Carole Middleton, often dubbed the “British Kris Jenner,” has carved a niche for herself in the business world, showcasing both entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. Her journey began when she met Michael Middleton while working at British Airways—she as a flight attendant and he as a flight dispatcher. Their professional collaboration took a turn towards entrepreneurship, leading to the establishment of the highly successful Party Pieces.
In 1987, as Carole struggled to find suitable party supplies for Catherine, Princess of Wales’s fifth birthday, inspiration struck. Frustrated by the lack of appealing options, she recounted the challenge in a 2021 Daily Mail interview. “All I could find were basic clown plates,” Carole shared. Recognizing a gap in the market for affordable and aesthetically pleasing partyware, she took matters into her own hands, designing prototypes that she initially pitched to High Street retailers. Despite initial rejections, Carole persevered and decided to launch Party Pieces from the comfort of her home, initially focusing on mail-order sales.
The business quickly evolved, embracing online sales and expanding its reach internationally. In 2021, an announcement was made regarding Party Pieces being available in selected physical stores, marking another milestone in its growth.
Notably, Michael Middleton made a significant career shift, leaving British Airways to join Carole in steering the Party Pieces ship. The Middleton siblings, including Kate Middleton, have all played roles in contributing to the family business at different points in its journey.
The story of Carole Middleton and Party Pieces serves as a testament to the power of identifying market gaps, resilience in the face of challenges, and the collaborative efforts of a family that has not only navigated the intricacies of the business world but also managed to create a lasting legacy in the party supplies industry.
