Starting up a Chocolate Fountain and other WOW factor services/products for hire business

[TheStartUpGuy]

Hi UKBF Friends,

I hope everyone's well and doing good in your chosen business field.

I really need some advice/tips on a business idea I had been contemplating for a while now.

I am interested in setting up a events hire business mainly specialising in, Chocolate Fountains, Fruit Palm trees, Fruit Display Tables, Candy Carts/Buffets, Candy/Floss Carts, LOVE LIGHTS and many other interesting Wow factor producing items for the Wedding, Celebratory and Corporate events market.

I come from an events related background mainly venues, Ideally I would like to set up my own business as I would prefer working for myself and it would make things much easier with my family life too. I have a young family and the missus also works which makes babysitting logistics very complex.

So a small business is the best solution for us. Anyway enough of me rambling on about my background

Now, here are the questions and I need answers and feedback from people who are already in this industry or if you have some knowledge about this type of business.

1. This type of business has been around for years, do you think it is a saturated market?

2. Is there still a market demand for this type of service ( I am London based if that helps ) ?

3. What sort of capital outlay would I be looking at? ( I estimated around £10k including a good website with full SEO service, I already have a large vehicle that could be used to transport the goods for hire to the venues ).

4. Any other WOW factor products/services you could recommend me to add to my list that won't break the bank to invest in?

5. People who are already in this business, from your experience what do you sell more I.e. Choco Fountains, Fruit Displays etc ?

6. People who create fruit palm trees and fruit display tables, I understand it needs to be prepared on the day to keep it fresh. How do you actually transport the fruits from the kitchen to the venue, do you keep it in a large container?

I also wanted to know how others are getting on in this industry. Your honest advice/tips/feedback much appreciated and hopefully one day I also get the chance to assist you in someway with business advice/tips.

Many thanks for reading my post and enjoy your Sunday.

Happy Mothers Day!

 

[silentjay]

Google's getting 300 searches p/m for chocolate fountain hire in London. 115k related pages and very high paid search competition. So seems like demand is v low and completion v high.

An ex of mine worked for a guy who was running of these types of business, but he had about 20 other ventures and it was just a side line gig

 

[TheStartUpGuy]

Thanks SilentJay for your advice.

Are there others on this forum running similar type of operation that I am planning on embarking soon. Please come forward and let me know how you are finding this industry?

 

[HazelC]

Hiya,

I'm in agreement with @silentjay - the other people that I know use this as a sideline to a main business / fulltime job.

For example I have a client that runs a photobooth business and they offer chocolate fountains and other 'wow' products as add-ons.

Meanwhile I have a friend who got married two years ago, she bought the LOVE letters and now hires them out at weekends as she has a full time job during the week.

I know these aren't the answers you hoped for, sorry!

Hazel.

 

[TheStartUpGuy]

Hello HazelC,

Thanks for your input, I appreciate all the information I am getting on this thread from everyone.

It is very true what you have said, most of these businesses are sidelines and additional services to an already existing business.

I am also considering adding a catering service as an additional service to the small birthday parties/kids parties/wedding/co-operate market.

Not in a big way, just catering for upto 150 max.
I am interested in small ops with a small team.

My wife and Mother in law are both excellent cooks. They are not chefs by profession but they're just absolutely gifted when it comes to cooking.

I have experience in sales and running events, so there is potential there.

Any further information or ideas would be much appreciated my fellow UKBF friends.

Thanks in advance!