Why Event Planning Could Be the Perfect Job for a Mom
If you are a stay at home mom whose children are starting to get more independent, you may be looking to get back into the workforce. It’s a good idea to find a job that allows for a little bit of flexibility in the hours you choose to work.
There are several jobs that might foot the bill, but if you are the type who lives for the special moments in life and has a creative flair, the job of event planner could be right for you.
Read on to find out more about event planning and how you can make it your new career.
Job Description
An event planner helps a host plan an event by taking charge of many responsibilities including the following:
* Finding a venue
* Finding and coordinating with vendors including caterers, florists, entertainment, bakers, etc.
* All aspects of decorating
* Seating charts
* The event itinerary
* Dealing with any unexpected problems that may arise
Event planners should be creative ‘people persons’. They should be able to think on their feet and solve problems quickly.
If you are starting your own business, you will determine the amount of money you charge. Self employed planners generally work on a per fee basis that they set based on experience and location. Event planners can look forward to more opportunities if they are located in a large, metropolitan area.
Education Requirements
Of course, anyone can start their own event planning company without having any sort of relevant education but if you are able to show clients a degree, it will be more impressive, and it will help you get more jobs.
Degrees in hospitality that focus on event planning and management are preferred.
If you are a mom, going back to school can be an easy step if you enroll in an online program. Online colleges tend to be more affordable and you can go at your own pace when it comes to the scheduling of lessons.
Getting Your Business Off the Ground
If you feel you are ready to start launching your event planning business, there are several things you will need to do to get it off the ground. Here are some things you need to start thinking about:
Determining Your Target Audience: As an event planner, you may think it’s best to do as many types of events as possible. However, finding a niche will allow you to build a reputation specializing in a specific aspect of event planning. Once you find your clientele you can consider expanding.
In general, events can be divided into 4 categories:
* Celebrational
* Educational
* Promotional
* Commemorative
Decide which one you are best able to relate to and determine which works best for you.
Develop a Business Plan: A business plan is something that should be formally written out to serve as a guideline for yourself and the people you work with. It should summarize what your business is about, and it should also include the following:
* Customer analysis: Define your target audience
* Competitive analysis: Determine who your competitors are and what sets your business apart
* Marketing plan: This involves customer acquisition and how you will go about getting the word out about your business
* Operations: Think about how your company will operate considering staff, management team, salaries, necessary supplies, etc.
Tackle the Legal Side: An event planning business can be easy to get off the ground once you find your first client, but if you don’t have your legal stuff in order, you can be facing hefty fines down the line.
Be sure to get your company registered with the state you reside in and get the necessary insurance.
Obtain Start Up Funding: Obtaining start up funding can be challenging. Most businesses will go to banks and lenders for loans, but this will result in interest rates that add to expenses.
Other options include turning to friends and family for funding or starting an online fundraising campaign.
Develop Your Resource Network: Many people turn to event planners because they know that they can find them the best vendors, often at discounted prices.
If you are starting your event planning company, one of the first things you should be doing is looking for vendors that can provide catering, musical entertainment, decorations, security and more.
Begin Marketing: Once you have everything else in place, you can begin marketing. Marketing can be done in several ways, but social media is an inexpensive and effective place to start. Coupons, mailers and ads are other means of advertising that you might want to consider.
Starting your own business can be difficult, especially if you are a mother looking to get back into the workplace. But event planning can be a fun and vibrant career that allows you to create your own schedule and enjoy a good work life balance.
What careers do you recommend for mothers?