Premiere Party Central – Full-service rental resource for event holders

Over the past several months we have been telling the stories of several new Austin businesses.  Today’s interview is with Delores Crum, president of an established Austin business, Premiere Party Central.

Tell me about your business.

Premiere Party Central is a full-service rental company offering a wide range of products and services to individual event holders in Austin and central Texas. We have been in business since 2000. Our clients are catering companies, wedding  and event venues and event planners. We provide everything from top to bottom … the tent, the dance floor, the linens, tables and chairs and the table top. Table top design is definitely one of our fortes. I tell my clients, “your guests spend 70 to 80% of the time sitting at the table, so it is important to make it as beautiful as possible.”We have more than 20 china patterns, flatware, glassware, everything to make your table top stunning.

We have two locations: one is in  south Austin at 11810 Manchaca Road and one in north Austin at 8868 Research Blvd.

Recently we launched a new business called Premiere Select: Distinctive Event Décor and Design. It is a new concept that is catching on fast. This upscale rental boutique is geared to high-end clientele and includes fine china, glassware, flatware and linens. Designed in a gallery style, the business has items displayed in vignettes with themes, as well as floral arrangements and décor.

The objective of Premiere Select is to discover the event holder’s vision and match it to what Premiere has or can obtain to express that vision, The rental gallery also will provide the ultimate in customer care.

Do use promotional products?

Yes, we do. We use them primarily for customer appreciation and customer recruitment. Our main criteria is that the product be useful to our audience, that they showcase the Premiere brand and that they be of a good quality.

Do you use social media?

Absolutely. Social media has been very instrumental in our success from the very beginning of our business. When we launched Premiere Select, we got more than 180 likes in 24 hours. We allocate marketing dollars to have a dedicated social media professional who does all of our social media for us. We use Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

What is your favorite social media outlet for your business?

I’d have to say Facebook. We get so much support from our followers, and because our product is so visual, it is an excellent outlet for showcasing our products and services. It lets us tell our story.

What is your favorite local business other than your own?

I’d have to say Simon Lee Bakery. They do amazing cakes for weddings and other special events, but also provide logoed cookies that we giveaway at our events much like an edible promotional product.

Any advice for aspiring businesses?

Work hard. Be focused. Surround yourself with good people. It is also critical to have a viable business product or idea. Also, learn from other businesses.

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