How to start a balloon business from home

A balloon decor business is one of the few event businesses you can start from a spare room with a small budget. The skills are learnable, demand comes from every birthday, wedding, baby shower and brand launch, and you don't need a shopfront. What separates hobbyists from profitable businesses is the boring part: registration, insurance and pricing.

#1. Learn the core styles

Start with three styles clients ask for most: organic garlands, arches and columns. Practise until you can build each one at a predictable speed, because your build time is the biggest number in your pricing.

#2. Get the basic kit

• An electric balloon inflator and a hand pump
• A balloon sizer and tape measure
• Garland strip, glue dots and fishing line
• One arch frame and one column base
• A stock of neutral and popular colours from one or two professional brands
• Storage boxes away from heat and sunlight

Add helium only when you have bookings that need it.

#3. Register the business

US: Many owners start as a sole proprietor or form an LLC. Check your city or county for a business licence, and your state for sales tax rules on decor and rentals, which differ between states.

UK: Most start as a sole trader. Register for Self Assessment with HMRC by 5 October after the end of the tax year you started trading in. VAT registration becomes compulsory above £90,000 taxable turnover in a rolling 12 months.

Check whether your lease, mortgage or home insurance allows a business from home. Both regions have extra rules if clients visit your home.

#4. Get insured before your first job

You'll be working in venues and homes, with ladders, weights and helium. Get general liability insurance in the US, or public liability insurance in the UK, before your first install. See Balloon business insurance.

#5. Price for profit from day one

New artists often start cheap to win clients, then struggle to raise prices. Build your prices from real costs (balloons, pops, time, supplies, travel, wear) plus a margin. See How to price a balloon garland.

#6. Set your terms and deposits

Write simple terms covering deposits, cancellations and weather, and take a deposit on every booking. See Balloon business terms and conditions.

#7. Find your first clients

Build a portfolio with styled shoots at home, a friend's party or a local café. Post every install on Instagram, set up a Google Business Profile, and introduce yourself to local venues, cake makers and photographers who can refer you.

Sarvyam gives new balloon businesses a costed price list, quotes clients approve on their phone, and deposits from day one. Start free at sarvyam.com.