Double celebration for balloon business mum Sonia

This year, marks the second anniversary since Sonia Dutton opened the doors of her new company Excitabal-loon.

Since then she has seen her business, based in Dean Road, South Shields, grow and now the company has become the only one in South Tyneside to employ staff who have completed an internationally-recognised qualification in balloon art after sitting the Qualatex Certified Balloon Artist Exam.

Mrs Dutton said: “I was looking for something that allowed me to work around the needs of my children who at the time were 18-months and three-years-old.

“Opening the shop allowed me to put my creative skills to use while giving me contact with customers. I love to hear about the events customers are planning.” Mrs Dutton added: “We have a professional and hardworking team who pride themselves on providing a professional and unique service.

“Whilst we believed we already provided an excellent service to our customers, passing the exam and gaining the qualification has proven that the team at Excitabal-loon have achieved the highest level of skill in balloon decoration and retail.

“Victoria Purvis-McGinn never thought that when she started the job in the balloon shop that within 12 months she would go on to pass a professional qualification which is internationally-acknowledged within the balloon industry.”

In the past two years, Mrs Dutton, says she has seen a huge growth in requests for professional balloon decoration for hen nights, engagements, christenings, baby showers, birthday parties and anniversaries.

The store caters for those across the North East with a delivery service, decoration on site as well as a customer stay and wait service.

The company has worked alongside the Charlie Cookson Foundation as well as corporate customers including the Mecca Bingo in Gateshead.

Victoria Normandale has worked with the company since it opened.

She said: “I love working with customers on personalised balloons , they are a perfect way to express yourself to a loved one and are the new alternative to flowers or chocolates.”

Excitabal-loon offers a range of balloon sculptures for children’s parties, school fetes as well as balloon bouquet deliveries to places of work, hospitals or a destination of the customer’s choice.

The team has also catered for themed events such as Under the Sea, Princesses and Pirates, Bond 007 and Caribbean Surprise.

Mrs Dutton said: “We have seen a great start to 2016 and with Valentines, Mother’s Day and Easter fast approaching, we are looking forward to helping many more people say it with balloons.”

Excitabal-loon is open Monday to Thursday, 9:30am until 5pm, Fridays from 9.30am until 6pm, Saturdays 9am until 5pm, and Sundays 9am until noon.

For information contact 0191 908 8706, 07811 631 002 or email [email protected]