A BRIEF HISTORY OF BALLOON EXPRESS

Tom Taff, a Minneapolis native and a Vietnam veteran, started Balloon Express in 1980. He tried his hand at several careers, but all left him unsatisfied and unchallenged. The idea of Balloon Express came about after Tom read a magazine article about an entrepreneurial woman in St. Louis, Missouri who started a balloon business. Realizing he wanted to do something that would brighten the world around him and make people smile, he started his own balloon bouquet delivery service. Balloon decorating for special events soon followed.

In 1987 he met his wife Karen, who was a stuffed animal salesperson who serviced the Balloon Express account. After they married and had their first child, she left her sales position to stay at home with the baby. It was at this point she became involved with the business. Balloon Express is still family-owned and operated. Along with Tom and Karen, their two daughters have grown with the business and have been involved with the business ever since they were old enough to hold a balloon. Balloon Express is truly a Mom and Pop operation born out of an entrepreneurial dream and successful through dedication and hard work.  Tom and Karen’s daughters pictured