WHEN JULIE Mitchell and her husband, Matt, bought Bounds of Fun in 2018, it was a modest side venture that included seven inflatables and a few rentals passed along by a previous owner who didn’t have the time to grow it.
“We thought it might just be something fun, something to do on the side,” Julie said. “We didn’t really know we could grow it into what it’s become today.”
Six years later, the Manchester-based business now has more than 25 inflatables, interactive games, over 20 tents — some as large as 40 by 160 feet — hundreds of tables, over 1,000 chairs, and even dance floors.
In 2024 alone, Bounds of Fun serviced 555 events across Middle Tennessee, delivering over 15,500 individual rental items.
The business’s growth has been steady and intentional.
“There were really only two other major party rental businesses in the surrounding counties until you get to Murfreesboro or Nashville,” Julie said. “So we just kept buying more equipment, especially when people started asking for things.”
Julie follows a personal rule when considering big-ticket additions: “If I get three or more requests for something, that’s when I say, ‘OK, we need to get the ball rolling in that direction.’”
This customer-first approach is part of what makes Bounds of Fun stand out.
“I want our customers to check us off their list and not worry about us again,” Julie said. “I tell them, ‘You can call, text, or email me any time, and I will handle it. We’re not something you’re going to stress about.’”
That personal connection is a cornerstone of how she runs their business. Despite now managing a team of eight employees and overseeing dozens of deliveries each week, she insists on being present for the big events.
“[For] every wedding and every corporate event, we’re there on-site. Our customers see my face,” Julie said.
Matt, who works full time at a local Air Force base, is “behind the scenes” working together with Julie to make the business run smoothly, but also steps in at job sites when needed.
“I’ll say, ‘I need you to take off work for this one,’ and he’ll be there beside me,” she laughed. “It’s a family affair.”
That family includes their two children, Lucas, 10, and Zoey, 7, who sometimes join them on job sites.
“They love being part of it, and we love including them,” Julie said.
Her passion for celebrations and hosting was the real draw, even before she entered the rental industry.
“I’ve always loved hosting parties and holidays. I just love the joy it brings to help people create memories,” she said.
Helping customers navigate the often-overwhelming world of event planning has become a specialty.
“People call about tents, and I ask how many guests. What do you want under the tent? A dance floor, round tables, or rectangular tables? Sometimes they have a clear idea, sometimes they don’t. So I send pictures, personalized tent and seating layouts, and suggestions until they feel good about it,” she said.
One of her favorite events each year is the Dusty Elam Foundation’s annual benefit, which supports children with disabilities in the Manchester community. The Friday before the benefit, the foundation hosts “Dusty’s Day,” inviting local schools to bring children with disabilities by a bus parade through town to enjoy the inflatables for free.
“It’s just so special,” Julie said. “Our son is autistic, so this cause is really close to my heart. Seeing those kids have fun and be celebrated — that’s my favorite event of the year.”
Still, the job isn’t without its challenges.
“Weather is the biggest [issue],” Julie said. “Tennessee weather is wild. I check the forecast multiple times a day. If we have 30 deliveries on a Friday and a thunderstorm is coming, we move everything to Thursday. It’s a constant logistical puzzle, but we make it work.”
Another challenge is managing the varied personalities of her clientele.
“Some people want to talk 50 times between booking and the event. Others book the first time we speak and say, ‘See you in six months!’ And both are totally fine, but you have to adapt to every personality,” she said.
Her flexibility and dedication have earned the Mitchells a reputation in the community for being dependable and trustworthy.
“People know that when we say we’re going to do something, we’re going to do it. They don’t have to worry.”
After initially purchasing the business with Matt’s brother and sister-in-law, Julie and Matt became the sole owners in late 2022. After several years of operating from garages and leased spaces, they recently moved Bounds of Fun into a permanent warehouse in Manchester.
Looking ahead, Julie aims to continue growing Bounds of Fun, not just for the sake of the business, but for the well-being of her family.
“I would love to grow it enough that if Lucas or Zoey want to be involved one day, the opportunity is there, especially for Lucas. If he needs a job when he grows up, I’d love for this to be a safe and welcoming place for him,” she said.
Julie said Bounds of Fun isn’t just about bounce houses and tents, it’s about creating memories and peace of mind.
“There’s nothing that makes me happier than when a customer sends me a picture after an event and says, ‘You made the process so smooth, everything was beautiful,’” Julie said. “That’s the goal — to be a small part of someone’s big memory.” GN
