Starting a business requires an upfront investment. That’s why many new businesses seek grants and other forms of funding to help them get off the ground. If you’re thinking about starting an event planning business, let’s explore your funding options.
Before Seeking Funding For Your Event Planning Business
Before obtaining funding for your event planning business, you’ll need to do some preliminary work. You’ll need to create a business plan and determine how much funding you need.
You should also open a business bank account. This will make it easier to track your expenses and keep your finances separate from your personal assets.
Common Funding Options for Event Planning Companies
There are numerous business financing and funding options available for an event planning company. The most common ones are:
Bootstrapping
Bootstrapping an event planning company is often the best option for new entrepreneurs, as it doesn’t require any outside funding. With this option, you can use your personal savings to cover initial costs such as market research, business licenses, and website development.
This option has the advantage of being relatively low-risk since you’re not borrowing money from anyone else. However, it can sometimes be difficult to start and sustain a business without any outside investment.
Debt Financing
Personal Loans from Family & Friends
Another common financing option is loans from family and friends. This can be a good option if you don’t have enough money to cover your start-up costs. However, it’s important to establish a clear repayment schedule and to make payments on time to avoid damaging relationships.
Business Loans from SBA or Local Bank
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a variety of loans for event planning businesses, including start-up loans, new equipment financing, working capital loans, and real estate loans. These loans are issued through local banks, and they come with relatively low-interest rates. There are also traditional bank loans and lines of credit that can be used to fund your event planning business.
Business Credit Card
A company credit card is a good option for financing event planning businesses. It allows you to borrow money up to a certain limit, and you can use the card to pay for expenses such as marketing, supplies, and travel.
The advantage of a credit card is that it can help you build your credit history and score as a business. However, you should make sure to pay off your balance each month to avoid accruing interest charges.
Equity Financing
Angel Investors
Angel investors are individuals or groups who invest in early-stage event planning businesses in exchange for an equity stake in your company. This can be a good option for business owners who want to grow their business quickly, as angel investors can provide financing and mentorship.
However, angel investors often expect a high return on their investment, so you’ll need to be prepared to give up a 10% – 30% share of your event planning company.
Other Funding Options
There are a number of other funding options available for event planning businesses, including crowdfunding and grants. Crowdfunding allows you to raise money from individual investors through platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo. Grants are available from a variety of sources, including the government and private foundations.
Create Your Business Plan
As mentioned above, for many of these options, you will need a solid event planning business plan to make a strong case to potential investors or lenders. A well-written business plan can help you secure funding and grow your business.
Summary
There are a variety of grants and other funding options available for event planning businesses. The most common ones include bootstrapping, loans from family and friends, business loans from the SBA or local bank, and equity financing from angel investors. Other options include crowdfunding and grants. To increase your chances of success, make sure to put together a strong business plan.