We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tara Tranum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tara, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was starting my company, Shine Bright Sparty Bus. At the time, it felt like I was jumping into an unknown world- I didn’t know anything about the industry and I didn’t have any real experience. As an executive in corporate for 10+ years, jumping into a kids business was pretty insane and honestly never a part of my goals or dreams at the time. It was also risky to quickly spend thousands of dollars on a party bus that I really had no clue about, other than I liked the idea – I thought it was truly a brilliant idea. Others were already doing this business but my mind always operates on how can I do it better? My husband also (oddly enough) believed in the idea and purchased the bus for me which was a big risk on him and our family.
This idea and purchase all happened in less than a month, not a long thought process or research behind it so yes, a big risk.
I had a vision of creating something unique—a business that didn’t just provide a service, but also created memories and joy for people during their special occasions. And although many many folks are already doing this, I wanted to make a bigger impact and offer services that nobody else does.
The backstory is this: I had always been passionate about bringing people together and making celebrations unforgettable. Let’s be honest, I love a good party. I love to decorate and I love being creative. But like many entrepreneurs, I was faced with doubts. I didn’t have prior experience running a business of this kind, and the startup costs were intimidating. I had to make significant personal sacrifices, from saving every extra penny to spending countless late nights researching, planning, and building my brand.
On top of that, I was nervous about competition. Would people see the value in what I had to offer? Would they choose my services over others? I wrestled with these questions for months, but my desire to create something special overpowered my fears.
Finally, I took the leap. I invested in my first party bus, built my brand, and started , booking events and earning trust in my community. The first few months were tough, with challenges like learning the logistics, perfecting customer service, and even navigating unexpected expenses. There were moments I doubted myself, wondering if I had made a mistake.
But the turning point came when word started to spread. Customers weren’t just satisfied—they were ecstatic. They raved about the experience, referred friends and family, and I saw my dream begin to take off. Today, Shine Bright Sparty Bus is growing beyond just party buses, and we’re working on rebranding to reflect the expansion.
Looking back, that risk taught me that fear and uncertainty often accompany the greatest opportunities. If you believe in your vision and are willing to put in the work, the rewards can be life-changing—not just financially, but also in terms of personal fulfillment and the joy you bring to others. It is a true blessing to be able to work with kids and be a part of their most special days.
Tara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Tara Tranum, and I am the proud owner of Shine Bright Sparty Bus, a business born out of my passion for creating unforgettable moments and experiences for others. I didn’t always know I would end up in this industry, but I’ve always been someone who loves to celebrate life, bring people together, and make them feel special. My journey into this business started with a simple idea: to transform ordinary events into extraordinary celebrations.
At Shine Bright Sparty Bus, we provide unique, mobile party experiences tailored to our clients’ needs. Originally, the focus was on mobile luxury spa parties for birthdays, , and other special occasions. But as the business has grown, so has our vision. We’re now in the process of rebranding due to expanding beyond the party bus concept to offer a wider range of event services, which include planning, hosting, and creating customizable experiences for a variety of celebrations. This rebranding reflects our commitment to being more than just a party service—we’re aiming to become the go-to destination for fun, creativity, and connection in Atlanta.
The heart of our business is solving one big problem for our clients: taking the stress out of planning and delivering an unforgettable experience. Whether it’s a child’s birthday party or a milestone celebration, we handle the logistics, the fun, and the little details so our clients can focus on enjoying the moment. What sets us apart is our ability to personalize every experience. From themed decorations to curated music and activities, we ensure each event reflects the unique personality and vision of our customers & a guaranteed “I had the best party ever” from our guest of honor. The most unique concept we offer is that we not only plan your party, we also manage and host it. This is huge for parents or anyone hosting a party- most parents are stressed or trying to multitask for their children’s party and it’s almost impossible for them to be truly present and enjoy the special moments. We create that for you!
I am most proud of the joy we bring to our clients. The smiles, laughter, and memories we create are what fuel my passion for this business. There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing a client say, “This was better than I could have imagined.” That’s why I started this company and why I continue to push it to grow and evolve.
For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that Shine Bright Sparty Bus isn’t just a service—it’s an experience. It’s about celebrating life’s moments, big and small, in a way that’s fun, creative, and stress-free. My team and I are dedicated to making every event truly shine, and we take pride in going the extra mile to ensure our clients feel valued and cared for.
If you’re looking for a partner to make your next celebration unforgettable, Shine Bright Sparty Bus is here to bring your vision to life. Let us help you create memories that you and your loved ones will cherish forever!
