Starting an inflatable rental business is an exciting venture, but the online marketplace is filled with pitfalls for the unwary. As demand for home and event entertainment surges in the U.S., “bad actor” suppliers have developed sophisticated ways to separate entrepreneurs from their hard-earned money. Before you click “purchase” on that incredibly cheap water slide,…

If you’ve ever unrolled a brand-new, budget-priced inflatable and been hit by a sharp, “plastic” chemical smell, you aren’t alone. While all PVC products have a slight scent when first opened, a heavy, overwhelming odor is often a red flag regarding the materials and manufacturing processes used. In the commercial inflatable industry, that smell is…

At first glance, bigger bounce houses seem like the obvious choice for rental businesses. They look impressive, accommodate more children, and often command higher rental prices. But does bigger really mean more profit? The answer is more nuanced than many operators expect. In reality, revenue and profitability are not the same thing, and size plays…