20 Profitable Event & Party Business Ideas
Are you looking for profitable party business ideas?
if you are passionate about offering people a good time you can turn the passion into a profit by launching your own party business.
The events industry is still going strong - even if that may look a little different than before.
Although many events are going virtual and parties are looking smaller, there's still a huge opportunity to innovate in the space and build a profitable event and party business.
We've identified 20 business opportunities in the events space to get the wheels turning for you.
1. Start an event management company
Do you have a basic understanding of events, possess great communication skills, and aren’t afraid to talk to C-suite executives, event attendees, donors, brand sponsors, and vendors?
Event management is a profession that is growing rapidly. Experts estimate that the event management and planning industry will experience a growth rate of 10% in a few years.
You can use your skills and passion by starting an event management company. Event management is not only an exciting career, but it is also a profitable business opportunity, with endless opportunities, you can focus on social and entertainment events, and corporate events, or become a general event management company.
Hi, I’m Dietrich, a retired investment manager and co-founder of Spacehuntr. Spacehuntr is a fully integrated 360° platform that enables businesses to book and manage unique Work, Play & Stay spaces for corporate events in one easy to use platform that acts as a digital event planner.
In 2019, revenues grew +700% and we are, despite the global pandemic, on track to match this growth in terms of international expansion in 2020.
2. Start a virtual events business
It is no secret that the 2020 global pandemic changed how we interact and engage. Today, more meetings and events take place online than ever before. According to statistics, the trend of virtual events is not slowing anytime soon. Corporates and entertainment sectors plan to organize more virtual events in the coming decade.
Thus, starting a virtual events business can be a great idea.
A virtual event is where attendees experience the event and its content online rather than being physically present. A virtual events business ideates, plans, organizes, executes, and coordinates virtual events on behalf of its clients. A virtual events business also develops creative ideas that make the virtual events unique and memorable.
To start and operate a successful virtual events business, you must possess broadcasting and audience psychology skills and be ready to learn and deal with new technologies. The good news is that you have multiple platforms where you can run virtual events.
I’m Natasha Miller- raised in Des Moines, Iowa but high-tailed it out of there as soon as I could at the age of 23. I thought I’d be a performer only - a classical violinist and jazz vocalist, but as it turns out those careers might have been the catalyst for where I am today.
- Inc. 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies in America
- Entrepreneur Magazine 360 List “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America”
- San Francisco Business Times Fast 100 “Fastest Growing Companies in the San Francisco Bay Area”
- Special Event Top 50 Event Planners in the World
3. Start a balloon decor business
Balloon decorations involve the creation of balloon-based arrangements and thematic shapes, covering backgrounds, ceilings, walls, columns, centerpieces, and entrances within the event and party venues. Balloon décor is popular in corporate events, entertainment and social events, children's parties, and weddings.
Balloon décor is a low overhead business and can be a profitable entrepreneurship opportunity. You do not need a storefront as you can work from home with a few pieces of equipment. You need proper planning skills to start and operate a successful balloon décor business. You should plan and analyze every step and challenge before starting the business.
I’m Janeen Brown! Founder and CEO of Balloon Haus LLC. In February 2018, I started Balloon Haus - the first opulent online and in-store Balloon boutique - where lifestyle and decor enter a "luxury" level of design. Our team consists of dedicated and loyal employees in Toronto, Atlanta, Detroit and South Florida destined to create iconic balloon memories to last a lifetime.
4. Start a party planning business
Party planning involves budgeting, establishing party timelines, selecting and reserving ideal party sites, acquiring permits, theme décor, and coordinating party catering and transportation.
Are you organized, creative, and client-focused? You can put those skills into starting a successful party planning business. To become a party planner, you must desire to help other people enjoy themselves. Besides, you need diplomacy, salesmanship, and multitasking skills.
Hello, I am Akshay Patel from Albuquerque, NM the land of enchantment. I started an event rental and decor company that led me to an event venue. The View Event Center is a lavish space that is an indoor and outdoor event venue with panoramic city views. Our high-end venue with experienced staff will assist from venue decor to the smallest details entailed in making memories of a lifetime. Simply Decor, Tents, and Events ensures exclusive decor and thrives to bring your event to life through customized, elegant decor for all of their clients.
The full-service company will individually work with every client to design their event that will intrigue every eye in the room. Our company is broad that we get many different types of customers and we make many great connections with them as well. The company was making upwards of $380,000 a year.
5. Start an Event and after party cleaning business
Event and after-party cleaning business depends upon corporate and individual customers celebrating various events and hosting parties. The party and event organizers do not worry about cleaning utensils or cleaning the event venues.
Starting the event and after-party cleaning business requires the proper planning, maid, and janitorial skills. To start, purchase the appropriate cleaning equipment and hire skilled venue cleaners.
