——————— ABOUT US ———————

As founder, manager, and editor of Rouse.LINK, I am your number one source at Rouse.LINK, so let me give you a quick Catch-Me-UP on my story and credentials.

MY BEGINNING:
My own balloon-decorating journey began without the benefit of resources like these, and was less than successful. As a high‑school student, I led the prom decorating committee, but we arrived to find our helium balloon decorations scattered across the floor. We salvaged many of those balloons, but it was more than twenty years before I tried balloon decorating again.

SUCCESS AT LAST:
That next and successful attempt was early in 1982 with a bag of “twisty balloons.” I used them to make a balloon gift for a friend in the hospital. She loved it—and a new passion was born for me. That passion led to selling balloon creations to support a church building fund and, later, to fund my own part-time balloon business.

A SEMINAL INNOVATION:
In 1983, I created and added “RIBS™” (Rouse Internal Balloon Structures™) to my balloon sculptures to better control their shape and to improve durability. It worked, and, as it turns out, I was the first by several years to make, sell, teach, etc., internal structures for abstract sculptures and balloon “Fantasy Flowers” (as I called them). My inside-out approach and the “Fantasy Flowers” name are now standard fare worldwide in the balloon gift and decorating industries.

THE BIG STEP + 40
In 1984, I took the “BIG” step. I left my career as a statewide supervisor and facilities designer to become a full‑time balloon entrepreneur. Over the next four decades, my work in balloon art and in balloon‑decorating tools and techniques led to five patents, many new products, awards, exhibitions, publications, and teaching assignments on five continents.

A PIVOTAL YEAR:
1988 was pivotal for my life and balloon career going forward. I held a solo exhibition of my balloon sculptures at a public art gallery. I introduced new balloon-decorating products at an international convention. I was recognized as “Balloon Artist of the Year”. And, I met Mary Queen, an accomplished balloon artist who became my wife and lifelong partner.

CHALLENGES MET:
The year 2020 brought challenges for all of us as COVID‑19 disrupted the world and the balloon industry. Personally, I also faced major surgeries and a long recovery time. Like many in our balloon community, however, I adapted, healed, and continued forward.

RETURN:
Today, balloon decorating is thriving again, and I am excited to share “RouseLINK™ Inspiration, Education, Tools, Tips, and Techniques™“ with you.
Use them to “Stretch Your Balloon Imagination, Inflate Your Balloon Art, and Build Your Balloon Decor Success™. Rouse.LINK is here to help.

ENJOY YOUR CONNECTION
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1. Sign up below for your free RouseLINKnews™.
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I look forward to hearing from you, meeting you, and helping build your Balloon Decor Success, whether it is for a one-time occasion or a balloon-related career of your own.

[Insert email signup]

Graham Rouse
Rouse.LINK
RouseInternational.com
gmr@Rouse.LINK
gmr@rousetech.com
1-864.654.4166

POPULAR RouseLINK™ Links:
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Rouse.LINK/store…… Our Online store
Rouse.LINK/tools…… Tools/Products Galleries