A New Way Of Opening A Hookah-bar

[Calcartman]

Okay, so for a long time my dream of dreams was a hookah-bar.
But i have nowhere near the money or credit to get the money, to open a hookah-bar.

So i had another way of going about it.

How about hookah-catering?

Basically, rent out the services of a hookah bar, for a party/company picnic/what have you.

I cant imagine a lot of people would go for having a hookah gathering at a party, but i can also think of a few people who would.
People who havent ever tried it, or smoke ciggarettes/cigars socialy, or just people who arent opposed to smoking; could gather and talk.
Every party ive been to always has a smoking section already, why not hookahs?

It just sorta popped into my head earlier and ive been mulling it around.
Bring a few hookahs (depending how crowded the event is to be), a stove for lighting coals and a carrier, and keep some fresh coals going all day, pack a few new bowls when old ones die out, the party already has food and drinks, so basically all i need is somewhere to light coals, some water, a garbage bag, and im set.

What do you think? Just a dumb idea, a cool idea but no potential, or maybe something plausible?
I dont need a full time pay-the-bills kinda setup, but at least to make some money on the side? I already enjoy it, and its basically a free invite to parties too.

[Akkbar]

way ahead of you bro.
im doing a couple hundred a month, and i dont even consider it 'work'...
do it

[Calcartman]

way ahead of you bro.
im doing a couple hundred a month, and i dont even consider it 'work'...
do it

Seriously, right now i crave having people over to smoke, but why not go to them.

How do you get your name out?

[hookahlife]

Hey Calc,

I think it’s a good idea. We do the same thing around our geographic area, check out this link for ideas http://www.hookah-life.com/leasing.htm . I don’t mind you getting ideas from this because you’re in a different state, just don’t copy anything word for word or make it too obvious.

You should now that it’s not easy. Even if you want this to be part time, it will still wear on you. The toughest part of any business is the sales aspect. Like you said, there are not a lot of people that would this and private parties are hard to get for something like this, you would probably end up working with bars and clubs but that can get complicated since you are a one man operation.

I highly recommend you think this through thoroughly and objectively. You may think because you love hookah this will be easy, and it very well may be that way, but there is a good chance this will become something much more involved, complicated and intense than you imagined at first. Dont forget to consider all the angles, like: should you have formal agreements so both the parties know wht to expect of each other, what about liability if someone gets hurt, or burned or you damage property, will you get insurance for that etc...

Also, you might have a little competition already, I’m pretty sure the idea has been experimented with around where you live so I would recommend you research that too.

Hope this helps.

[EvansLight]

Yea its been brought up before, one member ran a hookah catering service. I would suggest getting all my acyrlics, a large stock of different brands, and a nice way to transport things. Also make sure your technique is spot on, and make rules about things like managing coals, and the likes.

Also make sure if your going to earn money off this, to do all the things right, like getting a tax id, and things of that nature, make sure your not going to get booty raped by the IRS down the road ;-)

And as for getting your name out there, i would suggest a combo of word of mouth, get friends to rave about you, any form of advertising you can pay for, movie theater adds are awesome. Then of course theres fliers, the internet, and other message boards.

These days a good myspace page, some fliers, a bit of word of mouth, and whoring yourself out to a few message boards, you would be suprised how fast you can get things moving

And good luck if you do decide to do it

[Akkbar]

way ahead of you bro.
im doing a couple hundred a month, and i dont even consider it 'work'...
do it

Seriously, right now i crave having people over to smoke, but why not go to them.

How do you get your name out?

I went to my friend's parties. There were people I didnt know there who tried my hookahs. I had made business cards ahead of time, so i handed them out. Within a few weeks, I was getting calls and email about people who wanted hookah at their parties too. Now, I actually go to the venue ahead of time, look at where it will be smoked, and suggest decorations and seating and such to look more authentic. Since Im a bartender, I offer to bring my bartenders-in-training (i.e. my friends) to provide drinks. Most people decline the drinking services, but one party i did netted me $300 profits... not too shabby for sitting around, mingling, smoking, and drinking eh?

EDIT: im not going to advertise at all beyond word of mouth. i dont want it to get too big Edited June 6, 2007 by Akkbar

[Calcartman]

Hookah-Life, i definitely know its a lot more work than a simple little thing, but i always end up doing it for our groups as it is, even if i only do one or two a month, thats still more money i have in my pocket.