I am James Hookway and I own and run Hangover Helpers. The business is an after-party cleaning company that started about 5 years ago. We don't just clean up your mess we also bring breakfast and refreshments. (Please note due to COVID-19 we have ceased the food and beverage services until further notice).
Monthly revenue about 3k a month with some months up to $7k during the busy summer period. After COVID-19 there is a big backlog of cleans here in WA so we are having to say no to cleans as not enough staff. We are about to hit our 500th clean, so on average we do 100 cleans a year (just on weekends).
6. Start a party supply store
If you love fun activities and helping other people enjoy their parties, starting a party store in your neighborhood can be a rewarding and profitable business.
Party stores sell balloons, decorations, costumes, novelties, confectionaries, theme party wear, and other party supplies.
If you are starting a party store, you may choose to join it as an affiliate or enter a franchise. A party store is a low-to-entry business venture and can be rewarding in the long run.
I'm Dean Salakas Chief Party Dude at The Party People. Our goal is to help people have the parties of their dreams. We are Australia’s largest party store selling balloons, decorations, costumes, novelties, confectionary, theme partyware, and anything else you could possibly want for a party.
7. Start a wedding rental business
Do you love wedding planning and looking for a business idea to turn your passion into profits? Starting a wedding rental business can be a great idea.
Your role as a wedding rental business is to supply all equipment and accessories to make the occasion colorful and memorable for attendees and the wedding couple. If you are starting a wedding rental business, focus on building relationships with wedding planners and event companies. Remember often couples visit wedding venues before even contacting a rental company. Being in contact with wedding venue business owners could get you repeat business.
Hello! I’m Brandon Wong, the CEO and part of the husband and wife team that started Photobooth Supply Co.
I think the most important thing about what we do is the fact that we’ve transformed over 1,000 people’s lives. It’s not about the money for me, it’s about the fact that the company I started with my wife has given so many fantastic opportunities for people to achieve their full potential, while having a lot of fun while at it.
8. Become a wedding planner
A wedding planner assists with designing, planning, and managing a wedding, so the bride and groom have the happiest day. Wedding planners enjoy a flexible working schedule and opportunities to travel locally and globally, and it’s a great career with numerous growth opportunities.
To start a wedding planning business, identify your target clientele and study their wedding cultures so you can offer the clients excellent service. Remember, excellent wedding planning is all about having the passion and knowing how to harness that passion for designing weddings that bring out the emotions of those in attendance.
The Complete Service is the opposite of The Essential Service, it costs more but we handle the entire process for the couple!
We have gone from doing 5 to 10 weddings a month to 80 to 100 weddings a month in 4 years.
9. Start a catering business
A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.
Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don't have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.
However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning. To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more. In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.
Hi, my name is Nestor Nidome and I am the founder and owner of Elegante Catering. Serving the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside county) and now have expanded to serve all of Southern California. Our customers, mostly higher middle class, have enjoyed our delicious menu ranging from full service plated meals, made to order pasta bars to buffet-style menus such as Mexican fajitas bar and tacos.
Weddings because there is no higher compliment than to have the bride and groom come up to us complimenting us and letting us know how all their guests are raving about the food. As for corporate caterings we like to make it as simple as possible for them. We have 12 different menus they can choose from so that every month their employees enjoy a different menu. Plus once we have their information all they have to do is text us the Date, Menu, and Time they want. We understand that they have better, more important things to do than order food. This has allowed us to grow our monthly sales to $20,000.
10. Start a Greeting Cards Business
People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events. If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.
When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan. Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards. For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.
I am Travis Peterson and started Joker Greeting. We make original prank gifts and prank non-gifts for friends, family, and offices. It all started with a non-stop musical greeting card that looped for 3-6 hours.
For 2.5 years, I have been working on making musical greeting cards interesting again. To be clear, I never intended on making a greeting card or joke company, but we launched on Kickstarter and raised $92,073 in 30 days with no marketing, so I decided to give it a shot.
11. Rent party & events venue
Businesses use event venues for various purposes, including meetings, tradeshows, conferences, product launches, etc. On the other hand, individuals host birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations at event venues.
According to the latest statistics, the events industry is growing rapidly. Events provide a great marketing tool for businesses, and events are crucial for strengthening relationships.
The demand for event venues increases as individuals and corporates host more events annually. If you have some unused space and are enthusiastic about hosting events, you can start an events rental business.
To start, choose a niche, and market your business. You can focus on corporate events, social and entertainment events, or general venues suitable for any setting and party theme.
Hello, I am Akshay Patel from Albuquerque, NM the land of enchantment. I started an event rental and decor company that led me to an event venue. The View Event Center is a lavish space that is an indoor and outdoor event venue with panoramic city views. Our high-end venue with experienced staff will assist from venue decor to the smallest details entailed in making memories of a lifetime. Simply Decor, Tents, and Events ensures exclusive decor and thrives to bring your event to life through customized, elegant decor for all of their clients.
