Greetings! I am writing this column in early September, prior to becoming Ialei’s first Canadian, and first female President during Fun Expo September 2004. I have been on the Board of Ialei for seven years, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead our membership in a presidential capacity.

I have been in the “Fun” business for twelve years, and continue to be very passionate and excited about the industry. My husband and I own and operate FEC's. We will be launching our NEW, birthday party and event business, Hero’s, at Fun Expo.

Our industry saw periods of rapid growth and decline in the nineties and the trend is starting again today. History is poised to repeat itself, if folks continue to make the same mistakes of the past. Copying a bad plan rarely produces a new outcome. I have ridden the roller coaster in this industry – slow climb to the top followed by the sometimes rapid decent of the learning curve that almost always packs financial (losses) and humility (ego busting) lessons.

What’s required is an approach that’s new and differentiated, and focused, with strong business systems and practices that can be utilized to produce a consistent end result. People buy consistency. People want exactly what they want, the way they want it. Customization. If you can’t give them this, then you better have low price. And since most competitors (in any industry) will enter new markets on price alone, price only works until someone can do it cheaper!

These factors prompted my husband and I, along with Frank Price of Birthday University, to combine all of our experience in the children’s and family entertainment industries, and put them into a business model focusing on one thing: being the best in the world at …Parties – Enter HERO’S…the party experience.

We learned early on in our business careers that there is life after business, time for families, hobbies, interests, and causes close to our hearts, are the true rewards of a successful business. Hero’s model eliminates the uncontrolled business factors that typically engulf our lives. Hero’s is open for semi-private party bookings. Gone are the long hours and unpredictable sales days due to the time of year and weather.

What are you doing in your business to differentiate you? Can you focus on one thing and become the best in that category? Does your business systems and practices need to be revisited? Do you produce a consistent end result for guests? Do you understand your competitor’s weaknesses and exploit them while emphasizing your strengths?

I am so proud to be part of Ialei; this is an organization that is an expert in the fun business, and the education of it all. We have ‘Fun Experts” standing by to help you any way they can. If you are having challenges (and we all do), know there is always a solution, sometimes you have to change the things you look at to change what you see. Ialei has operational manuals for every aspect of your business and the educational seminars at Fun Expo and traveling road show will assist you in meeting and exceeding your goals. Become a member today and start reaping the benefits of Ialei.

I get up every morning, knowing that I will make a difference in a child’s life each and every day. I love the entertainment industry, and can’t wait to help all of our Ialei members any way I can.

Laurien Henry is President of Ialei, owner of balooga's FEC, and co-owner of Hero’s. www.herospartyexperience.com She can be reached at 403-973-4800, email at ohenry@shaw.ca