Online balloon and party decor business

Parents planning birthdays, people sending gifts, and small event organisers.

You mark up balloons and decor items and charge for delivery. Personalised and themed bundles usually earn more than single balloons.

• Creative eye for colour and display
• Customer service
• Social media and photography
• Organising orders and deliveries

• Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council that you can run a business from home
• Helium cylinders need safe storage and handling, so check supplier guidance and your home insurance
• Consider public liability and product liability insurance
• Helium balloons are not suitable for sending by post, so plan local delivery
• Check rules on balloon releases and foil balloons near power lines, and keep to safety labelling for children's products
• Check whether you need to register for VAT once turnover grows

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on how much stock, helium equipment, packaging and website set-up you choose to begin with. These are estimates, so start small and build your range as orders come in.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many orders you take, your prices and how far you deliver. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for the cost of balloons, helium and packaging.

Check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council that you can run a business from home. Also check safe helium cylinder storage and your home insurance, consider public liability and product liability cover, and plan local delivery for helium balloons.