Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Waldren.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I spent most of my career building another business, which made me realize how much I love the operations side of things; building and figuring out how to make things run better and more efficiently.
The idea for One Party Rental came when I was planning my son’s birthday. I was bouncing between websites, texting and calling different vendors, trying to keep track of everything, and it just felt way more complicated than it should have been. I had the idea in the shower, jumped out, did a quick search, and realized this didn’t exist in the way I was imagining it. From there, I just put one foot in front of the other, and started building. I felt that I could either do this, or be upset with myself in a few years when someone else was doing it.
Now we’ve launched in Charleston and the tri-county area and are building it out day by day. It’s still early, but we have a growing group of vendors and families using it, and that’s been really exciting to see!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been an amazing balance of both. I don’t think starting a business from scratch is ever smooth, and even once you are in a good place, there will always be bumps in the road. I have been incredibly lucky with so much of my journey though.
I will say my first major fail was investing in a branding company that I had used previously that did an incredible job. I paid way too much, thinking that it would be just as amazing of an experience, but every single step of the way I got more and more frustrated with the lack of design and the lack of care for what I was asking for. I ended up with a giant whole in my pocket and branding that had nothing to do with a party company (which should be so fun?!)
In addition, the site build was way more involved than anticipated, so it took longer and more money then we thought, but it is now live & looks beautiful!
A giant win for me was the name – One Party Rental – which I was able to immediately get domains and social handles for, which is almost unheard of. I have also filed for a trademark, which is almost through the process!
As you know, we’re big fans of One Party Rental. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
One Party Rental is a kids’ party marketplace that brings everything into one place. Families can browse, book, and check out with trusted local vendors without having to juggle a dozen different websites, messages, and timelines.
What really sets us apart is how simple we’ve made it. Everything is built around ready-to-book listings, so instead of going back and forth trying to customize every detail, you can find what you need, click, and move on. You can book multiple vendors in one cart, or check out by vendor, depending on what works best. It’s meant to feel easy from start to finish.
We also focus heavily on supporting our vendors. This isn’t just a directory; it’s a platform that helps small businesses get seen, get booked, and spend less time managing inquiries. There’s a lot of talent in this space, and this helps connect those businesses with more of the customers who are already looking for them.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that it feels approachable and helpful. It doesn’t feel overwhelming or overly polished, it feels real. We’re building something that works for actual families and real businesses, and that’s always the priority.
I’d want readers to know that this is just the beginning. The platform is growing, new vendors are being added, and it will continue to evolve over time. But at its core, the goal stays the same, to make planning a kid’s party easier, and to support the local businesses that make those celebrations happen.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Start before you feel ready! You’re never going to have everything figured out, and waiting for that just slows you down.
Keep it simple in the beginning. It’s really easy to overthink things or try to build something perfect, but what actually matters is getting something out into the world and seeing how people use it. You learn so much more from that than you do from planning.
Also, don’t underestimate the value of getting out and connecting with people. Finding local groups and communities has been incredibly helpful for me. Lowcountry Local First has been a great resource, and just being around other business owners, having conversations, and learning from people who are doing it alongside you makes a big difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://onepartyrental.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/onepartyrental
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/onepartyrental
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/onepartyrental
Image Credits
Leslie Ryann McKellar
