A local restaurant, Maggie’s Lunchbox, hired me to make a balloon cake to promote their customized event cakes. The owner wanted something unique that would start a conversation about their offerings. Not only did they get a lot of interest in their baked goods, but I’ve received many compliments on my creations.
The first sculpture was so popular that the restaurant wants a different cake every week. The only criterion is that the sculptures be eye-catching and distinctive. I’m thrilled by the challenge of creating a new and unique design for them every Monday. I’ve already got weeks of ideas in my head. Colors and designs and shapes and weaves…..
More importantly, I’ve already received a couple of bookings from the sculptures.
So, what marketing plan did I put in to place to obtain this steady gig? Postcards? cold-calling? Coupons? Door-to-door offers? No. It would have been difficult to walk in to a breakfast/lunch restaurant and sell them on the idea of balloons. This never would have turned into a weekly “restaurant gig”. They’re not open for dinner, they get very few families and they don’t offer a kid’s menu. And since they just recently opened, they’ve had dozens of sales reps come in the door with great “marketing ideas” and “advertising opportunities”.
So how did I get me foot in the door?
I met the owner at a networking event hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce. I’ve been a member for several years and I got in the habit of bringing a different sculpture to every meeting, (read the July 1 blog). The event was a picnic and I created a hamburger and french fries on a plate. We began talking about the range of balloon sculptures and hatched the idea of promoting their custom event cakes using balloon cakes. They get business from customers asking about the balloons and I get business from people eating at the restaurant.
A win-win.
I can’t stress the importance of showing people what I do. I can explain balloon sculpture to them all I want, but nothing beats seeing something never seen before. But more importantly, I got a steady job by thinking differently about balloon art and getting a client to see the potential of increasing her profit.
If you’re in the area, stop by and see this week’s balloon dessert:
Maggie’s Lunchbox
867 Horan Dr
Fenton MO 63026
Let Kari or Ben know how much you like the balloons. And have one of Ben’s fresh baked cookies. You deserve it.
Thad James
SAMMY J Balloon Creations
“Balloon entertainment with a twist!”
The first sculpture was so popular that the restaurant wants a different cake every week. The only criterion is that the sculptures be eye-catching and distinctive. I’m thrilled by the challenge of creating a new and unique design for them every Monday. I’ve already got weeks of ideas in my head. Colors and designs and shapes and weaves…..
More importantly, I’ve already received a couple of bookings from the sculptures.
So, what marketing plan did I put in to place to obtain this steady gig? Postcards? cold-calling? Coupons? Door-to-door offers? No. It would have been difficult to walk in to a breakfast/lunch restaurant and sell them on the idea of balloons. This never would have turned into a weekly “restaurant gig”. They’re not open for dinner, they get very few families and they don’t offer a kid’s menu. And since they just recently opened, they’ve had dozens of sales reps come in the door with great “marketing ideas” and “advertising opportunities”.
So how did I get me foot in the door?
I met the owner at a networking event hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce. I’ve been a member for several years and I got in the habit of bringing a different sculpture to every meeting, (read the July 1 blog). The event was a picnic and I created a hamburger and french fries on a plate. We began talking about the range of balloon sculptures and hatched the idea of promoting their custom event cakes using balloon cakes. They get business from customers asking about the balloons and I get business from people eating at the restaurant.
A win-win.
I can’t stress the importance of showing people what I do. I can explain balloon sculpture to them all I want, but nothing beats seeing something never seen before. But more importantly, I got a steady job by thinking differently about balloon art and getting a client to see the potential of increasing her profit.
If you’re in the area, stop by and see this week’s balloon dessert:
Maggie’s Lunchbox
867 Horan Dr
Fenton MO 63026
Let Kari or Ben know how much you like the balloons. And have one of Ben’s fresh baked cookies. You deserve it.
Thad James
SAMMY J Balloon Creations
“Balloon entertainment with a twist!”
Hi Sammy!
ReplyDeleteThis is Mrs. Bunny, The Clown! I just found your blog and it's very interesting. Some of the good things you shared with my husband and I at Ponderosa I still remember and have incorporated them. You are still an awesome entertainer!