SPOTLIGHT ON AN INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY
Bounceroos Bouncy Castles.
YOUR NAME?
Colin
NAME OF YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY?
1) Bounceroos Bouncy Castles
www.bounceroos-bouncycastles.co.uk
and also:
2) Bounceroos testing Services
www.bounceroostestingservices.co.uk
YOUR LOCATION?
West Midlands
WHAT IS YOUR AGE?
40
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU STARTED HIRING OUT INFLATABLES?
Initially I was driving coaches, touring the UK and Europe which I did for 4 yrs, I then became an HGV driver following this I was a Drivers Training Manager for DHL.
WHAT MADE YOU START AN INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
My WIFE!!!!, she thought it would be a good idea to buy two castles and hire them out, when we got them she found out just how heavy they were and passed it all on to me!!!.. we had also had a poor experience for our young daughter’s birthday where the castle we hired arrived late, we were unable to
contact the company and the castle when inflated looked dirty!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
When I get the chance, I enjoy clay pigeon shooting, partaking in martial arts and riding my V twin Streetfighter motorbike.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
Any action movie particularly involving martial arts.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Any takeaway!!!…. not too fussy although I’m quite partial to a curry!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE UK HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Lake District
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION ABROAD?
As a family we all love going to Florida – it definitely is the sunshine state!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME?
Hawaii 5-0
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
I love to see customers’ faces when the castles goes up and the kids
are so excited ready for their special event.
I also enjoy my role as an RPII Inspector, knowing I am helping to
improve the industry.
WHAT DO YOU LEAST ENJOY ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
Collecting in the rain and the cold.
IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
I would ensure there were more regulations that every company followed by law with no misunderstandings.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HIRING FROM HELL? (or if not an unusual or funny booking?)
Thankfully – touch wood, we haven’t ever had a hiring from hell that I can think of.
Myself and the team are very reliable and conscientious which makes
things run smoothly.
However, in regards to an unusual or funny booking – then we have had a few of those.
We once had a hire on a glorious summers day, all seemed ‘normal’ at first until the customer asked me to put the castle over the trampoline that had been dug into the garden! – perhaps they thought it would be extra bouncy!
Another bizarre hire was where an Eastern European client had been cooking a pig in the ground for his party, on our arrival he asked if we could place the castle on top of his “oven” !!
This “oven” was a type of pig roast but was in the ground and covered in leaves. They had taken it out but the ground was still red hot !!
DO YOU HAVE ANY USEFUL TIPS OR IDEAS THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH THE OTHER BIHA MEMBERS.
As a BCN (www.bouncycastlenetwork.com) member, I have found their online booking system a major success in helping me run the day to day business of hiring. I would recommend their services to anyone.
My second tip is this: Manners cost nothing! – be polite and courteous at all times with customers, suppliers etc.
HOW HAS THE BIHA HELPED YOU IN YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
It was a great starting point to find out the vital information required in the early days, I now refer to the site and the forum often to keep up to date with news and tips that are always useful.
Regards
Colin and Team
Web: www.bounceroos-bouncycastles.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bouncycastlehirewarwickshire
Testing Services: www.bounceroostestinservices.co.uk
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Thank you Colin for taking time out of your hire and testing business to answer these questions – it’s greatly appreciated.