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Name: Bar Mitzvah Bouncer

Type of business: Chaperone service for banquet facilities, synagogues and country clubs

Address: P.O. Box 169, Livingston, N.J. 07039

Telephone: (973) 758-9800

Web site: www.BarMitzvahBouncer.com

Number of employees: 15 bouncers

Founded: 1998

Top officer: Evan Wofsy, owner

How would you describe your business?

"We are a very unique service, where we provide parents and facilities such as country clubs the relief from having to worry about kids' behavior at parties. They don't have to be concerned about the kids running around or messing up bathrooms or throwing food at each other or the ceiling.

"We provide our service at sweet 16 parties, graduation parties, or parties held at catering halls, country clubs or individual homes. We travel throughout the state and into New York City. Our chaperones can accompany the kids to and from the event on the bus. For instance, if the bus is going from the school to the party the parents want to know that someone is supervising the kids and will be waiting with the chaperone until the parent comes to pick up their child. There is that safety aspect. A lot of times, the catering company, temples, or country clubs will hire us. Many times they have hired a private security company in the past and just a security company can't handle the kids.

"A lot of temples want us at the temple when there will be 100 kids at services. Our average estimate for an event is one bouncer for 50 kids. I recently had a parent who noted, 'these kids are a handful' and asked for three bouncers for 83 children," said Evan Wofsy, owner.

What makes your business special?

"The people I hire as bouncers are schoolteachers; most of them are middle school teachers so they are very familiar with the bar mitzvah-aged children. They have nice rapport and experience with the kids and are able to speak to them. We are so experienced with kids. We do this every weekend -- they don't stand by the wall with their arms crossed.

"By the time the party is over, the chaperones have walked at least five miles -- they are checking the bathrooms every 10 minutes, go to the parents, to the caterer to see if everything is OK. When they see two or three leave the room, they go after them to see what they are up to. Often, some of the kids will not want to join in with the dancers. They will stay and talk to the chaperones and be engaged with them. Those are some of the things we do going beyond straight security. Our motto is we will do whatever it takes to make your party a success."

What goals do you have for the business?

"My goal is to make sure when we are hired, the parents can't say enough good things about us at the end of the event. Or the country club will say I'll never do another bar mitzvah without those guys here. That is what I want. Because we are service industry, I want people to say 'that was amazing.' I send parents a thank you letter and a survey letter to the parents afterwards. The letters out have come back telling me 'I couldn't have done it without you,' Outstanding. That is such an emotional high for me. I'm there so people know they can rely on us year after year. The thing is, why do they have to worry about the kids? They spent all this money; let them relax. The last half-hour (of the five-hour party) is the hardest on the chaperones. You have to be on your toes to make sure nothing is happening."

How has your business changed?

"I started the business myself, and I would be at a bar mitzvah Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and Sunday. I was limited because I could only do one party at a time. Then I ran into a friend of mine who I knew from high school and was also a teacher. I told him what I was doing and asked him if he would be interested and came in and trained with me the first five parties so he knew what my standards and he was terrific.

"The business began to take off and now there are 15 bouncers. We've changed some of our procedures as well. If the chaperones go on the bus, they sit in the back so they can see what is happening in the bus. We also make sure we have the directions to the party because sometimes the bus driver doesn't have them. We also have a bus list from the parents so we know when the child is on the bus."

What was your most important deal?

"Getting my terrific staff. I am very picky about who I hire. I have three supervisors who are tremendous and four guys who are outstanding. Without my staff, I would have a much smaller business because I would be doing it by myself."

What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?

"We will go with the flow. Before the economy crashed, we were doing a lot of parties that were going into the city from New Jersey. The economy was hit, and we don't do as many of those parties. I believe we will start to do more of those parties when the economy improves. I predict we will continue to be a phenomenal company that provides outstanding service so when there's a bar mitzvah you don't have to worry about the kids' behavior. More and more people will see the need for this service and say, 'It makes a lot of sense.' And now many country clubs and catering halls are beginning to require security for the functions they have."

What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?

"Kids will be kids, and you have to look at all the variables involved and make sure nothing goes terribly wrong. The variables could be if it's a rainy or snowy day, if its camp versus school friends, whether the kids like the music. You just have to remember that that party is the most important thing for the family and this event is very meaningful. The most important thing I've learned is how to run a business. And that you always have to be friendly towards people even when you think they are wrong."

What advice would you give to someone considering your line of work?

"To understand this isn't an easy business. It's weekends and very little time for your family. It takes a lot of time, discipline, and commitment."

Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

"No. I enjoy running my business and making parents happy at bar mitzvahs and at country clubs. I happy we provide a unique service and I love doing it."