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| How are you combating
our current economic slow down? |
| The current economic
climate requires innovative ideas and changes in the
way we conduct business. In the spirit of helping others
in our industry please tell us some of the ways you
have found to service your current customers and find
new business. How can Balloonists cut costs and what
new tools can be used to market their talents. Is there
one sure-fire answer to keeping your businesses operating
and growing?
Email me your answer along with your name, company
and location: john@balloonresourcecenter.com
|
| Answers To Last Month's Question |
| Which Distributor, on-line
source or party store do you purchase your balloons and
accessories from, and why? |
| Is it product
selection, stocking of sufficient product, customer
service or proximity to your business? These are just
some of the factors that make balloonists choose their
sources. Who do you choose and why? |
I
use my local brick and mortar store (Mayflower/All American)
for a couple of reasons:
1. Convenience- I live only 8 miles from them- easy
to walk in and get a bag or two
2. People- The staff at our balloon store are a great
resource for tips, news, new products etc.
3. Relationship- problems, concerns, or issues are more
easily resolved when customers and staff know each other.
I can walk in and ask Glenna, Joe, Maria, Edwina, or
Tony where “this or that is”, and they can
tell me. “Do you have…?” and I can
get an answer- face to face, no hold music, no accidental
disconnect. – Phone trees are the bane of business
and should be outlawed, Designers and developers of
these sent to the dark dungeons of the pit of HOLD!
On the telephone one cannot get a real person to talk
to until we’ve navigated a maze of Bureaucratic
proportions- I believe these are intended to drive the
callers to hang up and I avoid doing business with those
who have them when possible.
4. Price is always a factor, but since I am a small
business, I run with a minimum set of stock ‘on
the shelf’ for reloading my gear. I need the flexibility
to buy one bag at a time rather than “save up”
an order of 200-300$ to get a discount then have to
wait two to three days for shipping. When I need a bag
of red, white or blue, I need it today, not three days
from now.
Ken Shute, "Super K"
Air Born Creations, Santa Ana, CA
|
Hi
John,
We get our balloons at All American Balloons because
they are close by and IF they have what we need in stock,
we can take it with us. The problem is that their new
store does not seem to cater to twisters and don’t
have all the colors we want or need. Betallatex has
lots of neat colors, but AA doesn’t have them.
We twisters kinda feel like they are trying to get rid
of us.
Also, where does the beginning balloon twister get stuff?
AAB only sells to people with resale licenses. Ha! That
makes it tough for the beginning twister to get balloons.
No one seems to know what to do about that.
So, the dilemma: do we order online from T Myers and
wait for them? Do we run to AAB and PRAY they have the
colors we need when we need them? They were out of RED
WHITE and BLUE 260’s for 4th of July. We are just
twisters. We don’t usually stock a lot of balloons,
(although we do keep a few thousand on hand) so what
do we do when they run out?
Anyway, there is my 2 cents. I love balloons and have
been twisting for 12 years. AAB was always great, but
since they merged with Mayflower, things are not so
good. Maybe they are still in transition, but geez,
how long does it take? It’s been 3 months now.
JoAnn Bowland, AirbornCreations.net,
Santa Ana, CA
|
My
name is Pam I own a home business in California, Balloon's
Unlimited. Interesting you would ask what makes you
buy what you do where and why. The last few month's
have been difficult. All American Balloon's sold their
business and the transition has not been a smooth one.
The new company is hard for me to work with for supplies
and I am unhappy with their web site it shows nothing.
The All American site that they say to continue to use
has not been updated still showing 4th of July.....
I like to see what is available on a web site and talk
to someone who knows current stock so if there is a
suggestion of a new product or they can offer a new
product to help the project I am working on I love it.
Customer service is # one, easy use of web page # 2,
comparable prices important, also how product is packaged
for mail.
I currently am using BWI and like their service and
love their web site easy to use and employees are friendly
and helpful.
Pam, CA |
I
have several distributors that I rely on:
#1. Rainbow Balloons, Woburn, Mass ...they offer wonderful
customer service along with a well rounded
offering of balloons. If they don't have it in stock
they will get it for you if at all possible. If you
order it before noon they will ship out the same day.
As a member of the BalloonPlanet Network I rely on them
always when I cannot locate product locally.
Way to go Billie and staff!
#2 Brody's 800 Balloons Chicago, Il....what can I say
about Lee Kaufman...he is our local Guy! Where would
Chicago be without him...he has bent over backwards
to accomodate our local Northern IL Balloon Network.
He comes to our meetings bearing our orders, supports
us anyway he can and listens to our needs. He sponsors
educational mini seminars and keeps us informed about
what's happening in the industry. If he does not have
what we need he will try to obtain it for us if at all
possible.
Pricing is great too!
#3 Lauderdale Paper, Hollywood, FL...Lauderdale Paper
offers a great mix of product for those of us who do
centerpiece work with or without balloons. They offer
mini classes on how to use their product every now and
then. I had the opportunity to send my daughter who
resides in FL to one of their classes and it was very
affordable. They offer information on how to best use
their
product and they offer customization of their foam products.
They keep their customers informed of what's happening
by way of the internet.
These are my top resources of which there are many...and
many different reasons for using them.
Arlene Kronowitz,CBA, A Whimsical Expression, Northern
Illinois Balloon Network,Pres. |
John:
For a supplier,
we mainly use MK Brody 800-4-Balloons. They are very
well stocked and will go out of their way to get something
for us if they do not carry it or have it in stock when
we need it. Lee is the best when it comes to being helpful,
and the same can be said for Tony and Mimi. We do not
hesitate to recommend them when someone need assistance
getting product.
Maureen Forman, CBA, BALLOONS
By MAUREEN, Northbrook, IL
|
Hi
John, Being a clown I really do not like to fool around
with the resale number. So I try to do business where
I can just pay the tax.
Joan Smith, Jo Jo The Clown, Brentwood, CA |
I
purchase from T. Myers, because even with shipping,
they are far cheaper than anyone else.
Kathy Ann Wittes |
My
Wholesaler of choice is Balloon World in Andover, Kansas.
There are a number of reasons why I order from Balloon
World, most importantly, customer service. They are
always willing to go the extra mile for their customers.
Paige and her staff are always so helpful and supportive.
She goes above and beyond to host informative educational
opportunities. We can always count on her when our QBN
Chapter needs help too. They are simply a great group
of people!
Helen Martich, CBA, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
My
favorite is Continental Sales in Sacramento. It's wholesale
so it's cheaper and they have great customer service.
Also because it's part of Northern California all my
deliveries are ground UPS but I still get them next
day.
My face paint supplies I get from Snazaroo.us
All my purchases are online.
Paula Moors |
Where
I order from depends on what, and how much I need to
order. If I just need a bag or two, I call my friend
Pat in the Hat, and pick them up from his house around
the corner. If I need a bit more than a few, and I need
them quickly, I order from Continental, as they will
get to me by the next day. If I need a whole bunch of
stuff, I order through TMyers, because they always have
everything I need and want; their selection can't be
beat.
Jeanine Von Essen, Hey Balloon Lady, San Jose, CA |
I
use two methods of buying balloons. If I need them fast
I pray the Hi-Rise Ballons in Round Rock TX has what
I need as they have 1 day service to me. Otherwise,
I call Pat Billlups sales rep who actually finds what
I need and has it shipped at the best price and deal.
Carolyn Moore, TOP HAT BALLOONS,
Magnolia, TX |
I
usually buy from US Balloon because they have free freight
and 2 day shipping. I used to always buy from Flowers
(Burton & Burton) but their shipping is slow and
freight is high....If it is something I need really
quick i will go to Arlington to All American Balloons
but with the price of gas i need to make it worth my
time and expense.
Sharon Sweeney, Balloonatics, Denison, TX |
We
use Balloon World of Andover, Kansas primarily as they
usually (1) stock all items we need, (2) are helpful
and supportive, and (3) they don’t have the large
minimums required by so many of the Other companies.
It doesn’t hurt that they respond quickly to our
needs and we can get our orders Shipped to us overnight
without “large” freight bills.
Leilani Stendebach, CBA, CWS,
RMP, CEP,
Event Planning by Leilani, Oklahoma City, OK
|
U.S.
Balloons because I can order today and I will receive
it tomorrow. Also the customer service is wonderfull.
Stephanie Pearson, A Balloon Filled World, Viewmont,
NJ |
Hi
John,
I use Joker and Mayflower but mostly Joker, they why
a large range of balloons and The worker are Great and
they call me by my name and ask how I'm doing. It's
just a fun place to shop. The aisles are a little tight
but they have what you want. At Mayflower the worker
in the showroom are very nice.
Rosie Haynes |
| Answers To August's Question |
| What "New Product"
is missing from the Balloon Industry? |
| I'm sure that at one
time or another you've said "If they only made...!"
Is there a shape or color that you wish the manufacturers
would make? Or a New theme or occasion for latex or
foil imprints? Or is there something other than Balloons
themselves that you would like to see available? |
Hello
John, This is a great question, I would love to see
someone come out with some Hands to put on characters,
a Sail Boat that doesn't have any writing on it, more
nautical shapes, perhaps a life preserver with lettering
you can put on it for the person's name.
Bambi Bremgartner, CBA, Aah-Inspiring Balloons, Long
Beach, CA |
Bring
back pearl emerald green, s'il vous plait!!!
Tim McConeghy's princesses' don't look the same without
that beautiful green gown!!!
JP Wieght, Phoenix, AZ |
I
think we need a 36in Chocolate Latex.
Carolyn Baker, Total Package Balloons, Los Angeles,
CA |
I
would like to see them bring back the 24" White
Smiley Face Latex Balloon. This is a Qualatex item that
was discontinued.
They are getting hard to find.
Diana Tucker, CBA, Balloons Express, Tulsa, OK |
Political
Theme .......... Democrat & Republican.
Ed Nash, CBA, Nash Balloons, LLC, Hillsboro, MD |
Hi
John, I think there should be a product to give the
top air filled balloon on top of balloon columes more
stability.
Joan Smith, Jo Jo The Clown, Brentwood, CA
|
Maroon
Latex full line of twisting balloons.
Marie Dadow, Surprise, AZ |
Hi
John, I would LOVE to see the following two shapes:
6" (approx.) donuts. Obvious uses are wheels for
cars, bases for small balloon sculptures, and accents
for many other types of arrangements. 6" (approx.)
diamond shaped balloons, especially CLEAR. These would
be wonderful accents to princess themed sculptures,
as well as incredibly useful with engagement / anniversary
themed sculptures and centerpieces.
Myer Goldstein, AKA Dr. B.A.Loonatic, MNR Enterprises,
Inc., Las Vegas, NV |
Since
the Sweet 16 is such a growing area more of a selection
in latex and their colors. Mostly pinks, purple, yellow,
etc.
Kim Mitchell, A Floating Affair Balloons, Flushing,
NY |
| Answers To July's Question |
| What brand of Latex
Balloons do you use and why? |
| With so many companies
making balloon products, both domestic and foreign,
deciding on what brand to use can be difficult.
Is it a matter of personal preference, need for specific
colors and sizes or other factors that leads you to
using one manufacturer's balloons over another? |
Brand is
not as important as availability. I predominately use
Qualatex, mostly because they are packaged in 100's
rather than Betallatex's 50's. Shapes are Qualatex because
there are more of them availabile at my local distributor,
though lately it seems they are trying to phase out
all twister supplies by attrition. But that is a different
question.
For me, I am going to go with the company that has balloons
in the variety, volume and availability to provide a
better service to my customers.
Ken Shute, Air Born Creations, Santa Ana, CA |
I use mostly
Qualatex. They have a great selection of colors and
are the most dependable.
When decorating outdoors, I use Tuf-Tex.
Helen Nartich, Balloon Illusions, Oklahoma City, OK |
I use mostly Betallic
balloons these days for my 160s, 260s, and 360s. I like
their colors better and the extra length is a big plus.
Their 260s are actually about four inches longer than
Qualatex's 260.I do use Qualatex as well, though. I
use Q's blush, mocha, pearl burnt sienna, silver and
gold, as well as a bunch of their printed and solid
rounds, their geos and 321s. These are the only two
brands I use.
Jeanine Von Essen, Hey Balloon Lady, San Jose, CA
|
Qualatex
- easiest to twist.
Nina Dees, Deesigns, San Mateo, CA |
I use Qualatex
because I am a QBN member and I find that they look
good and float longer.
Gwen McMillan, Affairs In The Air, Flushing, NY |
BETALLIC!
Their colors are more vibrant!.
Marie Dadow, Surprise,
AZ |
I mainly
use Qualatex. They have alway been reliable for me.
Vallery Washington, Say It With Balloons, Foster City,
CA |
I use Qualatex.
I think I use about 15000+ balloons. Maybe 200 are non-Qualatex.
Jason Hitch, Balloon
Creations, Urbana, IL |
We use
Qualatex for 95% of our balloon decor. Our preference
is for quality and the assurance that the product we
use is top quality with less waste, and we have virtually
all the sizes in the colors we need. We use Betallatex
for their Link-o-loons but cannot find the matching
colors in the round balloons locally and to order from
some of the distributors, require such high minimums
that we use Qualatex for the 5” and 11”
in the closest match or a coordinating color to finish
the look we are going for.
Leilani Stendebach, CBA, CWS, RMP, CEP,
Event Planning by Leilani, Oklahoma City, OK |
I use Qualatex.
