My mom & I want to start a business doing party planning, but we don't know where to start. Help?

Question

We literally don't even know the first step to take. A company name? What kind of paperwork do we need to fill out?

Answer 1

First off establish a company name and register the business.  Decide on how far you want to take the party planning business; full service, booking locations, dealing with menus, full invoicing of all contractors, or just maintain a small percentage of the planning.  Head out to your local hotel and ask to speak (take to lunch) the Catering Manager and ask what they appreciate when dealing with party planners.  Apart from that you can also volunteer with established party planners and see what it is they do.  Typically the way to success is by word of mouth.  Once you land a couple good events your name will get passed around.

Answer 2

I doubt it's as easy as filling out paperwork. You are starting your own business. You need to just build your reputation...find friends that need parties, Invest in a newspaper ad, post online. Do a few and then go from there..once you have more experience and a solid background it wil ljust be easier. Build a business name for yourself and create an identity.  

Answer 3

You might want to visit this blog. It has a store which might sell the kind of software you are looking for. Good luck!

Answer 4

There is a lot of work.

You can contact you local state capital city hall and they will get you to the right department.

They will send you all the paper work to fill out including Tax Id,applying for a Name etc.

Don't SUBMIT this paperwork untli you have a solid business plan.

Look this up on line.

But short and skinny ..your name is the least of your worries so don't spend your creative juices now on that.

You do need to brain storm on

The services you plan to offer

What you will charge for these services

How long each service will take

What Kind of Parties (what limits)

Advertising, Websites are only good if you get someone out to see it.

Legal, You will need a level of counsel. Contracts are not a joke. Nor is losing your home.

Now those are to just mention a few. ALL OF WHICH will take research on your part ie: how much are planners charging for xyz in my area.

So to make a successful business work.. (in any economy) You have to plan and work out every angle.

My advice is to get lots of note books and scribble every thought no matter how silly or outrageous. In a month it may be the deal breaker to making it work !!!

Then put it all together ..

Good Luck to You

Oh ...then Come up with a Name :-)

PS. This is not to scare you.. All applies even small business .

Just if your eggs are not in a row and you put your name out there..If I call you and you blow it. You blew it for me evryone I know and so on.. That's without even working for me.

Get your stuff together before you Advertise your service.

Answer 5

Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t's and dot all your i's before your business launch.

Steps to Starting a Business -

http://www.developer-resource.com/starti...

Other sites you might find helpful are:

SBA - http://www.sba.gov/

SCORE - http://www.score.org

Small Business Resource - http://www.small-business-software.net

Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/act...

Goodluck!

Answer 6

Well the US Small Business Administration is a good place to start.

On their website they have a small business planner to help you get started. You can also contact your local office and they might be able to help you with mentoring or classes or some such thing.

So check it out, there are a ton of resources on this one website:

http://www.sba.gov/

Answer 7

You will need to get a business license, and if you are serving food probably a health department license as well. To attract clients start with your friends and then advertise in papers and community bulletin boards like what you see at grocery stores etc. From there if you are seeing success you can count on some word of mouth advertising if you do a good job. Good luck.