From Career Break to Booking Streak: How Northern Ireland Mums Are Building Mini Empires in the Events Game 

Northern Ireland Mum’s let’s say it out loud: 

You took a break from your career, maybe to raise kids, maybe to care for someone, maybe because your job sucked the life out of you. And now you’re staring down the barrel of what next? Northern Ireland Mum’s are unstoppable! 

Let me throw something at you that’s not getting nearly enough attention: 

Starting a small party or events business. 

Yeah — balloons, face painting, grazing tables, planning kids’ parties, hiring out props or bouncy castles. It might sound “soft,” but here’s the truth: 

👉 It’s a cash-generating, low-barrier, high-demand industry. 

👉 It’s tailor-made for smart, creative women with something to prove. 

👉 It’s blowing up in Northern Ireland. 

And women; especially mums are absolutely crushing it. 

 

Let’s Talk Numbers (Because the Market Doesn’t Lie) 

You want opportunity? You want upside? Here’s what we know: 

• The UK events industry is worth over £42 billion. 

• Over 700,000 children under 11 live in the UK region of Northern Ireland + ROI  meaning thousands of parties, every month, every year. 

• The average kids’ birthday party in NI costs £300–£600 (that’s just one Saturday afternoon, folks). 

• Women starting businesses post-career break is one of the fastest-growing self-employment segments in the UK. In 2023, over 145,000 women registered new sole trader businesses. 

This is not some hobby market. It’s a local gold rush, and you don’t need to be first; you just need to be good. 

 

The Opportunity You Didn’t Know You Already Had 

Let’s break this down. 

You’ve managed a household. You’ve kept a tiny human alive. You’ve handled logistics, chaos, and crisis communication like a Seasoned Project Manager. You’re a Northern Ireland Mum!

Planning a party for 25 kids? You’re overqualified. 

“The most undervalued business skill set? A stay-at-home mum with a smartphone and a WhatsApp group.” probably someone smart 

 

Why Events Are the Ultimate Comeback Career 

This isn’t some Avon nonsense. This is real business, real demand, and real cash flow. 

🧠 1. You Know the Market Better Than Any Ernest & Young Business Consultant 

As most Northern Ireland Mums have, You’ve been to the birthday parties. You know what works (bouncy castle + pizza) and what flops (dry sandwiches and pass the parcel, or worse no entertainment). Your insight is lived, not Googled. 

💸 2. Low Overhead, High Margin 

Start with £200 in gear and a Facebook page. That’s it. A face painter can earn £200–£300 in a single afternoon. Balloon stylists charge £80–£250 per setup. Grazing table for a hen party? £350+. 

You’re not building a  multinational tech startup. You’re building sustainable, bankable income. 

⏰ 3. Flexibility is Baked In 

Do three jobs a month or 12 your call. Book around your kids’ school hours. Take the summer off. You’re in control, not some office manager who forgets you have a family. 

 

Real Women. Real Businesses. Real Wins. 

This isn’t theory. It’s already happening. 

Meet a few local legends from PartySuppliersDirect.com the online home of NI’s party bosses. 

🎨 Karen – Face Painting Pro 

Like many Northern Ireland Mums, she started on maternity leave. She learned via YouTube. Built a killer Instagram page. Now she earns more per weekend than she did in a full month at her old retail job. 

Her secret? Bright branding, repeat bookings, and reels that show parents their kids having the time of their lives. 

🎈 Leanne – Balloon Queen 

Started with a DIY kit during lockdown. Found a knack. Turned it into a brand. She now sets up balloon arches for schools, baby showers, and weddings and always upsells extras (light-up numbers, flower walls, neon signs). 

She’s booking weeks in advance and hasn’t spent a penny on ads. 

 

But wait… Isn’t Starting a Business Scary? 

Yes. 100% But so is spending the next 5 years wondering if you missed your moment. 

Let’s be honest: 

💡 The riskiest thing you can do today is wait until it’s safe. 

You don’t need a business plan. You don’t need investors. You need: 

1. A service people want (hint: it’s fun stuff that makes parties better) 

1. A way to get found (we’ll talk about that in 2 seconds) 

1. A few reps to build confidence 

That’s it. That’s your startup. 

 

The Step-by-Step Playbook (No Fluff) 

Here’s your zero-BS guide to starting an events business today: 

✅ 1. Choose Your Niche 

Face painting. Balloon decor. Candy carts. Soft play hire. Planning. Start with one. Master it. Expand later. 

✅ 2. Get Listed on PartySuppliersDirect.com 

This is your unfair advantage. 

• A listing = your own mini website 

• You show up in Google (yes, SEO is included) 

• You get free exposure via socials and email blasts 

• You don’t pay per lead or per click 

Basic listing is £108/year: 2 bookings and it’s paid for. 

✅ 3. Share Your Work 

Use Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Take pictures. Post videos. Tell stories. Don’t try to be perfect, just be present. 

✅ 4. Say Yes Before You’re Ready 

Got asked to decorate a party for 40 people and you’ve only done 10? Say yes. Then Google it. That’s how you grow. 

✅ 5. Deliver. Overdeliver. Ask for Reviews. 

That’s your compounding machine. People will book you again and more importantly, they’ll refer you. 

 

Let’s Be Honest: You Don’t Need Permission to Win 

If you’re sitting there thinking, “But I’ve been out of work too long,” let me say this clearly: 

That “break” wasn’t wasted time, it was training. 

You already have what it takes. You’ve built schedules, events, and life systems. You’ve solved 6 problems before 9am. You’ve pitched toddlers on going to bed, you can pitch a party package to a bride-to-be. 

You are not behind. You’re built different. 

 

This Isn’t a Side Hustle. This Is a Power Move. 

This isn’t just about party bags and balloons. 

This is about: 

• Owning your time 

• Earning real money 

• Building something that’s yours 

So here’s what you do next: 

👉 Go to PartySuppliersDirect.com 

👉 Click “List My Business” 

👉 Start your own story 

Your next chapter could be more profitable, more flexible, and more you than any job you’ve had before. 

Don’t wait for permission. This is your sign. This is your moment. Let’s go.