Getting the party started in regional SA
South Australia’s Mid North Party Hire knows how to throw a party (and they’ve got the awards to prove it).
If there’s a consistent focus for the team at Mid North Party Hire, it’s customer service.
Kym Schultz is Business Manager and Chief Cheerleader for the Blyth-based business that services customers from Port Augusta to the York Peninsula, the Flinders Ranges and over to the Riverland and Barossa Valley.
“Relationships are really big in this business,” says Kym. “From when we first receive an email from a potential customer, to when it’s time to bump-in and out for their event, they’re always number one.”
It’s a philosophy that’s played a big part in how their business has grown — and why they’ve won multiple ABIA Wedding Awards.
Mid North Party Hire is owned by Kym and her husband, Richard, who’s the Operations Manager.
Kym looks after customer service, taking and preparing orders, laundry, kitchen and cleaning. As Chief Cheerleader, she also takes care of the team, looking after all their social activities.
Richard runs the outside crew and cleaning team. They’re supported by two full-time staff, several permanent casuals and extra casuals who they bring on during peak periods. Their daughter Ashley is also a key part of the operation.
Mid North Party Hire has been operating for around 35 years. It was started by her parents, Peter and Marilyn Paterson, with nothing more than an old ex-army tent.
“People would ask my dad if they could borrow the tent for a party,” recalls Kym. “Next thing, they’d ask for a few chairs and that’s fundamentally, how the business began.”
To keep up with demand, Peter and Marilyn purchased catering equipment — cutlery, crockery, glassware — and the business continued to grow organically. Yet it was still a side hustle and something they only did on the weekends, with both Peter and Marilyn maintaining their full-time jobs.
The turning point came around 1999, when Kym and Richard moved home to help.
“Once there was someone to answer the phones and help with bump-in and out, the business took off,” says Kym.
In May 2014, they purchased the business from her parents and began to put ‘their own spin on things’.
“We freshened up our stock and the services we would offer, and once again, it took off with a new lease of life.”
Today, their work is diverse, although weddings make up about 70 per cent of their business. “Weddings are a great advertising tool, because all the guests can see what we offer,” says Kym.
They also work on some of the major field days in South Australia and in Broken Hill (NSW), as well as servicing events in the wineries, venues, local shows, footy clubs and catering for private parties.
Yet despite their regional location, the team doesn’t compromise on standards.
“We may not have all the stock on-hand that other city-based businesses may have, but we can always find it for people,” says Kym. “Plus our core stock is kept looking like new.”
Since COVID, they’ve really embraced their membership of the HRIA, highlighting that the recently released and updated Marquee Ballast Guide was a great tool to have.
“But one of the biggest things we’ve got out of our membership is the networking,” says Kym. “We’ve made some great friends through the HRIA and now have some great mentors.”
