching the operation of this bouncy castle. The girl that was operating the bouncer was no more than 17 years old. She wore shorts, a top, and a little apron with pockets that she kept all her money in. She was very pleasant with the children, yet firm enforcing the rules. She was obviously experienced, and I thought very professional.

As I sat there I began taking visual notes. A fence enclosed the bouncer, and there was an elaborate fence system where the children waited in line for their turn to bounce. I looked at my watch as the next group of 18 children went in for their turn to bounce. Three minutes went by when a whistle blew signalling the end of the bouncing for that group of children. This continued non-stop while I was there, and there were always children in line waiting their turn.

The cost for each child to bounce was ₤1.00 which was about $2.26 I did the math in my head using dollars rounded down to $2.00 for simplicity. Eighteen children $2.00 each times three minutes. Allowing for loading and unloading the operator averaged 15 sets of eighteen children per hour. That young lady was producing $540.00 an hour.

I sat there for two hours watching the loading, and unloading of this amazing piece of equipment. The area was filled with the laughter, of kids, and parents, and the delightful shrieking of little girls. Happy kids, and parents! What an atmosphere to work in. My mind was now made up.

I purchased one small bouncy castle before I left England, and it arrived in Canada three days after I did. I wasted no time arranging with a local mall to set up for no charge on their parking lot. I assured the manager of the mall that I would not charge the children to bounce, since he was providing me the space free of charge.

The next Saturday, my son, and I inflated the brightly coloured bouncer (complete with banner displaying my phone number, and the words For Hire) in the car park of the mall adjacent to the highway. That particular stretch of highway has eighty thousand vehicles a day pass by.

Within three minutes of set-up we had a line-up of 12 children. While the children bounced, I chatted with their parents, making sure that each parent left with my brochure. The fact that we did not charge the children resulted in huge line-ups all day. When I returned home that afternoon there was no less than 10 calls on my answering machine, which turned into bookings. I had return on my investment in less than three weeks. Within two months we bought a second bouncer, and as the saying goes the rest is history. Fourteen years later I am still in the business, which has expanded to my comfort level.

The only thing that holds you back from achieving your dreams is YOU! Stop it, and stop listening to those around you giving you unqualified advice. Instead sit down, and decide what you want. You can start a business online just by having a website about what you're passionate about. If you are into Butterflies build a website about butterflies. Write articles about butterflies; educate your visitors about butterflies.

Remember people go onto the Internet for ONE thing! INFORMATION! Sure their ultimate objective may be to purchase a camera or other item for a Christmas gift. But initially they want information. They want to know about cameras or whatever, item they seek. They want to know the price, the functions, the features, the warranty, and a million other things before they purchase.

Your butterfly website (if that's what you're into) provides valuable information. Which attracts visitors. As your visitor traffic grows, and your web page becomes popular advertisers want to advertise on your web page. Now you are earning money.

Establish your goal / dreams. Write it down, research it, and establish a plan / schedule, and then implement it. Nothing complicated about it. Your Move!

Article By: Terry: Hand Karscot Distributors / Fun Zone British Columbia, Canada