That is what we have here in Israel. I would love to
work with Betalatex as well, but we can't get them here.
The other brand we have here are not good at all and
pop a lot,
so qualatex , in a way, is the only choice. makes it
easy to choose, doesn't it? I see it in a very simple
way, if a company has a good balloon in high quality
and great colors then I buy it.
What I love about betallatex is the packing and colors,
though the 360 pop more then the 350. Still sometimes
the color is worth the trouble. Never tried belbal,
and I would love to.
Asi Cohen, BLOWFISH,
Holon, Israel |
We use Qualatex
balloons-great quality!
Classic Party & Balloon, Abbotsford, BC, Canada |
Qualatex.
I'm a member of the Qualatex Balloon Network.
Diana Tucker, Balloons
Express, Tulsa, OK |
I use Qualatex
balloons. They are made of a thicker latex and I don't
have as much breakage. I also use Betallatex
LINK-O-LOONS for a large part of my decorating. Everyone
seems to be facinated, by them.
Marlene Duncan, A-Way 2 Go Balloons, Ft Lauderdale,
FL |
The two
quality brands of latex I use are Betallic and Qualatex.
When I do a job with a specific color of Betallic Link-O-Loons
I prefer to also use the same color rounds of their
brand on other pieces so my colors match. I use Qualatex
a lot because they are also a quality balloon and are
the primary balloon my local supplier carries. Both
are extremely good products and have large varieties
to choose from.
Janice J. Whitehead,
CBA,
Balloons By Janice, Blair, NE |
I use Qualatex
+1 Last forever
+2 Many choices
+3 Easy to buy
+4 Good education
Betallic
+1 The best shapes ever & great colors
-1 Hard to find shapes or colors u want (why bother)
Joan Smith, Jo Jo The Clown, Brentwood, CA
|
Above the
Rest Event Designs uses both Qualatex and Betallatex.
When it comes to rounds, our preference is Qualatex;
but we often use the Link O Loon system from Betalatex.
Both companies produce the high quality latex we prefer
to help keep our decor Above the Rest.
Diane Glandon, Above
the Rest Event Designs, Knoxville, TN |
I prefer
Qualatex. I've used others for the colors but find a
higher percentage of popping with the others.
Sandy Pressley, Creative Balloons, Inc., Warren, MI |
B's &
Q's mostly..... And those 'water balloons' -- for eyes!
J.P. Weigt, Phoenix,
AZ |
Qualatex...nuff
said.
Robbie Furman, Balloons By Robbie, Inc., Fairfield,
NJ |
I use Qualatex
for color match. I use PartyMate for the customers that
are on a budget. I really like the flexability of their
balloons and I do like the shape.
Carolyn Baker, Total
Package Balloons, Los Angeles, CA |
I most
always use Qualatex balloons in everything from 160's
to 646's and rounds. I do use betallatex specialty balloons
though ~ex. link-o-loons and different shapes. Qualatex
are the easiest for me to work with with the least amount
of poppage. I wish they would make all the colors in
all the sizes for more consistancy though.
Tonya McNeill, Twisted Critters -N- More, Montrose,
CO |
I most frequently
use Qualatex, Pioneer Balloon they usually have what
I want, colors, designs and design ideas.
I use Betallatic as well they are innovative which challenges
me to do more, their colors are great. Anagram for foils
are also good. I've tried others with not a lot of success,
New Look, were softer colors were great but they did
not fit other manufacturers shape in the end so that
meant I needed a whle new set of balloons. BSA I only
used for a short time.
Jacquelyne Caesar,
Balloon Odyssey, Crockett, CA
|
I only use Qualatex
latex balloons as in my experience since I started Balloon
Decorating they have consistently been the specific
colour and always the correct size I require. I have
tried out the competitors balloons but found them lacking
in consistent colour and size, thereby made working
with them more problematic. I don't really have a preference
with foil balloons, but do tend to stick with Qualatex
or Betallic for variety. After 8 years in this industry
personal preference does play a part in my decision
for my balloon supplier, but also base my choice of
ease of ordering, customer service provided by the supplier
and quality products. I believe out of the options available
to my business, Qualatex is by far the best option.
Linda Barker, Party
Essentials, Bomaderry, New South Wales, Australia |
| Answers To June's Question |
| Who do you know that
the industry should be aware of and deserves recognition? |
| In the
balloon industry there are many talented individuals
who have high profiles and names familiar to many of
us. However there are also many talented balloonists
who have not received recognition. Our question this
month is simply: Who do you know that the industry should
be aware of and deserves recognition? |
Locally
in Oklahoma City, I would say Treva Hart, CBA. She always
shares her knowledge she has picked up at the seminars
and her travels. She taught some twisting classes for
local people interested in learning more, and loves
to share.
