Flower Clown/RonFowler started making balloon animals as a hobby in 1988, went out into public in 1997 and went full-time in 2000. Over the years I has used my engineering skills to create the tools I needed to make twisting easier and faster. The first thing I found I needed was a bag to hold all the different shape, size and colors of balloons. I borrowed a sewing machine and went to work. The Big Balloon Bag was created in 1998 and has had many improvements over the years ending with the Namaste Bag. I spend a lot of time with tailors in Nepal getting clown costumes, bags, folders and handicrafts made. I know what I need and have good friends to make it happen. I know enough tailoring experience to design great bags but I'm no master tailor. I speak a little Nepali but if needed I can stitch what I want to get my point across.
In the past 5 years I really started focusing on the Bagalloon as a business. I set-up a room in my Nepali friend's house with a sewing machine and cutting table. I have been using four factories for my production but I want to bring all the bagalloon production under one/two roofs where I can oversee quality and production. I have always wanted to have all my products made fair trade. At this point I'm about 40% fare trade but want to do more.
In 2017 I attended my first Balloon Convention where I vended Bagalloon. I have only sold out of my house via my web-store. Sales were never great but I had a good following and the few people who purchased my bags loved them. I understand the business and you need to see and feel a balloon bag before you buy it. Well I did way better then I ever thought I would have. I sold out of many of the items I brought and people gave me some really wonderful ideas on what would make the perfect balloon bag. I took this info and 2 weeks later I was in Nepal designing with my team the perfect balloon bag, Lisa's Aloha.
Well, I started taking on-line custom orders for production in Nepal during summer/fall. Sales were very good and after these bags start showing up at gigs, conventions and balloon jams I know people will love as much as I and other do and more order will come.