Tent Rental Business: The Side Hustle that Earns $25K

A tent rental business can be a great side hustle to start a new business venture.

If you’re looking to start a business with low overhead costs and high profitability, a tent rental business might be the perfect choice.

Tent rental is a lucrative business which caters to a wide range of events and occasions, from weddings and corporate gatherings to outdoor parties and festivals. The demand for arches, chuppahs, mandaps, and other structures used for wedding ceremonies is high, and the majority of weddings nowadays take place outside. Renting wedding tents can be a profitable venture.

A Reddit user Jimmy2Tents claims to earn $20-40k per year from his “Backyard Tent Rental” side hustle in Boston, US. (He also teaches how to start a tent business. So, yeah, you have been warned.)

The post about tent rentals got me thinking. I am an Indian, and know for sure that Indians all over spend a lot of money on weddings. It’s no different for others. Tents and other wedding rentals are thriving, like wedding planning.

How to Start a Tent Rental Business?

How can you start a successful tent rental business? Wedding tent rental and party tent rental business can be a lucrative business. In this article, let’s explore the ins and outs of starting a tent rental business.

Why Start a Tent Rental Business?

Before starting any business, you must understand the industry. So, let us first understand the advantages of starting a tent rental business.

Steady Demand: Events and gatherings, both personal and professional, continue to be a part of people’s lives. Outdoor events require tents, ensuring a steady demand for tent rental services.

Low Investment: The investment required for starting a tent rental business is low. You don’t need a brick-and-mortar location, and the main investment lies in purchasing or renting tents.

Scalability: You can start a small tent rental business with just a couple of tents and expand as your business grows. You can scale your tent rental business according to demand.

Flexibility: A tent rental business is flexible. You can work seasonally or year-round, depending on your business choices and market demand.

Business Plan for Tent Rental Business

So, we know that tent rental business is profitable and lucrative. Let’s take a look at the steps involved to create a tent rental business plan and getting started from ground up.

1. Market Research and Business Plan
   • Identify your target market and study your competitors.
   • Choose the types of events and gatherings you’ll focus on.
   • Develop a business plan outlining goals, finances, and strategies.
2. Legal Requirements
   • Register your business and obtain necessary permits and licenses.
   • Set up a suitable legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship or LLC).
3. Finances and Funding
   • Estimate startup costs (tents, transport, marketing).
   • Secure funds through savings, loans, or investors.
4. Get Your Inventory
   • Invest in diverse tent sizes and styles.
   • Purchase tables and chairs to go with your tents.
   • Consider adding decorations, lighting, and flooring.
5. Storage and Transportation
   • Arrange storage for your equipment.
   • Ensure reliable transportation, either by purchasing or renting.
6. Pricing Strategy
   • Set competitive yet profitable prices.
7. Marketing and Promotion
   • Create a professional website.
   • Use social media, online ads, and local marketing.
   • Network with event planners and industry peers.
8. Insurance and Liability
   • Obtain insurance for protection.
9. Customer Service and Contracts
   • Create clear rental contracts.
   • Prioritize exceptional customer service.
10. Expansion and Growth
    • Stay updated on market trends.
    • Adapt and grow your business accordingly.
    • Explore related services like event planning or catering.

Starting Your Tent Rental Business

In the previous section, we looked at the various steps involved in setting up a tent rental business.

Let’s now explore at the practical side of starting a small tent rental business.

With a pickup truck or trailer, a storage space (garage/shed), and around $2,500 in startup funds, you can start your rental business with a few 20×20, 20×30, or 20×40 tents.

Here’s the step-by-step guide for starting your tent rental business.

1. Create a website and Google Business listing. This is an inexpensive way to conduct market research: validate demand and learn quickly. You can use Google Sites for a FREE basic website, and you can buy a domain for $1-15 per year. (Search for GoDaddy coupons for $1 .com domains.)
2. Create Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn pages for your business. While social media isn’t the best for reaching new customers, it’s an excellent way to reach out to potential partners in the space, such as event venues, caterers, and event planners.
3. Do some sales and promotion. Ask your family and friends to leave a 5-star review on your Google Business page, start posting in local Facebook groups, try a Craigslist ad, or list your business on Facebook Marketplace.
4. Book your first job. Demand for tent rentals and tent packages spikes during wedding and graduation seasons, so take advantage of that. Most established rental businesses in the area will sell out, and eventually demand will flow to your business. Get a deposit and use that cash towards your first tent/equipment.
5. Buy equipment. You can start with a 20×30 canopy tent. Try to find used tables and chairs in your area, or buy new, and buy plastic 60″ round tables and 6ft long tables.
6. Practice a few times at home or in a park. Don’t show up to your first job with absolutely no clue what you’re doing. Unpack your equipment and do a few test runs first. There are tons of how-to videos on YouTube from manufacturers and tent experts.
7. Do your first event. Hopefully, you can work for a friend or family member first and work out the process. If not, just give someone a great deal and explain that while you are a new business, you are confident, and all of your equipment is in great shape.
8. Get reviews and photos from your first event. Use these photos on your Google Business listing and your website. People want to see decorated tents with people enjoying the party instead of just a sad, lonely tent.
9. Setup and run Google Ads. Once you’re confident that you want to do more rentals, Google Ads is the best way to acquire customers from your area.
10. Get going with biz. As more jobs roll in, you may decide it’s time to get insurance and incorporate the business. General business liability and a simple LLC should do the trick.
11. Add more inventory. Once things start rolling, you can buy more tents, tables, chairs, lighting, linens, etc.

If you don’t have a pickup truck, you can still offer canopy tents (or pole tents). A 20×20, 20×30, or even a 20×40 canopy-style tent can fit in a sedan.

Now, let’s discuss the process of starting and growing a tent rental business in further detail.

Getting the Tents

Jimmy2Tents began with $5,000 and three used tents. The key items for this business are tents, tables, chairs, lighting, and linens, with startup costs ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Now, let’s focus on tents. Jimmy2Tents’ tents cost about $2,200 each and last roughly five years. He has 25 tents stored in a warehouse. These tents are moved using a box truck and pickup truck, cleaned annually, and don’t include wooden flooring. It takes about five people to set them up.

While the main items to rent are wedding arches, chuppahs, and mandaps, offering extras like fabric, decor, mic and speaker, and ceremony chairs can boost revenue. For transportation, having a pickup truck or trailer is advisable for easier equipment transport.

It’s essential to price your rentals competitively, while still earning a profit. With the right approach, a tent rental business can prove to be a successful and rewarding venture.

In terms of earnings, Jimmy2Tents’ rental business made $24,000 in 2022. On average, he earned about $521 per job, which included chair rentals and extra services. Most weddings happen in Boston from May to October. During this busy season, he even works on weekend nights.

Growing Tent Rental Business

Customer acquisition is key to success in this business.

Jimmy2Tents credits his business growth to digital marketing. His website and Google Ads played a significant role in reaching more customers. Building partnerships with florists, event planners, and wedding venues is also crucial. These alliances connect you with potential customers and boost your rental services.

Succeeding in this business isn’t just about gear and promotion. It also calls for excellent customer service and going the extra mile for your clients, especially in the wedding industry, where clients seek a stress-free and memorable experience.

With exceptional service and attention to detail, you can earn loyal customers and positive reviews, which can further boost your business’s reputation and growth.

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In conclusion, starting a tent rental business can be an excellent way to earn extra income or even become a full-time gig. However, it requires effort, investment, and a commitment to excellent customer service. By focusing on digital marketing, strategic partnerships, and offering additional services, you can attract more customers and grow your business. With the right approach, a tent rental business can prove to be a successful and rewarding venture.