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Yes, Shine Bright Sparty Bus started as a side hustle and eventually grew into my full-time business. The journey wasn’t easy, but it was absolutely worth it. The biggest pierce of advice and learning lesson is stop saying it’s a side hustle! The amount of time I treated my business as a “side hustle” it remained a side hustle. You immediately have to have that mindshift of running a real business. When you start treating that side hustle as a real business, everything will change for you.
It all began with a simple dream: I wanted to create a service that brought people together in a fun and unique way and guarantee “the best party ever”. At the time, I was working full-time in a different industry, but I knew I had a passion for event planning and creating experiences that made people feel special. The idea of a party bus came to me as I noticed how much people loved the idea of celebrating on-the-go, but there weren’t many options locally that offered the level of customization and creativity I envisioned.
I started small, with one bus that we carefully transformed into a mobile celebration space. (This was a family project with me my husband and son which made it so special) I worked evenings and weekends on my business—learning the ropes of marketing, event coordination, and customer service. In the early days, I relied heavily on word-of-mouth and social media to get the word out. Slowly but surely, bookings started to pick up, and I found myself spending more time on Shine Bright Sparty Bus than on my day job.
A few key milestones stand out in this journey:
1. The First Big Booking: Securing my first large event was a turning point. It showed me that people were willing to invest in what I offered and gave me the confidence to push forward. I did not believe in myself at that point but once I accomplished it it changed everything. at that point I knew I could offer more services than just the bus. We were going to expand.
2. Expanding the Business- When demand started to exceed the capacity I reinvested my earnings to add additional party services such as sleepovers, full party setups, inflatables and rentals and going from just girls to all kids parties . This was a huge risk, but it allowed me to serve more clients and grow my brand.
3. Community Recognition: As word spread, I began to see Shine Bright Sparty Bus become a household name in the area for celebrations. Local features, partnerships, and positive client reviews helped solidify our reputation. We have also been an honorable mention in the best of Georgia for 3 years in a row
4. Going Full-Time: The day I left my full-time job to focus solely on my business was both terrifying and exhilarating. It was a leap of faith, but one I knew I had to take to scale Shine Bright Sparty Bus to its full potential. I knew it was the right move because I was so excited every day to work on Shine Bright and the growth was so motivating, I was all in. I gave up my entire career to chase this dream and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made
Scaling up was about more than just hard work—it required strategy. I focused on refining my services, listening to client feedback, and finding ways to stand out in the market. Over time, I began to notice patterns in what clients wanted, which helped me diversify my offerings and plan for our current rebranding efforts.
Today, Shine Bright Sparty Bus is not just a business—it’s my passion and my purpose. It’s a reminder that side hustles, no matter how small they start, can grow into something incredible with dedication, resilience, and a willingness to take risks. Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come and excited for the future as we continue to expand and make even more dreams come true!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of word-of-mouth referrals, social media marketing, and offering an exceptional, personalized experience. Each of these elements works together to create a strong foundation for both attracting and retaining clients.
1. Word-of-Mouth and Referrals
Nothing beats a happy client spreading the word about their amazing experience. From the beginning, I’ve focused on delivering more than just a service—I aim to exceed expectations and create unforgettable memories. When clients leave with smiles on their faces, they naturally want to share their experience with family, friends, and coworkers. To encourage referrals, I implemented a referral incentive program where returning clients or those who refer others receive discounts or bonus services. This not only rewards loyalty but also brings in new customers through trusted recommendations.
2. Social Media Marketing
Social media has been a game-changer for Shine Bright Sparty Bus. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow me to showcase the fun, vibrant, and personalized experiences we create. I consistently post high-quality photos and videos of events, behind-the-scenes content, and client testimonials to keep my audience engaged. Instagram Stories and Reels, in particular, have been great tools for reaching new audiences.
3. Exceptional Customer Service and Personalization
Providing a unique, tailored experience has been one of the best ways to stand out in a competitive market. Every event I organize is personalized to fit the client’s vision, whether it’s a specific theme, custom decor, or a special playlist. People remember when they feel heard and valued, and this level of attention to detail has led to glowing reviews online, which in turn attract more clients.
By combining these strategies, I’ve been able to build a strong and growing client base that keeps coming back and spreading the word about Shine Bright Sparty Bus. It’s all about building relationships, delivering value, and constantly innovating to stay ahead of the curve. I am so proud that I service the same clients year after year and have the blessing and opportunity to watch the kids grow up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.shinebrightspartybus.com
- Instagram: Shinebrightspartybus
