Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991 TAG: 9104120694
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WENDI GIBSON/ STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They are the owners of Giggle Grammms and Happy Time Balloons in Roanoke.
"Charm the people and make them feel special," says Glenn. That's the purpose of this singing-telegram and balloon-decorating service.
In business for nearly a decade, Giggle Grammms has emerged from a small outfit working out of a room at the Patrick Henry Hotel to a profitable singing message service featuring more than 60 costumes.
And if they don't have the costume ordered, they'll try to make it.
The Walthalls have cultivated their success gradually, not giving in to the temptation to expand too quickly.
"We started off at the hotel, then got the van, then the balloon delivering,then the balloon decorating," says Lee. She bought the 2-year-old business, formerly Mirthful Messengers,in October 1983.
The last expansion was the purchase of their home, near Towers Shopping Center, from which they operate. Lee says the new home is probably one of the best decisions they have made because of its central location in Roanoke.
One of the difficulties of the business, however, is finding talented telegram messengers. "We agonize over the messengers," says Glenn.
Lee visits high school and college drama classes to recruit some of their entertainers. Others are referred for auditions by messengers.
About 35 to 40 percent of the business, however, is the balloon-decorating service. The Walthalls are members of the National Association of Balloon Artists, an organization that meets throughout the year to trade ideas and conduct classes on the latest balloon techniques.
If it weren't for these conventions,Glenn said, the ideas for creative balloon displays would be much harder to come by.
Glenn said it's hard to outdo the last decorating gig because they are their only major competition.
In their 10 years of business, the Walthalls have stuck with one simple creed: keep it clean.
This has kept their rapport with restaurants - typical locations for their personalized tunes and trendy balloons - on a harmonious note.
Giggle Grammms has seen mostly prosperous days for most of its short history. The exception was the fourth quarter of 1990, when business was singing the blues with most of America.
Business declined slightly during the Persian Gulf War, Lee explained. "People just didn't feel they should be celebrating."
But business is back to normal - about 20 deliveries a weekend and two or three major decorating jobs a month.
by CNB