I'm just starting out in the business, and have yet to do any line or restaurant work.

So my question is: how egalitarian do you have to be? If I do a one-balloon or two-balloon item for some of the kids, does that preclude doing any 3-balloon or 4-balloon items for other kids? Do the kids (or their parents!) complain if they see someone else with a slightly more elaborate balloon?

I was wondering mainly because I was watching some Buster Balloon vids, and he was talking about doing some of his more elaborate sculptures if it slows down in the restaurant, and I'm thinking, "Yes, but what happens when a whole crowd of new customers come in, and suddenly you have to pick up the pace? Will they see the bigger, fancier items and assume they'll get the same when you come to their table?"

Josh

I do all kinds of sculptures from 1 balloon models up to bigger sculptures, I generally judge it on the moment, I think it is a good idea to have simple versions of your bigger sculptures,  if I make a giant dinosaur for 1 child and then another child wants one as well then I will tell them that I only ever make 1 of the big sculptures and I have already made that however they can have a smaller version of it they can have which is still really good.

I think if your doing line work and you suddenly have to pick up the pace all you need to do it make it known to everyone, so when a queue starts to form just say to your next customers (but project in a louder voice so others can hear) that you need to speed up and you can only make the smaller sculptures.

When you move on to making the smaller more simple sculptures you should never tell people that you will make them a simpler sculpture, tell them it is a smaller sculpture but it will be just as awesome as the big sculpture. if you tell them it is going to be a simpler sculpture then they are expecting to come away with something not quite as good. if you tell them it is smaller but just as awesome as the bigger sculpture then they are expecting something exactly that, smaller but awesome.

Just remember, you are the boss in these situations, if you really need to then a little white lie won't do any harm (if you don't like the idea of lying then call it an embellishment of the truth)
"im sorry but if I make any more large sculptures then I won't have enough balloons to go round for the rest of the boys and girls"
"Im sorry but management has asked that I only make one of the larger sculptures"
"Im sorry but the big sculptures take a lot of effort to make and that has worn me out so I need to make some easier ones for a while"
"Im sorry but aliens have just landed and I need to get everyone finished as fast as I can so I can get home to meet them"

Rob

Hi Josh,

That is a really interesting point you have made there, and Rob has the best advice there, which is blag it out, which will only come through experience.

The main way I work though, is on a "pay by balloon" set up and as such I have a display board with a selection of models, all the same price, and all the same standard. It can be a bit stiffeling on the creative side, but everyone gets balloons of the same quality.

This link here shows the selection of balloons I do in these circumstances  https://www.facebook.com/balloonatic.ke ... nref=story

Well, thank you both! I appreciate your putting the benefit of your experience into words for the sake of those, like me, who're just starting out.

I'm looking forward to this most interesting journey...

I was just considering the whole "balloon menu" question. I think it would be a good idea to make one up, even if I end up not using it (or not using it often. It will depend on what sort of venues I gravitate to -- and which gravitate towards me!

Josh