Rent A Halloween Costume For Only P300 From This Mom's Online Shop

This story is part of Smart Parenting's new advocacy, For Parents, By Parents, which aims to help newbie mompreneurs and dadpreneurs promote their products and services to our parenting communities. Do you have great products or services for moms, dads, or kids and need a bit of marketing push? Email us at smartparenting@summitmedia.com.ph with the subject, "For Parents, By Parents."

It's that time of the year again. If you are a parent, you must have survived finding a Linggo ng Wika costume in August, and here comes October, which is jam-packed with events that would require your kids costumes; one for United Nations Day and immediately after, Halloween. But this mom is trying to solve every parent's perennial problem by offering costume rentals in her online shop.

READ ALSO: Pokemon, Boiling Lobster, Chuckie, And More: 9 Halloween Costumes We Love From Celebrity Families

Why rent Halloween costumes?

"I had that problem ever since my child went to school. Like there's always a costume that's needed. Lalo na itong Halloween. So, I'm going to address that problem," Aki Sumulong, owner of Niko Niko, told Smart Parenting.

Niko Niko is a one-stop shop party needs service, which she started in June. She just started offering the Halloween costume rentals, but her primary business is providing "festive and premium party supplies and services in one go."

"My daughter turned 3 earlier this March, and I had a particular theme in mind, which was white daisies." Aki said she had a hard time looking for suppliers because her theme is very unique and specific. "It led me to local suppliers, overseas suppliers, going to the mall, going to different platforms. To add to that, I had to wait for a couple of weeks, especially for items that I couldn't source locally."

As a result of that experience, Aki realized there isn't a one-stop shop that allowed her to have premium quality party supplies that can be delivered ASAP. Thus, Niko Niko came to life. Niko Niko is a Japanese expression for someone who's happy.

Prior to having a baby, Aki had experience working in corporate and handled events and seminars. She left her job in January to become a full-time parent. "What really pushed me to start this [business] was my daughter's 3rd birthday. I think, ultimately, parents who are working would rather have that convenience and pay a little premium for it than eating a lot of their time, getting anxious, stressed, and all that."

When it comes to Halloween costumes, Aki wanted to solve every parent's problem of selling or decluttering costumes that were used only once. Rental fee for a Halloween costume for infants and kids is only Php 300, good for three days.

There's a Php 500 security deposit that will be refunded once the costume has been returned. Adult costumes are also available for rent at Php 600, with Php 800 security deposit. They will take care of washing the items, so parents won't have to worry about it.

Check out all the available Halloween costumes for rent at Niko Niko here.

Taking the risk

Aki shared that she invested her personal savings to purchase premium party needs in bulk so that she can offer her products to parents who need the items on the same day. "It's really going to require a certain amount of grit and capital and support from family and friends initially talaga."

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Although Aki knows that the market is competitive, with e-commerce sites and malls, what she's bringing in to the table is the personal touch and convenience for busy parents. "Niko Niko can provide even beyond what's in the shop. That personal touch, compassion, and understanding as a parent that you are struggling on a daily basis really help push this business forward," she emphasized.

For now, Aki is a one-mom team doing the branding, website management, purchasing, sales, and customer service. "If you have a business, you have to do everything you can to get the word out. Kailangan ng kapal ng mukha," she stressed.

Tips for parents who want to start a business

For parents who want to start a business, Aki shared a tip: start with your friends and start with a problem. "It's really about the gap. Anong wala? Then, can you fill in that gap?" She says it's about the readiness of everyone involved in the business. "Do you have the capital? Do you have the brain capacity? It's beyond financial. Are you ready as an individual to do this?"

She advises, you should also know your why. "My why is to bring the convenience and personal touch to every parent to make celebrations easier," she told Smart Parenting, "Because our kids will only remain kids for how long, 'di ba? So if I can help you make that count, and make it worthwhile, I've already done my job."

Are you up for easy to make Halloween costumes this year? Watch this video: