Yolanda and Daron Harvey had to buy a cover for their car, because there is not much room in their garage any more. That is where they store all their thrones.

Since November 2020, the Warwick couple have been running The King and I Enterprise, renting out decorative, luxury thrones for birthday parties, weddings, bridal showers and other events.

“When people see our thrones they get so excited,” Mrs Harvey said. “It gives them great joy, and it helps us to supplement our income.”

The Harveys talked about starting their own business for years, but Mrs Harvey was always busy with her job at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and he was focused on being a prison officer.

It wasn’t until they were home during the early days of the pandemic that they seriously started to consider it.

“Covid gave us a new perspective on life,” Mrs Harvey said. “If you limit yourself you will never reach your true potential. One day we sat down and had a serious conversation. I said let’s do this.”

Mr Harvey thought a throne rental business would be a good idea because thrones are hard to find in Bermuda.

Mrs Harvey has a talent for sourcing things. She did some research and found thrones to buy on the internet.

“We ended up getting them out of the United States,” she said.

They were able to get the business going fairly smoothly because Mrs Harvey already has experience running another business Island Auto N Accessories.

She also took a small business seminar with the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, a few years ago.

“That was helpful,” she said. “I also went to the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation. I said this is our idea, and was told what factors to have in place.

“I did not find the process of setting up too difficult. When you have done it once, it is enough to rinse and repeat.”

When they launched, things were still a little quiet in the community.

“Then someone’s mother posted on the Facebook group, Maj’s List, that they were looking for a throne for their daughter’s event,” Mrs Harvey said. “A few friends of ours tagged us in and I said I would be happy to help.”

Now, many of their clients are event planners looking for that extra special touch.

The King and I Enterprise offers 11 different thrones of different sizes and styles including four for children.

“Our biggest challenge is predicting what type of events people will need a throne for,” Mrs Harvey said. “It is more of an add-on. It is not a necessity, but it adds an extra bit of flair.”

The couple have three children. “My kids love going with us to events,” Mrs Harvey said. “When my son, who is nine, comes home he will say do you have any installations this evening?”

And Mrs Harvey is using the business as a learning tool for her 11 year old daughter.

“I try to teach my daughter this is how you price your products,” she said. “This is how much a product costs. You have got to consider duty and wharfage.

“You have to consider how it is coming to Bermuda and factor in your fees and you still have to put a markup on it to make a profit.

“I feel like my kids will become entrepreneurs. Maybe they will be their own bosses one day.”

For more information see thekingandienterprise.com, e-mail info@thekingandienterprise.com or call 537-9444