The full-service company will individually work with every client to design their event that will intrigue every eye in the room. Our company is broad that we get many different types of customers and we make many great connections with them as well. The company was making upwards of $380,000 a year.
12. Become a cake decorator
Cake decorators order baked cakes and decorate them for birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions.
The primary role of a cake decorator is designing the graphics and using cake molds and other decorating elements to create a unique appearance.
My name is Amanda Bradford and I own Bradford Bakery. I started in the culinary industry 15 years ago and have done everything from restaurants to the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday cake and celebrity catering events.
Our customers reach out to us because they know they are getting quality products that will meet the needs of their event and their dietary restrictions if they have any! We are a favorite of our local community and love that people are spreading the word about our business to their friends which we are seeing in our growing client list! Even in the past few months we have seen a 550% increase in our SEO on google and filled more orders for the community just by them recommending us and searching us on the web!
13. Become a face painter
Popular at children's parties, weddings, and even some corporate events, face painting is a great creative activity that sparks joy among people of all ages.
If you love making people happy and helping them celebrate different events in life, consider starting a face-painting business.
If you are planning to start a face painting business on a professional basis, it would be wise to take an introductory training course to learn the basics of face painting and the safety and health precautions involved in the business.
14. Start an A/V equipment rental
Buying AV equipment does not make sense unless you are an event organizer or your company runs multiple events annually. Instead, businesses prefer hiring AV equipment rather than investing thousands of dollars in buying the equipment for a single event.
An audiovisual equipment rental business offers event or party organizers the right equipment to make the events a hit. The AV equipment rental business offers bundled packages to add technical perfection to any type of events their customers are looking to host.
Starting an AV rental business can be capital intensive, but given the rising demand for AV equipment, it can be profitable. If you plan to start the AV equipment rental business, remember there is high competition. Therefore, you have to ensure aggressive marketing to attain the business objectives.
15. Start a game rental business
Parties and events are a way for attendees to indulge in fun activities. One way to enjoy the event is by playing games at the event venue. If you are passionate about event organizing and entertaining event attendees, you can turn your passion into a profitable business by launching a game rental business for events.
Game rental businesses are highly affordable to start compared to other niches and can turn to a profit much faster. Your target market can include corporate team-building events, children's parties, wedding parties, and other social events.
16. Start a holiday decorating service
Holiday decorators make the interior and exterior of businesses and homes festive. While the holiday decoration business is seasonal, it is also highly profitable and requires minimal startup investments. You do not need any special training to start the holiday decorating business. However, being creative and having experience in decorating is crucial to running a successful business.
I’m Janeen Brown! Founder and CEO of Balloon Haus LLC. In February 2018, I started Balloon Haus - the first opulent online and in-store Balloon boutique - where lifestyle and decor enter a "luxury" level of design. Our team consists of dedicated and loyal employees in Toronto, Atlanta, Detroit and South Florida destined to create iconic balloon memories to last a lifetime.
17. Become an event promoter
An event promoter is a professional responsible for marketing and promoting events such as concerts, conferences, speeches, festivals, and sporting events.
Event promoters can work as independent contractors or for a specific organization. The core responsibilities of event promoters include conducting research into the intended audience and setting up and running social media campaigns, among other duties.
To become an event promoter, develop communication skills, be proactive and learn how to organize and influence people to attend the events.
Hello! I am Mark Thomas, the managing director of the Thomas Hemingway Group of companies and CEO of EventBookings, which I founded in 2017.
Fast forward to today, we are now running the business with 25 employees and are currently on track to reach our next revenue target of $1M.
18. Become a local event artist
Event artists make the audience more centered, increase event PR, attract new artists, and build a good brand profile.
Becoming an event artist is easier than you think. All you need to do is choose a niche and work on attracting foot traffic to the events. Be creative and work on your communication skills.
19. Start a special event security
The event security business takes care of event venues’ safety and security. The event security team works towards enhancing the guest experience and takes care of security strategies, risk assessment, threat and vulnerability protection, and more services to enhance the guest’s experience.
To start an events security business, hire staff who understand crowd-handling strategies and how to respond to emergencies. A good security company commits to safeguarding event attendees’ cash and valuable items.
20. Become a mobile DJ
Mobile DJ carries their DJ kit with them and entertains clients at weddings, birthdays, and corporate parties or events. There is plenty of demand for mobile DJs, and customers will pay well to be entertained at their premises or parties.
To become a mobile DJ, first, learn the art of DJing, specifically how to DJ open-format style. If you are a beginner, enroll in online classes where you will learn the best DJing practices.
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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