Toward the beginning of the
COVID-19 pandemic, Megan Wachter stepped back from her home care profession to
take care of her father.
Needing “something fun” in her
life, Wachter and her husband, Gino, in June 2021, launched Bounce Around Bucks Party
Rentals. The couple, who live in Falls
Township, provide a variety of inflatable amusements for birthday parties, as
well as community and special events.
Her husband mentioned the idea,
knowing “a lot of people want to do outside parties and things at home,” she
said. Still, Megan was not sure it would work.
“I told him it was nuts like three
times,” she said.
The couple began researching the
idea and in November 2020, began consulting with SCORE Bucks County mentor, Joe
Lutes. Lutes helped Megan put together a business plan and revenue projections,
shared insight about insurance and encouraged her to investigate regulations
related to inflatable amusements. He also suggested that the couple establish
the business as an LLC.
“It’s a Godsend
of a program,” she said of SCORE. “To find a group of people to this level that
are willing to go above and beyond to help other people was absolutely amazing.”
Integral to getting started was
undergoing necessary state training and certifications. Megan and her husband
are both certified ride inspectors. In addition, every three years they must
take a three-day course in Harrisburg and pass a subsequent test. As an added
layer of consumer protection, Bounce Around Bucks must re-register all
equipment with the state each year.
Recognizing that Bounce Around
Bucks is not the only party and inflatable rental company in the area, Lutes
discussed how she could differentiate her business from competitors. Early
preparation paid off with 30 five-star Google reviews, according to Lutes.
“I couldn’t be happier for her and her husband and feel they will
continue to be successful,” Lutes said. “Her persistence early on with a couple
issues helped her confidence level. She clearly took my advice to heart, and it
has paid off.”
In all, Bounce Around Bucks put on 84 events in the second half of
2021, which was far more than Wachter had anticipated as a new business.
“People just kept calling me,” she said.
“It took off.”
Early on Bounce Around Bucks partnered
on events with the Yardley VFW Post 6393, the Friday Night Food Truck Rally at
Playwicki Farm in Feasterville and Langhorne Borough Harvest Day.
Bounce Around Bucks offers rentals of
six inflatables, as well as two 20x20 party tents, which seat up to 32 people.
Tables and chairs are also available, as are 20-foot water slides and projector
equipment for screening of an outdoor movie.
Her son, Avery, 16, enjoys the
flexibility of being able to work around his sports and academic schedule.
Megan thought the winter months would
provide a respite from events, giving her a chance to return to her home care
work.
However, the milder winter weather has
customers still calling. The side business she and her husband created has
taken on a life of its own.
“I did plan
on going back to work,” she said, adding that during the week she cleans and
sanitizes inflatables, inspects them, and compiles paperwork for upcoming
events. “This just kept going and going.”
Megan stays connected with Lutes as
business-related questions arise.
“I still talk to him about different things when I need help,” she said.
“We do keep in touch.”
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more
than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business
mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small
businesses.?With 50 members across the county, SCORE
Bucks?County?provides over 1,500 free mentoring services annually
to local small business owners through one-on-one counseling and
small business seminars. To stay up to date on news and happenings, join
SCORE Bucks County’s email list. Text SCOREBUCKS to 22828.
