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Case Study - Bounceroo |
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| How did I start the company and how much did I invest? |
It’s difficult to know where to start really, but basically back in 2005 I was looking for a new challenge.
In that year my mother in law was 70 so we decided to have a party for her in the back garden and as a result we purchased a Gala tent marquee,
everyone had a great time, during the party one person came up and said that the marquee was great and I should consider hiring it out. I later
spoke to the wife who said that I was mad but I did some research and found that there were lots of companies doing the large traditional
marquees but very few for the small garden party type events. So I decided to start a small business hiring children’s bouncy castles and small
marquees. I did some local advertising and because I knew the different sizes of marquees I could get from Gala tent, if I had an enquiry for a
particular size I would buy one and do the job and that is how I built up my stock of marquees to the point where I can now offer 15 different
sizes and I have up to 5 of the most popular sizes.
To set up the business cost £6,199.39 but that did include over £3000 for the bouncy castles and as the enquiries came in I purchased the
necessary equipment to do it. I have tried to add an additional service each year and we are now able to offer not only bouncy castles and
marquees but banqueting hire, mobile bars, Disco’s Hot & cold catering, dance floors and two members of my family have trained and become
wedding balloon decorators. I have found that over the last couple of years we are being asked to do more and more weddings so we now offer
wedding linings etc.
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| Why would an organiser choose us over a competitor? |
I think price nowadays is very important and the fact that we now offer just about everything a customer would want
in one place, a one stop shop if you like. I know other companies do a similar thing but most supply one element themselves and sub contract the
rest where as we actually provide all the services ourselves so we keep control of our high standards.
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| Plans for the future? |
I would like to buy a large frame tent for the bigger weddings rather than having to put together more than one
marquee to achieve the same size four large 12m x 6m marquees with three slightly smaller ones for catering etc is our record to beat. I think
we are going to match that this year with a wedding in Kent. I would also like to build the corporate customer side of the business because
although we have done work for the likes of the local councils and NHS most of our present work comes from the private sector.
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| Events/logistical issues? |
There have been so many events of all different kinds each normally comes with its own set of problems whether it be
timings or available space. One of the most challenging was one that was a corporate party for local business in Norwich. They required Three 6m
wide x 4m marquees erected on a flat roof situated at least three stories up. There was no access for us through the building with the equipment,
therefore we had to set up scaffolding with ladders etc at the rear of the premises and manhandled every pole etc up to the roof and obviously
back down again. We received the below from the organiser.
“Asked to provide marquee covering on a roof terrace for a party, where space and weight restrictions applied. Service was
exceptional, from the site visit to discuss requirements, to the erection and dismantling of the equipment. Bounceroo were very very professional,
helpful and friendly and we will definitely use them again and would not hesitate in recommending them.”
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| How will the industry hold up in 2011? |
I think the industry will be fine of course increased VAT etc doesn’t help any business and people will have tighter
budgets but I think overall the event industry will be here for some time to come.
Gary Strangeman
Bounceroo The Garden Party Specialists
Poppy View,
Buxton Road,
Cawston,
NORWICH,
NR10 4HN
Tel : 01603 879831
www.bounceroo.co.uk
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