Ballooning business

"It's about finding a trade and doing the best you can do," said their mother, Tamra Sambole.

The Samboles' combined efforts and shining personalities already landed them their first Christmas gig. With four months to go, the family is preparing itself for similar offers.

But, the new found attention isn't inflating their egos. They still volunteer at retirement homes and pass out flowers while walking down the street.

"People will see us walking on the street. They'll stop their car and they'll honk and want a balloon," said youngest sibling, Matt.

Jonathan, Heather and Matt can always accommodate requests because they never leave home without a bag full of balloons and a pump.

Matt is the youngest, but he knows how to work the crowd in a way that could probably earn him a spot on late-night television one day. He keeps his age secret unless offered one dollar. In that case, he'll say he's "somewhere between 11 and 13."

Matt was first spotted by the Daily Journal at the Wine Walk in June, working his magic on a group of 20-something women.

"Ladies, ladies, ladies, how are you tonight? What can I make you?"

His mom, Tamra, suggested a hat. He made a pink hat and three flowers using six balloons. Five minutes later, the women fished about $15 from their purses. He flashed them his pearly whites and moved on to the next crowd waiting just a few feet away. That's quite a business.

The money the family makes helps support their habit and pay for school supplies. How to turn a profit isn't the only lesson they're learning, though.

The home-schooled trio is learning people skills, said Tamra.

"It'll teach them how to work in the business world when they get older," she said.

Keep in mind, Virgin America announced this year it will hire professional balloon artists to train customer services employees.

Rejection is another lesson popping into their lives.

Heather, 14, already understands how tough service with a smile can be. Occasionally, she encounters people who simply say no when she offers to make them a flower.

Her older brother, Jonathan, learned the art of bending balloons two years ago when the family lived next door to a magician in Chicago. He never gave lessons; instead, Jonathan simply watched intently and deconstructed every balloon the magician made. Now, his younger siblings do the same thing when watching him.

Jonathan moved on from flowers and poodles to full-fledged Carmen Miranda hats. At an exhibition football game between the 49ers and Raiders this month, Jonathan arrived wearing a huge hat resembling a gold mine, with a pick and 49ers logo. He does the same for Giants games.

The hats gather a lot of attention at games, just like the flowers and animals do in San Mateo. However, the attention the family receives pales in comparison to the smiles they give.

"Bottom line, they are in the people business. They want to touch people's lives," said Tamra Sambole.

So, the next time you see the kids with funny balloons, go ahead and smile. Then ask for the pink poodle hat.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com