CREATIVE INFLATION: Weekend 09/16

CREATIVE INFLATION: Weekend 09/16: As promised I am attempting to stay consistent with my posts on the Creative Inflation Blog. Once or twice a week I want to keep you guys up...

Weekend 09/16

As promised I am attempting to stay consistent with my posts on the Creative Inflation Blog. Once or twice a week I want to keep you guys updated on issues that pertain to my brand of "Bending" which is the word I have decided to use to describe the advanced balloon artistry I am known for. We Benders are an interesting bunch. Some of us end up in the balloon industry by accident. Some of us end up here by choice. One thing is for sure though, nobody stays in the balloon industry unless they have a reason. It's hard to learn how to make
"cartoon-balloons" (another description created expressly for describing the work I do at Creative Inflation) and unless someone is avid hobbyist who simply likes practicing their art-form and really appreciates being praised by family and friends, the truth is there has to be some type of financial reward for perfecting your skills as a balloon-artist and as an entertainer. It's not an easy way to make a living, and like any industry, there are slow times and financial struggles and periods of boredom and then finally that trade-show comes around and drops $2500.00 dollars in your lap for a days worth of work, and then you remember why you got into this weird career in the first place as you happily deposit what would be a month's salary for some people into your bank account. Of course big events like this also bring private party requests, usually for children's birthday parties, and those kinds of events can bring anywhere from $200.00-$500.00 dollars depending on how many kids are at the party, so as you have probably figured out, getting your name out there and actually being aware of what trade-shows, festivals and special events are going on around town is really the most important part of your business plan, right after becoming the world's best balloon-artist your neighborhood has ever known! The reality is, where yes, we are artists, entertainers and business owners, the most important part of our work day is searching for and planning out our schedule of events. You have to be diligent about finding new business each week. You have to do your research and find out what is going on in your community. What local organization is sponsoring what event? Who is putting together the local Fall festivals? What are the schools doing in honor of which holidays? How about churches and mosques? Some of the best events I have ever done, have been at an Islamic Mosque, who hired me twice to come out and entertain at their children's functions. I found every event I have ever worked by doing research on-line, making phone calls to groups I hoped would be interested and by answering inquiries from different types of people who had seen me or one of my benders, entertaining with advanced balloon artistry at some party or special event. The lesson here is that word of mouth advertising works, but that it's only part of a complex formula I use to constantly fill the sales funnel each week with new events to work all month long. There is a lot of planning that goes into running any type of business. I'd like to help shed some light on that planning process and help those of you who are interested in perhaps making money with your own balloon-company. This ain't rocket-science as they say! However, like anything worth doing, there are some
tips & tricks you might want to know about that have helped me become more successful along the way. I hope some of the things I plan to share in my next few posts will help you too. Stay tuned, because there's more to come!

Benders unite...    

=RICK=

CREATIVE INFLATION: The weekend of September 11, is always a date that...

CREATIVE INFLATION: The weekend of September 11, is always a date that...: The weekend of September 11, is always a date that comes and goes quietly, but will forever be recognized as one of the most tragic days in ...

The weekend of September 11, is always a date that comes and goes quietly, but will forever be recognized as one of the most tragic days in American History. In honor of the lives that were lost a decade ago, when 
New York's Twin Towers were destroyed by the now deceased leader of Al-Qaeda Osama Bin Laden, a memorial called, "Reflecting Absence" has been created to honor the men and women who died in that horrible event on 09/11/2001. http://gizmodo.com/5838844/how-reflecting-absence-became-americas-most-expensive-public-memorial I mention this here, because the Creative Inflation Blogspot is all about art, and how it exists all around us in the world. If you haven't seen the "Reflecting Absence" Memorial yet, take a look at the link I included with this post. It's impressive, and even it though it serves as a reminder of something terrible, it clearly illustrates once again, that art is life, and even in the arms of tragedy we can still cherish all that is beautiful. Art has great purpose in this life, and every opportunity to recognize the powerful impact art has on our lives should be recognized and respected. May the families and the victims of 9/11 find peace in the memorial that was created in their honor. May we never forget. 


I also want to mention this week that Creative Inflation was lucky enough to be part of the must see event, the annual, "I Like It Hot Festival" in Largo at Minnreg Hall Convention Center  


This was a spicy-food-fanatic's paradise on Saturday and Sunday last weekend, where everyone could sample some of Florida's best hot sauce, homemade salsas, and other spicy wares, complimented by live music, beer and of course the advanced balloon artistry of Creative Inflation! Good times were had by all, and we are really happy that we got to be part of such a cool event this year.

CREATIVE INFLATION: Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post...

CREATIVE INFLATION: Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post...: Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post for the Creative Inflation Blog! What can I say, life get's busy and I get more calls fro...

Wow! It's been a minute since I created a new post for the Creative Inflation Blog! What can I say, life get's busy and I get more calls from even more clients that want to add balloon-artistry to their next special event. Lately I've gotten calls from organizations like churches and mosques and businesses and people looking to entertain their guests at the up and coming birthday party for one of their three youngest kids! Heck! I've even been taking calls from the Girl Scouts who are excited about having me bring out our brand of advanced balloon-artistry to help them celebrate some particular miles stone in Girl Scout history that has a significant meaning and makes a  definite impact on the lives of all those girls and all their parents who work hard to maintain the positive force that keeps the Girl Scouts in motion all of the time. I am proud to be considered when large groups began planning events and looking for entertainment. It's an honor to be the go to guy for advanced balloon artistry and quality entertainment. Sure, there's other companies out there that will take what you pay them and try to raise the price as high as possible, while providing as little work as they can so as not to ever have to appear to be working very hard, but that's just not my style. Creative Inflation offers advanced balloon-artistry  that makes special events, fairs and festivals, as well as private parties and retail sales events MORE than memorable. We want the guests to be happy. We want the clients to be happy. Most of all, we want people to smile when they think of Creative Inflation. It's my belief that a fair price, brilliant work and a commitment to hard work and overall excellence is exactly the formula we should be using to become the best balloon-artistry and entertainment company we can be. Thanks to all those who have chosen to work with us this year. Please check back often, as I am about to launch a completely new program, designed to teach everyone who's interested how they can learn to do advance balloon-artistry too. I look forward to hearing comments on the things I am getting ready to teach. Who knows, some of you may even decide you would like to work with me. The more the merrier I always say! There is plenty of room here in the balloon industry. I will tell you more very soon.  =RICK=