SPOTLIGHT ON AN INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY
YOUR NAME?
Richard Rumbelow
NAME OF YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE COMPANY?
The Bounce Department
www.thebouncedepartment.co.uk
YOUR LOCATION?
Southampton, Hampshire
WHAT IS YOUR AGE?
37
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU STARTED HIRING OUT INFLATABLES?
I was a self-employed sports coach for schools in the UK.
WHAT MADE YOU START AN INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
I used to run holiday camps for kids – and I invested in some inflatables to give them a more enjoyable experience.
It was a natural progression for me to start an inflatable hire business.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES?
Cycling and following professional cycling competitions (e.g. Tour De France).
I used to be a professional cyclist.
I also enjoy watching other sports and spending time with my family.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
Taken (2008) Liam Neeson
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Morgan Freeman.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Mexican food
Pepperami Pizza
Roast Sunday lunch with all the trimmings.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE UK HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Center Parcs – Longleat, Wiltshire.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION ABROAD?
Kenya, East Africa
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME?
Breaking Bad
YOUR FAVOURITE SONG
The Pieces don’t fit anymore by James Morrison
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT THE INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
I enjoy all the different variety of events which I cover with my inflatables and also I enjoy putting together customised hire packages for each individual customer, depending on their requirements.
IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
I would make the business as busy in the winter as it is in the summer. Also, I would defy the laws of physics and make inflatables as light as a feather!
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A HIRING FROM HELL? (Horror story or an unusual booking?)
Yes, once one of my staff delivered a bouncy castle to a garden where chickens were allowed to roam loose. At the end of the hire not only was my castle completely covered in Chicken poo, but so was my staff member!!
On another occasion I delivered a very large castle to an address, but the garden was postage stamp size and I doubt if an 8ft x 8ft castle would have fitted let alone a 20ft x 20ft one.
DO YOU HAVE ANY USEFUL TIPS OR IDEAS THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH THE OTHER BIHA MEMBERS.
Yes, I can highly recommend an incredible add-on hire product. It’s called “Razor Rip Riders 360’s” They are like a trike which can do 360 degree spins – and the kids simply love them!
If you like renting out Didi Cars for the toddlers, then you will absolutely love renting out “Razor Rip Riders 360’s” for the slightly older kids.
I have 50 of them – and they are a great money earner.
BIHA note: You can see a video of them in action: http://youtu.be/mDBiH2MBAH4
HOW HAS THE BIHA HELPED YOU IN YOUR INFLATABLE HIRE BUSINESS?
I enjoy having access to highly experienced owners and operators of inflatable play businesses. On several occasions I have been helped by them on issues that I was facing in my own business.
I am very grateful for their help and advice.