Today we’d like to introduce you to Colette Naylor & Max McSparran. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Inflate San Diego was really born through our friends, Jack and Julie Nielsen of Inflate Forty-Eight. The Nielsen’s started a modern bounce house business in the Phoenix area about 2 1/2 years ago. They were one of the first to really pioneer this new trend in inflatables. We’d watched them build this exciting business from a distance and often would make little comments to each other like, “we should start that here, “we’d have such a fun time doing something like that,” etc. After about a year and a half of watching Inflate Forty-Eight grow we reached out to Julie and said something along the lines of “you should bring the Inflate brand to San Diego” to which she responded, “we’ve been meaning to talk to you about doing just that.” Later that week, we all jumped on a call together, ironed out some details, and the next thing we knew, we were fully in – apply for an LLC, ordering supplies, shopping for insurance, creating social media channels, and so much more!
It has literally been blood, sweat, and tears to get to where we are today. We both work full time in addition to owning and operating our bounce house business. Max works as a paramedic & Colette does marketplace management & sales. We are ALWAYS working (on top of planning our wedding!). We’ve seen such huge growth, especially in the last several months, and are beginning to see many repeat renters. The joy we can bring both kids and adults really makes all of the long hours worth it!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish I could say it’s been smooth sailing from day one. While the expertise and guidance from Inflate Forty-Eight, as well as the now 15+, Inflate licensee locations across the country, has been irreplaceable and a huge reason for our success so far, we’ve had growing pains that I’m sure every new small business owner faces!
Our first six or so months were difficult in really defining each of our roles. We both wanted to do it all and make every decision. One day we both sat down and had a conversation over responsibilities and duties for running the business. Ever since that day, our communication and decision-making has been very smooth!
Our second biggest struggle along the way has been growing at a manageable rate. For the first several months, we were doing everything on the back end, plus every delivery and pick-up. We would have days where one rental would be in Chula Vista, and another would be in Oceanside – we’d be spending all day driving around the county, plus trying to answer calls, emails, social media messages, and more! We’ve started hiring delivery crew members which has been the biggest help allowing us to focus on the business even more!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our goal is to provide the same fun bounce houses that kids have been used to for generations but with a new modern look that can match any party theme or event! Long gone are the days of eye-sore inflatables in primary colors with big clunky patterns. We specialize in white bouncers in various sizes, plus we carry several other solid-colored rentals, including pink, peach, tan, baby blue, and our newest – all black – perfect for fall events!
The modern colors have made bounce houses trendy again, and because of that, you’ll see them set up at events way beyond kid’s parties (although we do a ton of those too). We’ve set up for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, sorority parties, book launches, and brand events.
In addition to the modern colors, our actual design is different than traditional styles! All our rentals (with the exception of our waterslide) are three-sided – meaning the front is fully open! We’ve been told by so many parents that their children were normally afraid to go inside an inflatable, but because it is open, making it easy to get in and out, their kids loved jumping. That is a part of the business we did not expect, but inclusivity for all children makes us so proud!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
We touched on it a bit before, but for both of us, this started as a side hustle or part-time job. As we’ve grown, the hours really have become closer to full time – in addition to our regular jobs! We are constantly working, and there are so many parts to a small business that I think people forget about! Scheduling & invoicing, booking keeping, payroll, coordinating delivery routes, ordering supplies, social media work, emailing clients, coordinating with vendors, managing employees, and so, so, so much more. We’ve had to turn down social gatherings and trips with friends because running your own business means there is little downtime. With all of that said, we LOVE working together, creating something that is truly ours, and bringing the fun to so many families in the city where we were both born and raised!
Pricing:
- Starting at $250
Contact Info:
- Website: www.inflatesandiego.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inflatesandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InflateSanDiego
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/inflate-san-diego-party-rentals-san-diego
Image Credits
Salome Palomino
Erica Brown
Brittany Jarman
