Sisters start princess-based birthday party business
You’re never too old to be a princess.
That’s the message behind Hoover sisters Anna and Sarah Hill’s birthday party company, A Party Fit for a Princess. Anna and Sarah will dress up as princesses and attend birthday or tea parties, fall festivals and events to help bring children into their favorite fairytales.
“It’s a really amazing experience,” Anna said. “Just seeing the joy on their faces has been so rewarding through each party and event that we’ve been to.”
The events and parties they attend are also a way to share a positive message and the gospel, said Anna, who is homeschooled through Shades Mountain Independent Church academy.
“Something that I’ve really found is that the princesses are such strong characters, and they really strive to do what’s best, not only for themselves but for other people as well,” Anna said. “We have a power, we have a voice and we can make a difference with the abilities God has given us, and we can make a difference with who we are.”
They first got the idea after helping at a birthday party for one of the girls Anna babysits. Another princess attended the party, and Anna said they loved seeing how happy the children were and decided to start their own company.
“Since we were little, singing and acting and dressing up have been our passions, something we’ve loved,” Anna said. “So my sister and I got together and looked into costumes and getting together karaoke music, songs and what we would do for a birthday party.”
Anna and Sarah dress up as Cinderella, Tinkerbell, the Ice Queen and Snow Princess from Frozen, the Mermaid Princess or Rapunzel, depending on who is the birthday girl’s favorite character. They have purchased some of the costumes, but they also work to make many of the costumes with the help of their grandmother, who is a seamstress.
Each party is different depending on how long they are there, Anna said, but a typical party includes prince or princess lessons, where the party goers learn to introduce themselves in a royal manner, telling stories through song and dress up including nail painting and sparkles, drawing lessons and pictures.
“Just getting to interact them and allowing them to be a part of the story is so much fun,” Anna said. “Seeing the joy on their faces and how much they love seeing a familiar character and getting to interact with them has just been wonderful.”
The experience has also been a lesson in running a business, Anna said. They started A Party Fit for a Princess when she was 16 and Sarah was 18, and two years later, she has learned a lot about managing a schedule and planning.
“You don’t realize all the work that goes into it until you start it, but it’s really neat. I’ve really enjoyed it,” she said.
The business has also afforded multiple event appearances, including performing at Mother Daughter Day at the 2015 Southern Women’s Show in Birmingham, attending the frosted lemonade launch at Chick-fil-A and appearing at fall festivals.
“It’s just been really special getting to know each child and helping to celebrate their birthday,” Anna said. “Each party is different in and of itself, and I’ve loved getting to see new places and meet new people.”
Party Fit for a Princess
WHAT: Attend parties in the greater Birmingham area
CALL: 478-1839