If you love decorating, organizing, and helping people celebrate special moments, starting an event decorating business might be the perfect fit. You’ll work with clients to plan and decorate for parties, weddings, birthdays, graduations, and more.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to start an event decorating business, from choosing a niche to promoting your services.
Step 1: Choose Your Niche
Before jumping in, decide which kind of events you want to focus on. People are more likely to hire a specialist than someone who does a little bit of everything. Some niche ideas include:
- Weddings
- Birthday parties
- Baby showers
- Corporate events
- Graduations
- Holiday parties
Focusing on a niche helps you stand out and attract your ideal customers.
Step 2: Make a Business Plan
A business plan helps you stay organized and plan for expenses, income, and growth. Include details like:
- Target market
- Services you’ll offer
- Pricing
- Estimated costs
- Goals
- Marketing strategies
It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, but having a plan makes everything easier.
Step 3: Create Your Website
A website is one of your most important marketing tools. Use it to show off your work, list your services and pricing, and provide contact info. Add high-quality photos and client testimonials. Make sure it looks clean and works well on phones.
Step 4: Build a Portfolio
If you're just starting out, offer to decorate for family and friends. Take lots of great pictures and use them in your portfolio. Even doing a few free events in exchange for photos is worth it. Let your work speak for itself.
Step 5: Set Up Social Media
Start with the platforms your audience uses most. Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest work great for event decorating. Post regularly and use hashtags. Share photos, client reviews, and behind-the-scenes moments.
You can also gather event decoration business ideas by checking out other pages in the party decor business. The more active you are, the more people you’ll reach.
Step 6: Plan Your Pricing
Your prices should cover costs, time, and profit. Think about:
- Type of event
- Time and materials needed
- Experience level
Be careful not to overprice or undercharge. For example, factor in costs for party supplies, decorations, chair covers, centerpieces, and fabric items like sashes or buckles.
Step 7: Be Financially Ready
Starting a party decorating business requires some money upfront. You can:
- Apply for a small business loan
- Use your savings
- Try crowdfunding
- Look for investors
Make sure you understand your budget and financial needs before spending.
Step 8: Set a Meeting Place
Choose where you’ll meet clients. If you have a quiet space at home, use that. You could also meet at a coffee shop or rent a small office space when needed.
Step 9: Stock Up on Supplies
You’ll need decorations, lighting, linens, balloons, and tools to do your job well. Some essentials include:
- Items like ladders, cords, glue guns
- A reliable car, van, or truck for transporting items
- Wholesale chair covers
- Chair sash buckles
You can find many of these at CV Linens™, a popular source for decorators.
Step 10: Hire Help When Needed
As your decorating business grows, you may need extra hands. Hire helpers for big events or set up a team for regular work. This helps you take on more jobs and work faster.
How to Start a Decorating Business (Including Home Decorating Business)
If you’re interested in offering decorating services for homes as well as events, the steps are similar. A home decorating business might focus more on staging homes for sale or seasonal interior styling. Choose your services, build a strong portfolio, and use local marketing to grow your customer base.
Whether it’s a party or a home, focus on creativity and customer service.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Party Decorating Business?
Starting a party decorating business can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000 depending on your scale. Here’s what to consider:
- Supplies and inventory: $300–$2,000
- Website and branding: $100–$500
- Marketing and ads: $100–$1,000
- Transportation and tools: $200–$1,000
Start small and grow over time. Rent or borrow equipment when you can to save money.
How Do I Start My Own Decorating Business?
Start by choosing a niche, setting up your website, and building a portfolio. Then promote your services through social media and word-of-mouth. Make sure your pricing covers your costs and allows for growth. Stay consistent, learn as you go, and always aim to improve your skills.
How to Market an Event Decor Business
Marketing is key to growing your business. Try these simple tactics:
- Share before-and-after photos on social media
- Ask happy clients for reviews
- Hand out business cards
- List your business on Google Maps
- Network with venues and event planners
Use your creativity not just in decorating, but also in how you market your services.
Starting your own decorating business is hard work—but also rewarding. Stay focused, build relationships, and let your creativity shine. With time and effort, your party decorating business can grow into something amazing.
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