Enterprise Nation

Katie Burnett started home based business, Les Enfants, in 2004. She’s since developed it into a specialty company organising children’s events for top notch private and corporate clients. In any one day she can be handling a small party for 40 children or a family fun day for 1,000 party-goers. 

Factfile

Age: 36
Home office location: London
Business description: Les Enfants is a children’s party company with a difference. From small private birthday parties to large corporate events, Les Enfants is the children’s party specialists, delivering a comprehensive service.

When did you launch Les Enfants?

In 2004

What were you doing before becoming your own boss?

I was a Marketing and Events Manager

What is the ratio of corporate to private events that you organise?

90% private, 10% corporate but the corporate contracts bring in most of the profit

It looks like some of your events can take quite a bit of organising ...do you have employees, or subcontract work to other homeworkers?

We use freelancers and other mum's who run their own businesses, lots of people working for home.  We all have small children so work from home and get together in an office for when meetings are required.

How did you win your first contract?

In my first year I won Metroline Buses Staff Christmas party for 1,000 children at Wembley Conference Centre. What a start! 

What has been your largest party to date?

A party for a 12 year old which had a budget of £40k

What has been your single most effective marketing activity?

Sponsored search engine links – it gets my business immediately seen. 

Can you tell us a little about your plans for the future?

To develop own-label products under the Les Enfants brand in partyware and to write a book giving parents guidance.

What is the one thing in your home office you couldn't do without?

My radio, feels like I have company when I am working on my own.

Katie Burnett talks to Emma Jones

• Les Enfants