MUNCIE -- Starting a business can be murder, especially in today's economy.

But Karmen Ailes and her daughter, Rebekah Ward, are channeling that potential financial mayhem into a murder mystery dinner business -- and in the process, giving 19-year-old Ward some practical business experience.

The two have created Appetite for Murder to stage murder mystery dinner parties. For $35, those attending get dinner, a participatory murder mystery and dessert.

"It's been really great for Rebekah," Ailes said. "She's been networking and doing things that normally kids at that age are not exposed to."

Ward agreed she's benefited from the experience.

"This has made me more confident talking to people about our business, and it's helped me to be more professional," said Ward, an Ivy Tech Community College student who designed the Web site for Appetite for Murder. "Seeing how much work goes into planning something like this has opened my eyes as to how much work a business really is."

Ted Baker, regional director of the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center, said the recession and job uncertainty has prompted many people to start their own business.

"We're seeing a tremendous amount of interest," Baker said. "What this young lady is experiencing is similar to what I've seen also. People are concerned about their kids. The safety net that's been there all these years is no longer there. Parents are saying, 'You'd better learn about the real world.'"

Interactive mysteries

When she's not "murdering" customers of Appetite for Murder, Ailes has a day job. She's an insurance agent for United Insurance Agencies.

But she developed an interest in murder mystery dinners after staging some for the Indiana Bed and Breakfast Association. Ailes is the preferred insurance agent for the group and has put on dinner mysteries for their membership, including 68 attendees at a French Lick conference.

Ailes uses "boxed" murder mystery games with some personal touches.

"It's not just something from which people read lines," she said. "It's very interactive and free-form."

Ailes' and Ward's mysteries will be staged at All Seasons Banquet Facility in Albany. Ailes and Ward handle the mystery, costumes and the like, and All Seasons takes care of the food.

"I'm not looking to get out of the insurance business to get into this," she said. "It's a good experience for Rebekah and something for the community to do."

Basic business steps

Baker said there are a few basic steps that anyone starting their own business must take.

"A good first step is to research the market," he said. "Ask the question, who will pay you money for what you do?

"Then make a business plan, which is necessary if you hope to get outside financing, but they're very important for internal processing. You can look at the plan and think things through and realize, 'That might not work, but this will.'"

Small Business Development Center is among the resources for would-be business owners. Baker said his office provides free and confidential services that include a business assessment, feasibility study and tools to take the next step.

Ailes and Ward are taking their next steps -- a June 6 dinner and mystery. They're already making some adjustments to their business, including a revamped pricing structure.

"When we first put up our Web site, our pricing was higher," Ailes said. "This is definitely a trial-and-error process for us."

Information about Small Business Development Center: 282-9950.

Information about Appetite for Murder: www.appetiteformurder.com.

Contact business editor

Keith Roysdon at 213-5828.