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Wirral entrepreneur celebrates start-up success

A Cheshire mother is leading the way for stay-at-home parents seeking commercial success after launching her own private hire party business in the Wirral.

Katie Ainsworth, of Childer Thornton, commenced trading as The Celebration Tent this year, with help from one of the UK’s leading business start-up support specialists, Blue Orchid. Her business offers a decorated five metre bell tent for hire at private events such as children’s parties, baby showers, and other special gatherings. The tent makes the perfect hideaway for a party’s entertainment act, is frequently booked for sleepovers, and has even been used for weddings.

Katie struck upon the idea for her own party hire service while searching for something out-of-the-ordinary for her son’s first birthday party. She discovered that a few companies across Cheshire offered a similar product, but none were based in the Wirral.

A former research and project manager for the NHS, Katie had taken voluntary redundancy from her long-term role in 2011 to coincide with maternity leave. A business that allowed her to work from home and which complemented her role as a full-time mum seemed too good to pass up.

Approaching the local job centre to discuss her idea, Katie was referred to Blue Orchid’s start-up services and assigned an experienced business advisor. After devising a business plan, Katie attended a series of training workshops on areas like marketing and social media in order to grow her skills. She received vital one-to-one support in the lead-up to her business launch.

Reflecting on the training and support she accessed, Katie Ainsworth said: “Every time I went to a Blue Orchid workshop I knew I’d completed another stage, and that I was one step closer to launching my business. My business advisor, Debbie Clayton-Priestly, was invaluable in developing the finished Celebration Tent concept. She was able to support me through the process of securing a grant from Cheshire County Council, which was especially welcome in light of set-up costs such as website development and insurance. Debbie’s advice kept me focused, and seeing other people’s plans develop gave me more confidence in mine. Blue Orchid’s support has also allowed me to expand my business quite rapidly.

“The Celebration Tent has been part of some great events over the last few months, and the summer party period means I’m very busy now running in to autumn. I’m in regular contact with Blue Orchid as things continue to progress, and would certainly suggest that other people looking to start their own business look at using its start-up support.”

Other budding entrepreneurs across the North West can access one to one business advice and support through a new service called Start Up Now, which is delivered by Blue Orchid. The service is centred in local venues with business advisors based in the community to offer a complete package of support to help individuals start up their business.

For more information about the services provided by Blue Orchid, please visit http://www.blueorchid.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by PR Agency One .