Thursday, April 18, 2013

Qualatex Event Puerto Rico 2013

This was the first time that I have visited one of the Caribbean Islands, and although the island is small approximately 100 miles long and only 35 miles wide the welcome was huge!


Qualatex Event Puerto Rico Event Hotel... yes, it's true!







Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico in 1493, and the name Puerto Rico actually means 'Rich Port', due to it's worth as an important sea port... today Puerto Rico has many claims to fame including being the rum capital of the world and home to the worlds largest radio telescope along with being adorned with the most beautiful flora and forna and some incredible creatures such as the 'Coqui', a tiny tree frog and the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtles! Thank you Benny Nieves for my final evening guided tour and history lesson, it was just perfect!


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Balloon Industry Heroes and Inspirers. Part 2


Heroes and Inspirers! 
Part 2

Ted & Betty Vlamis - Pioneer Balloon Company
I am so excited to present the second part of this blog. Just in case you did not read part 1, I asked some of my balloon industry friends to share with me who their ‘heroes or inspirers were? I limited each person to a maximum of three people knowing that it would be hard to select only one, but easy to list many! As you will see, not everyone stuck to the rules of only 3 heroes :)


Once again, if you would like to add your own personal heroes please feel free to add them to this post in the comments section below. 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Who's your Balloon Industry Hero? Part 1


Heroes and inspirers! Part 1

Whether a hero or an inspirer, I would suggest that most of us can name at least one person who has given us the urge to do what we do today, In fact, I would like you now to stop reading for just one moment, and consider who might be your ‘hero’ and why? Can you think who it is?

If you would like to be part of this blog why not add your hero at the end by simply using the comment section, I would love to hear who your hero is and why...

Monday, April 1, 2013

Decor Fusion Tour March 2013 - Thank you Australia!


Deco Fusion Tour 
 Sydney Wednesday 6th - Perth Sunday 10th - Brisbane Wednesday 13th & Melbourne Sunday 17th March 2013.

Sue Bowler
Wow, after months of preparing and planning, my trip to Australia has already happened and I am now back in the UK preparing for my next trip away!


Visiting Australia always leaves me filled with great memories and this trip was no exception!

Firstly, I would like to start by thanking the awesome Qualatex Australia Team, who worked so hard to make the tour possible! Bruce & Rachelle Fraser and the very lovely Karli Hose, who work very hard to prepared everything to make my life so much easier:)
 The super organised Kari Hose - Qualatex Australia


Monday, March 25, 2013

Babies Babies Babies!


Whether a new baby or a baby shower, there are many opportunities to create exciting balloon decor and designs for this very special event! 

Qualatex
Rachel Ellen Baby Boy Stroller - 50253

Sue Bowler
Design based on a Rachel Ellen balloon by Sue Bowler CBA.


Did you know that the custom of buying gifts for new parents goes back as far as the Ancient Egyptians and Romans!



















The purpose of a baby shower is to ‘shower’ the mother-to-be with advice, support and gifts and is usually hosted by family or close friends.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Marketing on a Shoestring - Part 2 Targeting Opportunities

Targeting Opportunities

Marketing on a Shoestring


In my last shoestring marketing ideas article (Part 1) we looked at how to create flyers with tear off vouchers offering a free balloon or incentive with a first order! This is a great way to get customers either through your store door or to call your business. 

Very best balloon blogWe can make the flyers target specific by creating posters for big seasonal dates such as Valentines and Mother’s day or we can make them more general and target certain groups such as people with babies & young children. How you design your posters and where you leave them will be the key to your success! It has been suggested that gyms and sports clubs are a great place to find new customers, milestone birthdays and wedding designs could be how you approach this market? Remember, your marketing efforts may also lead to bigger and greater enquires, so it would not hurt to state that you offer a full decorating service too! 
Use your flyers wisely and show a few key designs that will appeal to the market that your are targeting! 
Do not be afraid to add prices to the designs that you are showing, lets face it, would you ever go to a restaurant or a shop that does not show any prices? It is an automatic reaction, if there are no prices shown, it must mean that it is too expensive or that we cannot afford it!


Now it’s time to look at some other marketing ideas!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Ninja Turtles Down Under... awesome balloon sculptures!


Last week I arrived in Sydney, Australia for the start of my Deco Fusion Tour with Qualatex Australia! 
I was not the only person busy working with Qualatex balloons, Matt Falloon and a group of talented artists were busy building 'Ninja Turtles' at Darling Harbour.

I asked Matt if he would tell me a little bit about his amazing project...

The Turtles:

The Ninja Turtles came about because of another balloon twister friend of mine being unable to take a job of this level due to full time work. He graciously passed it on to me.




I tapped into the loose network that had been set up in Sydney of balloon artists, Face painters, clowns, magicians, and some who are all of the above, and asked them to be involved.

I had a great response! I ended up with a team of about thirteen twisters, all of varying skill levels, from all over Sydney and the Central coast, all of which had volunteered with no thought of payment. (There was a modest payment allocated in a very tight budget).