In the USA, Troy Apprill
shares more than just balloon ideas, but also useful
tips and techniques that speed up the process in-house,
in transport, and in delivery. He is one very knowledgeable
balloon artist, and is such a wonderful representative
of the balloon industry with his skills and personality.
Leilani Stendebach, CBA, CWS, RMP, CEP, Event Planning
by Leilani,
Oklahoma City, OK
|
| Answers To May's Question |
| What Do You Call Yourself? |
| When someone
asks you what you do for a living how do you respond?
In my years of working with balloons I’ve heard
many different names given to what “balloon people”
call them selves. I have heard decorator, twister, deco-twister,
stacker, folder, bender, designer, balloon artist, balloonist,
entertainer and many others. |
When asked
what I do I never answer with "I'm a ____"
I always say something like " I entertain and bring
people together for a great time with balloon art."
Jason Vaughn, St. Louis Balloon Artist |
When People
ask me what I do for a living...I tell them in a straight
face...I am a twisticologist. They usually reply "what
is that?" and I reply I primarily work in the Latex
field. I than go on to say that I have been transforming
the latex into various shapes to be used in multiple
applications. Usually the conversation goes on for a
while until the person asks...You mean you make balloon
animals. I than say...yup!
Robbie Furman, Balloons By Robbie, inc., Fairfield,
NJ |
"Event
decorator"
Diane Glandon, Above the Rest Event Designs, Knoxville,
TN |
I call myself
a Balloon Artist to the general public. If talking to
another balloon artist, than I refer to myself as a
stacker because they know the language I am speaking.
Vallery Washington, CBA, Say It With Balloons, Foster
City, CA |
As we are
CBA's and we are decorators, we usually refer to ourselves
as balloon artists or balloon decorators. Treva (Hart)
is the only one here that twists, and we just refer
to that side of the business as deco-twisting.
Leilani Stendebach, CBA, CWS, RMP, CEP, Event Planning
by Leilani,
Oklahoma City, OK |
Balloon
Artist is the title I use.
Maureen Forman, CBA, Balloons By Maureen, Northbrook,
IL |
I use the
term Balloon Decorator. I think of it as all encompassing.
Jacquie Caesar, Balloon Odyssey, Crockett, CA |
In my hometown,
I am referred to as "Balloon Lady" ! I love
it!! I usually respond as owner of a party supply balloon
store...we do custom made balloons.
Brenda Medrano, Celebration Station, Marshall, MO |
We call
ourselves Balloon Coordinators because we assist customers
with their decor including all their party supplies
so is seems to fit.
Sue Wiebe, Classic Party & Balloon, Abbotsford,
BC, Canada |
Balloon
Artist and/or latex manipulator.
Paula Moors, Sunshine Annee & Co., Petaluma, CA |
I refer
to myself as a balloon artist/event planner.
Evelyn Torres, Times Square Balloons, LLC, Central Islip,
NY |
I describe
myself as a balloon decorator and tell them that I am
certified.
Janice J. Whitehead, CBA, Balloons By Janice, Blair
NE |
I've used
all but the decorator, folder, bender, and the stacker.
Ken Shute, Air Born Creations, Santa Ana, CA |
I call myself
an Event Decorator/Balloon Artist when asked what I
do for a living.
Tina Ladner, CBA, Creative Crafts & Decorating,
Poplarville, MS |
Depending
on the company I'm in, I may say I'm a "Latex origami
engineer. In other words, balloon twister." This
seldom fails to get a laugh.
Denzil Jackson , Orlando, FL |
I call myself
a Balloon Artiste! Then go on to explain that I make
balloons for kids. Most people have never seen really
awesome balloon art. I love what I do!
JoAnn Bowland, AirbornCreations.net, Santa Ana, CA |
Usually
I say I’m a Balloon artist, but most people still
need me to explain it to them. If they are in the balloon
business and understand then a can say Twacker. But
that still needs a bit of explaination. It’s one
of the latest terms I’ve heard for someone that
is both a twister and a stacker aka balloon artist or
balloon decorater. Twacker is just a combination of
the words Twister and Stacker. That should be a new
word for you.
Cary Tice, Enticing Balloons, Cypress, CA
|
Special
Event Decorator - specializing in custom balloon décor.
Or to my regular customer --- The balloon lady!
Joette Giardina, Party People Celebration Company, Lakeland,
FL |
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