From: "Daisy" <balloondiva@home.com>
To: <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject: professional vs amateur
Date: Sun, 20 May 2001 21:16:37 -0700

>If the customer is happy simply to
have a warm body twisting balloons, then they aren't looking for me!<
Jack Porcello

I agree with Jack.  I turn down plenty of work here for the same reason.

>acrylic paints <

I've seen many clown and facepainter sites who make sure they mention that
all of their paints are safe, wash off with soap and water, etc.  I think by
just letting people know that, and that you are concerned with safety, etc.,
shows that there are people out there who don't, and that you're a cut
above.

When I have this sort of situation where I get complaints from people about
other performers, I'll give the other performer the benefit of the doubt -
"Wow, they must not have known the right kind of paints" (even though I know
they probably don't care).  This then keeps the conversation positive, and I
can sell myself in a positive way and show myself as a more experienced
performer.

This also shows my homework, which is important because I look a lot younger
than I am and I'm not often given credit for knowing what I'm doing until
people see me perform.   (Then they just think I'm nuts.)

Laura Dakin (Daisy)
Balloon Diva of Denver