Louise Broadhurst: Perfect Little Parties

Perfect Little Parties organise birthday parties for children up to nine years old. Find out how Louise Broadhurst turned her daughter's idea into a thriving business...

When 5-year-old Erin Broadhurst grows up she can take some of the credit for her mum’s business idea. Nuneaton-based Louise Broadhurst had the idea for launching Perfect Little Parties following the success of her little girl’s birthday party.

She attended the Women Enterprise Programme and Imagining Growth course run by WBDA and two years later her business is flourishing. (You can access these programmes online at www.wmwomensbusinesscentre.com or face-to-face, check the Events page.)

Photograph shows Lousie on the left with Mina Sodha her business advisor.

How the business came about

"I was made redundant after working for Barclays for 17 years and I didn’t know what I was going to do next,” Louise said. “I organised my daughter’s third birthday party which was basically a traditional party with lots of games and everyone said how much they had enjoyed it.

"I already had a first aid certificate and experience of working with children since I have been a guide leader for 12 years and early in my maternity leave I had taken a food hygiene course.

“Whilst putting together my business plan, research showed that it would be popular to organise traditional party games and activities but also offer food and party bags. This is because parents want an individual party with minimum hassle for themselves. I attended the 4-day WEP organised by the WBDA to get my business off the ground and then the 2-day IG because I was looking at setting up a franchise but I have decided against that up at the moment.”

The 37-year-old has urged other women to follow her example, "It was a great opportunity to meet women in the same boat as me because when you become self-employed it is difficult if your confidence is low and these courses give you invaluable advice and lift your spirits,” Louise said. “I couldn't sleep for four days afterwards because I was still  buzzing with ideas!”

Minal Sodha from WBDA said Louise was currently holding an average of three parties a week for children aged up to nine mainly in Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire. “It is amazing how many people have a great idea for a business but just need a bit of help and encouragement to get started,” she said.

For futher information on Perfect Little Parties you can email Louise on plp@talktalk.net