Answers3

SPOTLIGHT ON AN INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY – Darren Latimer of
> Innovents.co.uk .
>
> YOUR NAME?
>
> Darren Latimer
>
> NAME OF YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY?
>
> Innovents – www.innovents.co.uk
>
> YOUR LOCATION?
>
> Crowthorne, Berkshire
>
> YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
>
> The Rocky Movies (Sylvester Stallone)
>
> The Karate Kid Movies
>
> (I find them highly inspirational)
>
> YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
>
> Traditional Roast Dinner
>
> YOUR HOBBIES?
>
> Swimming, Computer Gaming (Xbox), fishing.
>
> WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THE BOUNCY CASTLE HIRE BUSINESS?
>
> I have always been a mobile DJ, so have always been interested
> in the entertainment industry. A friend of mine owned a helium
> balloon business. He hired out bouncy castles in his spare time
> as a side-line. He told me about the huge income he was getting
> from hiring them out – and so I thought I would buy some and
> hire them out as well. The rest is history….
>
> IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE
> INDUSTRY?
>
> Stop any rain during hire days, and get hire prices increased
> across the board.
>
> WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE INDUSTRY?
>
> Having very happy, repeat customers who welcome me back and are
> very friendly towards me.
>
> As a keen gardener, I also enjoy seeing peoples back gardens
> especially where there are interesting landscaping features such
> as waterfalls, lakes etc.
>
> WHAT DO YOU LEAST LIKE ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE INDUSTRY?
>
> The rain and overgrown gardens where I have to clear away
> debris, garden litter and bushes before I can even start setting
> up the inflatable.
>
> HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HIRING FROM HELL?
>
> Yes, during one extremely hot heatwave a few years ago, I had a
> booking to do for a local school. We agreed a delivery time of
> 12 noon (sharp) . As it was so hot, I was slower than normal,
> and arrived 5 minutes late. Unfortunately, they had just closed
> the school gates. This meant that I couldn’t get access to the
> school field and had to haul all the heavy equipment over a
> quarter of a mile.
>
> It was exhausting, and what didn’t help matters was that the
> school fete organisers kept hassling me while I was struggling
> with the equipment and asking me why I had been late!!
>
> Not surprisingly, the school never used me again.
>
> DO YOU HAVE ANY USEFUL TIPS OR IDEAS THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH
> THE OTHER BIHA MEMBERS.
>
> Yes, I have three tips to share. Firstly, always be really
> happy, friendly and nice to customers whatever the situation.
> They will remember you for this, and be much more likely to book
> you again.
>
> Secondly, charge more for your inflatable hire!! Many hire
> companies are too cheap, way too cheap! If you charge more
> money, then you will get better quality customers who will think
> that you are more reliable.
>
> Cheaper companies tend to pick up the lower quality customers,
> while I pick up premium customers because I charge more.
>
> Thirdly, cheaper hire companies tend to compete purely on
> price. My company offers a “bouncy castle experience”.
>
> You can price-match a product but you can’t price match an
> experience!!
>
> HOW HAS THE BIHA HELPED YOU IN YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
>
> The BIHA (including its forum) is the only resource to get tips
> and share ideas with other bouncy castle hire companies on an
> organised basis.
>
> I really enjoy reading all the info on the two websites and
> learning from others in the industry.
>
> I think the BIHA offers an invaluable service to bouncy castle
> hire companies.
>
> —————————————————————–
> ————————————————-
>
> Thank you Darren for taking time out of your business to answer
> these questions – it’s greatly appreciated.