10 ideas to earn extra money during Carnival days | 10 ideas para ganar dinero extra durante los días de Carnaval

By Anahi Cazas, Vision 360:

Gastronomy is one of the main options

Decorating businesses or homes for Ch’alla Tuesday and pet care services are among the options to generate income during the Carnival festivities.

El pepino, el personaje principal del carnaval paceño. Foto: EFE

The pepino, the main character of the La Paz Carnival. Photo: EFE

Carnival is synonymous with fun and joy, but it is also an opportunity to start a business and generate extra income. How can this opportunity be best taken advantage of? There are various entrepreneurial ideas or options, but according to a review of specialized pages, ten stand out, ranging from making personalized costumes to offering cleaning services before and after the Carnival festivities.

One of the first suggestions is creating Carnival gift baskets, ideal for fraternity keepsakes or the traditional exchange during the Comadres celebration. The key to this idea is exclusivity, meaning the creation of a basket with products tailored to the customer’s preferences.

These baskets can be made with a variety of elements, ranging from traditional ones like streamers, candies, and bread, to beauty products. For example, Nunu Cosmética Natural offers unique small baskets that include cherry lip balm and turmeric soap, among other items.

Likewise, Flor del Nilo Boutique Floral offers Carnival baskets with a variety of chocolates and sweets, as well as a bottle of beer.

Gastronomy is another ideal niche for entrepreneurship during Carnival days. The most notable option is preparing Puchero carnavalero, a traditional dish for this season. A characteristic of this dish is its mix of flavors, as it combines salty (rice, potatoes), sweet (pears, peaches), and spicy (ají) elements.

Through social media, some restaurants, such as Las Cuadras in Cochabamba and El Buen Comer in La Paz, have already included the traditional Puchero carnavalero on their menu.

Creating personalized or themed souvenirs is another business opportunity during Carnival. Water bottles, t-shirts, hats, and caps are some of the products that can be customized to match individual tastes and emotions.

Regarding services, pet care is an option for families planning vacations during the long Carnival holiday. Other services include pre- and post-celebration cleaning and express delivery for last-minute purchases during the festivities.

Both products and services should be promoted through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.

1. Creating custom masks or costumes for children and adults

For the Carnival festivities, creating custom masks or costumes is a great business opportunity. During these days, many people organize costume parties, and parades take place in the cities—key events where exclusive designs can be offered for both children and adults. Some entrepreneurs are already offering this service on social media.

2. Puchero carnavalero. Gastronomy is an option

Gastronomy is another ideal niche for entrepreneurship during the Carnival festivities. A typical dish for this occasion, such as Puchero carnavalero, can be prepared. In recent days, several food businesses have already started offering this dish on request.

Additionally, for these Carnival days, especially for Martes de Ch’alla in La Paz, dishes like lechón or fricasé can be offered.

3. Creation of personalized or themed Carnival baskets 

Every year, the creation of Carnival baskets, especially those intended for the traditional Comadres celebration, is an option for entrepreneurship during this season. For example, some brands offer baskets with beauty products instead of traditional items. Such is the case of Nunu Cosmética Natural, which offers unique baskets that include cherry lip balm and turmeric soap.

4. Party planning for Carnival, an alternative

For entrepreneurs dedicated to event planning, the days of Carnival, as well as the preceding ones like Jueves de Comadres, are key opportunities to generate income. They can offer packages to handle all aspects of fraternity or corporate parties, as well as family events. These packages can include everything from planning and decoration to catering and entertainment.

5. Cleaning before and after the party, a service to generate income

With the increase in parties during Carnival, both commercial and family gatherings, one option to generate extra income is offering cleaning services before and after the celebrations. This initiative can be promoted on social media with the goal of allowing clients to enjoy the festivities without worries.

6. Express delivery to “save” Carnival parties

Offering express delivery service is an alternative to generate extra income. This service can help people overcome last-minute setbacks during Carnival—when many organize various parties—such as last-minute purchases of drinks or food to keep the celebration going. Using an app to offer this service is recommended.

7. Decoration for Ch’alla in businesses, buildings, and homes

Decoration, especially with balloons, is a service requested by many people to comply with the traditional Ch’alla on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Generally, in La Paz, the first day is dedicated to businesses and the second to homes. For this service, having a portfolio with a variety of designs and proposals using different materials is key.

8. Offering photography sessions for parades or children’s parties

If you have skill or are a professional in photography, during these Carnival days you have the opportunity to offer photography services for parades or children’s parties. Despite the use of cameras in cell phones, many people require this specialized service to preserve memories of their children. Additionally, adult groups also seek this type of service.

9. Sale of personalized souvenirs, an innovative alternative

The sale of personalized souvenirs is an opportunity to take advantage of the Carnival festivities. Drinkware, t-shirts, hats, and caps are some of the products that can be tailored to the tastes and emotions of each person. These products can also be offered to groups or fraternities. According to experts, entrepreneurs can create an online store to reach more customers.

10. Pet care, a service for the long Carnival holiday

During the Carnival days, which are marked by a long holiday, many families plan trips and require pet care. This need presents an opportunity to offer this service, which can range from daily walks to in-home care. In La Paz, several entrepreneurs with experience and expertise in veterinary care have established pet accommodations.

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