39-year-old mom starts side hustle with just $500, now makes thousands: Her small party rental business became her reliable source

Starting a business does not always require a large investment or leaving a full-time job. Vanessa Romano, a mother of two in the US, tested that idea with just $500 and four outdoor party games. Within months, her small side hustle had secured 65 bookings and generated more than $9,000 in booked revenue, all while she continued working her corporate job. Romano launched Little Party Co. after seeing people make money by renting party equipment on social media. What began as a small experiment has since grown into a business that helps families organise celebrations while giving her household another source of income.

How Vanessa Romano Started Her Business With $500

According to People, Romano, 39, began by purchasing four yard games for around $500. She chose items that could be rented for birthdays, family gatherings and other events. Her plan was simple: if the business did not work out, her family could still use the games at their own celebrations. That made the initial investment feel manageable.

“I loved the idea of building something of my own that could contribute to our financial goals and give us the ability to say yes to more of the things we want to do as a family,” Romano told People. The idea paid off quickly. Her business secured five bookings in its first month, bringing in more than $800 in revenue. In the second month, it received 17 bookings and generated more than $1,800.


Within a few months, Little Party Co. had secured 65 bookings and more than $9,000 in booked revenue. Romano eventually reinvested money into the business, increasing her total investment to around $4,500. These figures represent booked revenue, not necessarily profit after expenses.

What Does Little Party Co. Offer?

Little Party Co. rents outdoor games for parties and gatherings. Instead of buying equipment that might only be used once or twice, customers can rent games for their events. Romano's business model allows her to start with a small collection and add more equipment as demand grows. She says she has learned to pay attention to what customers actually book rather than spending money on items simply because they look appealing.

She also tracks seasonal demand and considers which purchases are likely to bring in bookings. This helps her decide where to put the money earned from the business. The work, however, involves more than taking reservations. Romano has to clean, move and maintain the equipment, organise collections and make deliveries. Around 75% of her customers collect their rentals, while the remaining 25% opt for delivery, according to People.

How Does She Balance Her Side Hustle With Motherhood?

Romano continues to work in corporate communications while running her business and raising two young children with her husband. Managing all three responsibilities means finding time for the business outside her regular working hours. She has credited her husband with taking on more than his share of household responsibilities while she worked to establish the company.

Despite its growth, Romano has no immediate plans to leave her full-time job. She says she enjoys her corporate career and sees the business as a creative outlet as well as a way to give her family greater financial flexibility. One of the biggest challenges has been finding enough time to expand the venture. “Starting the business was the easy part, but finding the time to grow it has been harder,” she told People.

She also learned that being a business owner means being responsible when things go wrong. After dropping a cornhole board on her foot and fracturing her toe, she still had to complete her deliveries.

Can A Small Side Hustle Become A Reliable Source Of Income?

Romano's experience shows how testing a business idea on a small scale can help limit the money at risk. But her results are not a guarantee that every side hustle will succeed. A recent Guardian examination of online side-hustle trends found that some popular income-making ideas require considerable time, marketing skills and spending before they produce returns. Its reporting challenged claims that earning money online is always easy or passive.

For anyone considering a similar venture, Romano's approach offers a practical lesson: start with a manageable budget, test whether customers want the product, track expenses and reinvest carefully. Her story is also a reminder that a successful side hustle doesn’t have to replace a full-time career. Little Party Co. is growing along with Romano’s job and family life, giving her another avenue to reach her financial objectives without having to dive immediately into full-time entrepreneurship.