How to Start a Costume Rental Business
The owner of a costume rental store often only works part time until the business grows. The demand for a rental can depends on the time of year and the types of costumes the store offers. Building a website can make it easy for customers to find out if a costume is available to rent.
- Find a location for your costume rental business. Look for a commercial space that meets your size requirements and find out the monthly lease payment. Try to find a location that is easily accessible for your costume rental customers. Once you know the address, you can apply for a business license.
- Set up your business bank account and find a costume supplier. Ask the supplier to send you a catalog so you can determine the different types of costumes to offer in your store. Set up a line of credit with the supplier as well.
- Decide whether to hire employees to help you operate your rental business or to run it on your own. Order the costumes you want to offer and set up your store. Make sure to include a changing room area so customers can try on different costumes.
- Figure out how much to charge customers for renting a costume. Decide how long to allow a customer to use the costume for the rental fee. The easiest way to set the price is by charging a flat daily rate.
- Start to advertise your costume rental business. Place an ad in the paper and in the phone book. Start a website so potential customers can see the costumes that you offer. Include the availability of each costume on the website to reduce the amount of phone inquiries you get. If a costume is unavailable, type in when it will be back in stock so a customer will know when to try and reserve it.