What if your your part-time event business could become your full-time dream job? It may seem far-fetched, but many event pros on The Bash started their business as a side passion and evolved it into a thriving career. Learn from four vendors who successfully made the transition to full-time and get their top tips for making it happen.
From how they got started to when they realized they could transition to full-time, these vendors shared it all—how they prepared, the resources that helped them grow, and more. Learn about each vendor below:
9 Tips from vendors on how to take your event business from part-time to full-time.
1. Don't wait for an "Aha" moment.
Often, there is no clear sign that it is the right time to take your event business full-time—the opportunity just happens to present itself. For some of the vendors we caught up with, they realized that there was enough demand to take their side gig full-time. Others realized over time that they enjoyed their side gig more than their full-time job, and took the leap from there. For one vendor in particular, a stress-induced health scare from their full-time job caused them to rethink how they want to spend their days, which was doing what they love!
There isn't always an "aha" moment, and the opportunity to go full-time presents itself differently for everyone.
"You will know when you want to transition from part-time to full-time when you WANT to do more than you can do working only part-time."
Barbara G Meyer | Fortune Teller
2. Let passion be the driving force for going full-time.
One thing each vendor had in common was passion for what they do. They genuinely enjoy it, which has made the transition to full-time worthwhile. A couple of vendors mentioned that work-life balance can be hard as the line between work and your outside passion becomes blurred, but Joel Daniel of MarineSandpiper, said that this particular quote runs true, "If you can find a job that someone is willing to pay you for that you'd do for free, you'll never work a day in your life!"
With passion as a foundation, the transition to full-time may happen more organically, and you will likely be more motivated to do what it takes to achieve it.
"Think about how you want to spend your time in life, more than what you want to 'be' or what your job title is or how other people see you."
3. Build your savings and plan ahead financially.
All four vendors mentioned the importance of creating a nest egg savings. Some even worked a part-time job during the transition to maintain a steady income throughout the process. There are often busier and slower seasons, and it's a good idea to have money aside for the slower times.
Some vendors stressed the importance of being mindful of the financial impacts on taxes, healthcare, and saving for retirement. Self-employment requires a lot of financial research, with the potential of paying out-of-pocket expenses for benefits you were previously provided through a full-time corporate job, for example. Extensive and strategic financial planning will save many headaches later and allow you to focus on growing your business.
4. Join The Bash to expand your reach.
All four vendors mentioned that The Bash was one of the first online booking platforms they joined and has been instrumental in helping them to connect with new clients and get booked. They have even connected with repeat clients!
"I started with The Bash in 2008. I found them useful from the beginning. Their booking system was easy, payments are painless, and the reviews were posted with no problems. I tend to get 5-star reviews. Right now, I have 129 of them for a 5.0 rating."
Barbara G Meyer | Fortune Teller
"Signing up with The Bash was the best trick of all, as I soon found many more customers!"
"When I first started gigging, The Bash was the first online platform I registered with, and it has consistently been one of my main sources of gigs. The price of a profile is quite reasonable and they have a great support team as well!"
"When I started my business, I only did it part-time/freelance. The Bash provided me with resources to market myself that I otherwise wouldn't have. The leads and bookings I've obtained through The Bash have allowed me to pursue my passion as a career and made me feel validated—I've become an independent working musician! I've been a full-time professional bagpiper for 8 years and am not looking back! I have The Bash to thank for making my dream come true!
Joel Daniel of MarineSandpiper | Bagpiper
5. Put in the work to create awareness of your business.
Each vendor made an effort to get their talents in front of as many people as possible. From creating a professional website and social media accounts to booking a booth at talent showcases, contacting agencies, signing up for talent directories, cold calling and cold emailing, each vendor made a valiant effort to market their business.
When the opportunity presented itself, they also made sure to network with others in the industry. Whether that was asking for advice or building a rapport with fellow event entertainers, they made sure to make industry connections when possible.
While creating awareness of your business takes time and effort, it is a necessary step to reach clients.
6. Be patient while expanding your business.
Scaling your bookings enough to be able to go full-time takes time. There are numerous ways to advertise your business (paid and free), and finding the right marketing channels that work best for your business takes time. Starting out full-time may require booking every event you can get to ensure you have bookings on the calendar, income, and continue to build on your experience. Over time and as bookings grow, you can become more selective in choosing the bookings that will be most beneficial to your business.
"Be patient. It takes a long time—several years at least—to build up enough momentum that going full-time will provide a stable income. Make plans for supplemental income for several years to accompany your music/gig income, before going full-time."
7. Build a brand that stands out.
Whether it was with a story, costume, appearance, or skilled expertise, each vendor determined how they would stand out. For Barbara, her fortune teller costume, originally made by her friend and now a dressmaker, has added to the entertainment she provides. For Joel, his impeccable uniform as a bagpiper is important for adding to the ambiance at an event. For Shelley, her ability to accommodate specific song requests, cater to the desired atmosphere of her clients, and read the room at an event makes her a desirable harpist. For David Schwall, he created the character "Prof. Harry Hocus", the name he goes by when providing magic entertainment.
"People enjoy a character, so I began to develop my persona as "Prof. Harry Hocus" and became more versatile doing walk-around Magic as well as full one-hour shows."
8. Be confident in your pricing and talent.
Know your worth and ensure your pricing reflects it—do not lower your pricing to compete with other vendors. You can even use photos or videos of past event experiences and positive client reviews to support your pricing.
"Know your worth! When I started, I had no idea what "Fair Market Value" for a piper was. When I researched my "competition", I realized that not only was I undercutting them, but I was also not selling my full potential. Once I raised my prices to closer match other pipers, not only did I get more gigs, but I have also had many opportunities to collaborate with them."
Joel Daniel of MarineSandpiper | Bagpiper
Remember that you are the expert at what you do. If a client has a specific vision, be clear about how your talents can make it come to life. Do not be discouraged by differing expectations and make sure you are the one to set the stage.
"Everyone has their own preconceptions of what a Magician is or should be. I try to be as organized as I can and make sure that I have a discussion with each customer to help prevent any misunderstanding as I might find myself in a large banquet hall one day, and in someone's backyard the next day."
9. Continue learning to become more marketable.
One vendor mentioned that differentiating their business from competitors was a challenge they learned to overcome during the transition to full-time. Enhancing your current skills or building new ones can help you to become more marketable, stand out, and get booked for different event types. When self-employed and making your own schedule, it is important to set goals and evolve your business. That is exactly how you grow!
For example, Prof Harry Hocus invested in a live dove and a rabbit to add to his performance, which helped get him booked for children's birthday parties. Furthermore, he also added walking magic to his routine to become more versatile and get booked for various event types.
With passion, financial planning, patience, confidence, and an appetite for learning and growing, you have the ability to turn your side passion into your dream career, just like these four vendors! A great first step in growing your business is joining The Bash.
For some extra motivation, here is what vendors wish they knew before going full-time:
"That it was totally possible."
"How much FUN my career would be. How scary finding health insurance would be. That I really need to save more along the way. Ultimately, that it really can be worth it."
Barbara G Meyer | Fortune Teller
"Switching to full-time can be scary. But it is so worth it!!! Being an entrepreneur is not for everybody! Instead of working a 9-5 5-day schedule, you pretty much end up working 24/7. But you're working for yourself."
Joel Daniel of MarineSandpiper | Bagpiper
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