Redundancy and trying to make my side hustle work

[hairyunicorn]

So, I’m being made redundant from my job after 18 months with the company. I’ve got my consultation meeting this afternoon and, honestly, I’m feeling pretty gutted and anxious about it all.

I’m already applying for every job I can find, but in the meantime, I’m trying to think practically about other income streams too.

I’ve got a little side business doing children's parties. I’ve got the website, branding, equipment, and everyone who sees the idea seems to love it (I teach them to make soaps and bath bombs). The problem is… I have no idea how to actually reach parents and get bookings consistently!

I’m not naturally salesy and I feel a bit awkward posting everywhere. I’ve tried a bit of Instagram/Facebook, but it’s hard to know where the right audience is.

For those of you who’ve run small businesses aimed at parents/kids, where did your bookings actually come from? Facebook groups? Schools? PTAs? Word of mouth? Paid ads? Something else?

I’d really appreciate any honest advice from parents about where you discover local party companies and what makes you actually book them.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed today, so any practical tips would mean a lot

Word of mouth, if you get a booking make sure you leave a heap of leaflets for the mums and dads to pick up and party bags with contact details. You need more activities on offer to get you a bigger range of customers and to allow for repeat custom. Are you going to people's houses or using halls? Could you get leaflets displayed in places like local libraries and sports centres.

Firstly, I’m really sorry you’re facing redundancy. It is completely understandable that you’re feeling overwhelmed, especially with the consultation process which can be scary.
I also want to congratulate you for thinking outside the box. You already have much more in place than many people who are considering starting a side business, and soap and bath-bomb parties sound like something children would genuinely enjoy.
I work as a Career and Business Clarity Coach, helping people recognise how they can use their existing skills and turn an idea into something that can generate income. From what you’ve described, I don’t think your main issue is the idea itself. It is finding a simple and consistent way to get it in front of local parents.
I would focus on a few practical things rather than trying to post everywhere:

Yes set up a free Google Business Profile so you appear when parents search for children’s parties in your area.

Have you run any parties? If not, can you offer to friends and family, and they only cover the cost of the raw materials.

If you have run parties approach them and ask for a Google review

Approach local schools and PTAs. You could offer a party leaflet for their newsletter or suggest a bath-bomb workshop as a school fundraising activity.

Build relationships with local party venues, community halls, cafés and children’s activity providers that might recommend you.

Attend local fetes and run a stall with elements of what you do.
If possible can you set up a free trial session, and then ask for a review and permission to share photographs.

Approach the local WI and see if you can run a session for them.

Post in local Facebook groups when people ask for party recommendations, rather than constantly advertising.

Make your offer very easy to understand: suitable ages, the area you cover, number of children, what is included, the price and how to book.

You could also run one introductory workshop locally, take plenty of photographs and offer attendees a small incentive if they book a full party or recommend you to a friend. For this type of business, I suspect local recommendations and partnerships will bring better-quality enquiries than trying paid advertising immediately.

You don’t need to be “salesy”. You are simply helping local parents discover an enjoyable party option they may not know exists. Good luck with both the consultation and the business. You have already created something with real potential.

I agree that this idea will hardly make any money if thats the point of it. If it's a hobby and a handful of bookings every few months will suffice then fine. But the idea of making any kind of acceptable income from this is pie in the sky.

You have some great ideas now. I would contact Beavers/Cubs as well, because boys make things too, and near Mothers Day or Christmas it would be a good thing for them to do.

Leave leaflets in community centres, and definitely attend some PTA events at local schools, maybe do a demonstration, or a stall where they can make a small thing , that is what the local crafts person does here.

Also, adults can be interested in this as well, so you could hold some evening or weekend events for them too.

Make sure that you charge enough money for your sessions.