We had the good fortune of connecting with Marie Settles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When Funorama was first started back in 2007 there was no other company like ours in the Atlanta area. We started with providing creative balloon artists, face painters and variety entertainment for Corporate events & private parties that were fun, friendly and personable. At the time you could get a clown or a costumed character but as times and kids were changing we led the way for many more entertainment artists that dressed fun, festive or professional that was extremely talented in their craft. Since then we have inspired many new artists to get started in the entertainment business. The one stop party shop idea was added as a way for families to get everything from one local business such as balloon decorations, rental items, themed event decor and entertainment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art in decorating & creating decor, designing events and painting is my passion. What makes me the most excited is seeing the looks on the faces of people as they see the room transform into their vision or a winter wonderland, fairytale or carnival. The smile on a face as they take the first look into the mirror after getting their face painted is everything!

It wasn’t easy getting to where I am today. I sacrificed a lot of personal time, energy and missed a lot of personal moments in life helping other people design and put on their events. The hours researching products, booking events on the phone and on the field have taken so much of my life. What I’ve learned along the way though is to have balance in everything I do- Take time to enjoy the special moments with my family and children and still be great at what I do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I was to take a best friend around the Atlanta area it would start off with Brunch at Red Pepper Taqueria (have them try the Shrimp and Grits), then a stroll around the belt line stopping off at Ponce city market going up to skyline park to hang out and have a view of the city. — Sights of the city at night, Botanical garden, Piedmont park, -a stroll through Oakland Cemetery. Maybe dancing at Eclipse de luna one evening. – A trip up to North Georgia during the day to hike the spots and visit a biergarten. A boat ride at Lake Lanier and stopping in to one of the local hangout spots for drinks in the evening. The week would be packed and full of surprises.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The wonderful artists & event staff that have made Funorama Parties a success deserve all the recognition. Over the years our crew has been an instrumental part of the events that have been put on as much of our business now is done with repeat customers and word of mouth referrals.

We can recognize so many artists but to a name a few that have been a key part are —Josh, Lupetha, Julie, Rebecca, Becky, Theresa, Sonja, Jessy, Kelli, Mike, Betina, Bert, Zaira, Tirzah, Patrick, Angie, Troy, Todd, Dan, Charlotte, Cathy, Polina, Nicole, Mark, Sam, Marie B.

Our artists and entertainers over the years have made so many memories for thousands of events. I am so proud of them. Now some have moved on to

Website: funoramaparties.com

Instagram: @funoramaparties

Facebook: @funoramaparties

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