My Employment in a Balloon Shop
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
United States
January 1, 2007 6:58pm CST
My good friend owned a local balloon shop. It had been in business for about 10 years. She needed a helping hand and I volunteered my time. That is what good friends do for one another. What fun it is to design a bouquet of balloons. I have quite an eye for color and patterns, etc. My friend wanted to hire me full-time, but was unable to do so. After working for her for about a month, I found employment. I really didn't want to leave the shoppe. We had become quite a team. She said that I was the best person she had ever have help her run the shop.
Two years after I took the other job, she was forced to sell the business. She was not able to put the time into the shop that it required. I miss working with her. It was such fun. Balloons bring such joy to many, who would have thought it was one job that I loved most.
10 people like this
20 responses
@magikrose (5429)
• United States
2 Jan 07
That is awesom that you found something you enjoyed and was good at. It is sad that her business had to end tho. Why dont you 2 start it up again? If it was something you both enjoyed and it made money I think it would be worth doing again.
4 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
2 Jan 07
She didn't make enough money to be able to support 2 people.
1 person likes this
@euniceeleanor (5966)
• Singapore
2 Jan 07
this sound lovely...and so sorry to hear that she have to sell off the business...we dont have any balloon shop here...so it really sound interesting to be in one there...why do you have to leave...isit because of the salary?
4 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
2 Jan 07
She could offer me little as pay. I needed something to occupy my time and what better way than to help her out.
@creativedreamweaver (7297)
• United States
2 Jan 07
That is really too bad Elusive. I know what it means to find a job that you love and enjoy doing with all your heart. It is the best feeling in the world, especially when it brings joy and happiness to others. It's too bad, the two of you couldn' start a partnership and begin a new baloon shop. It sounds like you were quite a sucessful team. If you were partners, then she wouldn't be paying you, you would both be sharing the profits. The small business administration gives loans to start businesses, especially to minorities and women, seeking to begin their own business. I don't know if you're interested, but it sounds like you really loved it there, and that is what truely matters in life. I'd like to see you doing something you enjoy. Have a great day my friend.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
2 Jan 07
She did mention something about opening up a shop. We would have to increase the line of goods that were sold too. You can now buy balloons at local department stores and the dollar stores too. Why pay more for balloons when you need only spend a dollar?
2 people like this
@wyykidd (1459)
• Singapore
2 Jan 07
I am sorry to hear that your friend had to sell the business and you did not have the opportunity to pursue your interest any further. It must have been a sad moment for you both.
Hopefully you might have the chance to work together again in the near future, pursuing something you both enjoy...
All the best!
@mfrancq (1806)
• United States
2 Jan 07
It is horrible when you finally find a job that you absolutely love and it just doesn't work out for you. I used to work at an insurance company doing medical coding and billing. I loved it! It was challenging, the people in the office were wonderful, and there is nothing better then being at work and being able to listen to your headphones and type all day on the computer. I never dealt with a single customer or phone call. I got pregnant and the pregnancy was very difficult so I was put on bedrest. Unfortunately, the insurance company didn't have patience to wait on me to get back, so they "laid me off". A nice way of saying I was fired without them getting in trouble for it. I still miss it, but I guess you just roll with the punches. ;)
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Sounds like the place that just let me go after they hired a new manager and support staff. After 6 years the said I could no longer do my job. They set me up for failure. Their loss...I have heard nothing but complaints from my former clients since then.
1 person likes this
@shtiftseller (70)
• Romania
2 Jan 07
BALLOOONS yeaahhh.. i love ballons..thats why i started working with a few friends doing some decorative stuff in restaurants...( olny on week-ends)it's so much fun..i love it and i also make a few $$ of it .. its one of those paying hobby's:) you should always do what you like ..that's what i always say..:P
@maryannemax (12154)
• Sweden
2 Jan 07
i am sorry to hear about your friend's business. i know she loves the business and sad to sell the business. i hope she feels better soon with your care and understanding ofcourse. i hope you two can work together as one again since you seem to be a very good pair.
1 person likes this
@Angelwriter (1954)
• United States
2 Jan 07
That sounds like a fun job. It's really good when you can find something you're good at and enjoy. Add something that makes other people happy, and it's one of the best jobs.
1 person likes this
@rakinitin (685)
• Canada
2 Jan 07
Working in a balloon shop sounds like lots of fun. It's hard to find someone you enjoy working with like that. It's sad to hear of her loss and I hope there are better things ahead for both of you.
1 person likes this
@katprice (805)
• United States
2 Jan 07
That's very cool! Looks like you are able to let the creative side in you come out and do a really good job there at the shop. Bummer that you had to leave. My husband worked with a guy for awhile and ended up finding work closer to home and the same thing happened, the guy had to close his business because he could never find anyone as dependable as my hubby to help.
1 person likes this
@Muslimah (811)
• United States
2 Jan 07
this is such a warm topic. its a shame she had to close down. But your a good friend for helping her for the time you did....people dont come how they use to and its hard to find TRuE friends now of days. take care.
@jonezy (293)
•
2 Jan 07
that is quite an interesting read, i have never seen a baloon shop in my life and didnt actually know they had some, thats my thing lernt for today then! its shops like that, that i am really amazed at, you would have to build up quite a large public support would you not to be able to run a business purely on the profits coming from balloon sales? or it might be that around here people dont buy enough balloons! yes, sorry to hear she had to sell the business and i hope it went to an owner that will be able to put the time into it, and hopefully get a nationwide chain going so that i have the honour of walking down my high street and finding a balloon shop!
@Lydia1901 (16351)
• United States
6 Jan 07
Yeah, that is something. Maybe one day you and your friend can open up a Ballon Shop and see where it goes.
@kareng (80243)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Sounds like a fun job indeed! I'm sorry your friend has to close up shop.
@shywolf (4514)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Working in a balloon shop sounds like such a fun job. I wish that I could find employment in such an entertaining business. I'm sorry that you couldn't keep the job and that your friend had to sell her business. I can see why you enjoyed working with your friend so much. I also like the idea of a 'bouquet of balloons'. I haven't heard that phrase in a long time. One usually thinks of a bouquet of flowers! ^_^ Anyway, thanks for sharing your story with us! ^_^