The only hookah-bar within 15 miles is a small medditeranian, restaurant, but my area is not the type that usually wants to sit down and try a hookah.

I definitely think if nothing else ill make business cards and hand them out whenever im at a party, and as it is during the school year i smoke hookah in the main quad twice a week, and usually have a pretty good variety of people coming by.
Wish id thought about it before haha.

[Calcartman]

Thanks for the thoughts guys, im going to bed very hookah-happy from a sessions tangiers peach iced tea, and hookahhookah strawberry+ al amir mango.

[hookahlife]

Hey Calc,

You should definitely do it if you’re passionate about it. From experience, there is nothing more fulfilling than being an entrepreneur. I would just advise you consider all the angles before you get started, even if you intend to keep it small. Like Evans said, do your best to keep this legit. If you do everything under the table it has a good chance of catching up with you. From experience, the main reason businesses fail is because they become too successful too quickly and don’t have the right measures and practices in place to sustain the growth, so they end up collapsing.

Quick tip: If you just need business cards, and don’t care about anything fancy, get them from www.vistaprint.com . You just got to pay for shipping, but they are free and good quality.

Regards,
Mike
Hookah Life

[Jamal]

Nice idea, but just to be on the safe side go as plastic as you can drunk people glass and clay and hot coals not a good combo.

[ezie]

I liked your idea of renting hookahs for party/functions. I hope you have success in doing this. I'm think of opening a hookah bar on my own but my budget is kinda low but i have 6 hookah to start with so i guess i can rent my hookah to people so i can save enough money to open my own hookah bar. Anyway Thanks for the idea and i hope it turns out great peace

[hookah hippie]

That is a pretty cool idea I am not sure how well it would catch on though but good luck with it

[aldonb1]

yeah i'd just try word of mouth, throw out business cards at parties and stuff. You might want to try hitting up bars and asking them if they are interested in having a Hookah Night or something

[Calcartman]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
Definitely have a lot of things to mull over now!

[Scalliwag]

I am pretty sure Erica does this. Your overhead would be incredibly low. Virtually zero startup cost. If you have a local Craigslist you may be able to sneak some posts on that. Serve cider and various teas, etc. Find belly dancers and if you really wanna get freaky and snake charmer. I would not have a dangerous snake anywhere there is alcohol.
But the more you can put into the service and the show the better. Give more than the customer expects. Factor it into your price but keep some things as a surprise because when people get more than they expected that can turn to big tips and/or very high reccomendations to others.
Scantilly clad pirate wenches for servers calling everybody "matey" might be a good idea too. At least I like that one a lot!

[Johnny_D]

I am pretty sure Erica does this. Your overhead would be incredibly low. Virtually zero startup cost. If you have a local Craigslist you may be able to sneak some posts on that. Serve cider and various teas, etc. Find belly dancers and if you really wanna get freaky and snake charmer. I would not have a dangerous snake anywhere there is alcohol.
But the more you can put into the service and the show the better. Give more than the customer expects. Factor it into your price but keep some things as a surprise because when people get more than they expected that can turn to big tips and/or very high reccomendations to others.
Scantilly clad pirate wenches for servers calling everybody "matey" might be a good idea too. At least I like that one a lot!

Have I told you i love you Scalli

But seriously. Get the Pirate Wenches. Do it... DO IT!

JD - It's a Pirate Hookah Wenches boobs for me!

[hookah hippie]

Nothing like a good pirate wench to go with a hookah smoke

[azcoyote]

I always thought it was a good idea. Networking with other party service providers is the way to promote. I was a wedding photog for years and most of my jobs came from referrals - event planners, ministers, djs, florists, limo companies. Always bring around a $20 bill in person after your event to the referring party, and you may get more work than you can imagine.

[Tati]

I had some friends in high school that called themselves "two guys and a hookah," Im not sure how well they did, because they usually did it for friends at grad parties and other gatherings...


good luck!

[cemab4y]

What a fantastic idea!!! I have been thinking about opening a hookah lounge in my retirement. Catering hookah parties would be a way to "stick your toe in the water", with very little risk. I may try it.

[ghostofdavid]

Always remember that Skimo and I are available for any belly dancing.