PARTY YOUR WAY TO BUSINESS SUCCESS

EMPORIUM PARTIES VICTORIA LLEWELLYN

After a series of office jobs with a strong administration bias, Kent based Victoria Llewellyn’s career was a million miles away from working with children.  As a mother of four children, she certainly boasted a minefield of practical knowledge in relation to dealing with kids but, it was only a chance meeting with the owner of Emporium Parties that led her to running her own successful children’s entertainment business

Like so many mums, Victoria had always had to combine the demanding role of motherhood with the need to bring in an income to make a contribution towards the ‘running costs’ of a family of six.   Her first experience of Emporium Parties dates back to when the business was run as a party supplies shop, which also provided hair-braiding services for young girls.  Victoria helped out in the Emporium shop once a week and as the business evolved from a shop to a fixed party venue to becoming a popular mobile children’s party provider, so did Victoria’s role.

From an early age, Victoria had a passion for dancing – and had even toyed with the idea of pursuing a dance related career.  So when the Emporium Parties party concept was first launched, offering children from 3 years to teenagers, an exciting music and dance themed party experience, Victoria quickly rediscovered her dancing feet and excelled in her new role as chief party animal!    “Helping out at parties gave me the chance to get my dancing ‘fix’ every week – and even get paid for it! I soon realised that running a kids party was something I had natural flair for, although I am not ordinarily a ‘front’ person, I come alive with a microphone in my hand and can have the children eating out of hand within minutes” says Victoria “better still, I absolutely loved the idea that I was helping to create those special childhood memories that would last a lifetime” continues Victoria.

Having effectively run the ‘trial franchise’ for Emporium Parties for two years, Victoria felt it was time to take a leap of faith and commit 100% to taking ownership of her own Emporium Parties franchise. ‘For a long time, I had combined being a mum with a series of part-time jobs which included Emporium Parties, but I felt ready to channel all my energy into the children’s party business. I had first hand knowledge of the success of the Emporium Parties ‘product’ having had the privilege of running countless themed parties and being on the receiving end of some truly wonderful feedback.  Personal fulfillment and the need for flexible working patterns to fit around my children, rather than earning potential have always been my primary drivers, but even I could not fail to ignore the clear financial rewards to be gained from becoming a franchisee. I became the official Emporium Parties franchisee for Maidstone and Medway last year and can honestly say, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.  In just under 12 months, I’ve seen the business triple in size – and this is during one of the worst recessions this country has ever experienced so things can only get better!”  says Victoria.

But clearly, as with any new business start up, there are always going to be some trade off’s – in Emporium’s case it is the need to accept working at weekends, when the majority of parties take place.  “My husband and children have always been incredibly supportive and understand that I need to be ‘on duty’ for a proportion of the weekend.  The flip side to this of course, is that if the school rings to advise that one of my children is sick, I am able to juggle around the administration / sales tasks associated with running the business so that I am always available and this is of paramount importance to me.  I think every mother’s nightmare is the notion that they are not able to be there for their kids in their hour of need and with my flexible working hours, I can honestly say, that never happens.  Over the weekend, my husband can cover the ‘parenting’ role, leaving me free to party!”.

So what advice would Victoria give to anyone considering running an Emporium Parties franchise?  “Take notice of people who’ve been there and done it, and accept that whilst the ability to entertain children is desirable, this is a serious commercial opportunity which means that as a franchisee your commitment should ultimately be about running a successful business, not hosting parties every weekend.  I currently have a team of six people, including myself and I have come to appreciate that, my skills and experience are now best utilised in developing the business, not taking personal responsibility for each and every party in my territory.  Common sense, passion and enthusiasm for the task in hand are definite qualities required for this type of franchise, if you have these then the revenue will naturally follow” says Victoria.

When asked about the most satisfying aspect of running an Emporium Parties franchise, Victoria has no hesitation in referring to the time she hosted a party for a six-year-old girl.  The young lady in question had been desperate to get her hands on the expensive microphone and eventually, Victoria relented and said she could say a few words at the end of the party.  “I was blown away when she said, entirely of her own volition ‘I just want to say a big thank you to the ladies from Emporium Parties for giving me the best birthday party I’ve ever had’ – for me you can’t get better than that and quite simply, I think I’ve got the best job in the world!”.