May 17, 2017

Meet Bernice Gregory of Ber Ber and Company Entertainment

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernice Gregory.

Bernice, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I went to a conference and some clowns asked me to be in a parade to get in the Guinness Book of world records for the most clowns in a parade, long story short I went to clown school and started doing Friends Kids parties, and something with our church. Their friends kept asking us to do their children’s parties and other churches so my husband/partner and I purchased a few bouncers, games and equipment. We started getting a lot of corporate clients and went to the small business administration and Ber Ber and Company was born.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has not always been smooth, it got a little rough after Hurricane Katrina people change how they were spending and purchases smaller party packets, when gas got really high price we noticed another drop. During the recession, churches and corporate clients started having less events throughout the year. It was a challenge for us to adjust our marketing and management skills to meet the current economic changes. We took notice, listen our client concerns, fears, needs and lowered our prices. There was also a flood of bouncers companies in recent years. The good thing about us is we are a one stop entertainment shop. mostly entertaining people with live entertainment, not just bouncers and things so we made it through a rough time.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ber Ber and Company Entertainment – what should we know?
Ber Ber and Company Entertainment is a one stop shop for Family entertainment and event planning. We specialize in Family Entertainment (focus on Children’s parties and family oriented events). We have been told that our parties were the best birthday ever and the referrals and return customers prove it to be true. We have consistently been used by Harris County Libraries for summer reading programs for magic shows, and dancing with a clown and carnival events. Fort Bend Black Nurses Association has used us for years for their annual Picnic, Lilly Grove MBC church, Bering Drive Church of Christ, Silver Lake Church, The City Refuge Church, AIDS Walk Houston Foundation for the annual fund walk down town, The Fraternal Orders of Police, and too many to mention has used us for many year for various events. Churches that use us tend to keep using us and tell others about us, corporate client keep coming back. We bring Clowns, face painters, balloon sculptors, magicians, storytellers, games, concessions, bouncers, trains, carousels, and so much more. We are proud of the fact that we have won awards for best theme in the Missouri City Juneteenth Parade, Best clown vehicle in the Clowns of America Magazine. We are unique because we care about or customer’s event’s success, children and parents who see us year after year remember our names when they see our clown or conductor. We are the party experts, we have been in business since 1999, We are on site to troubleshoot if necessary, we offer advice in age appropriate entertainment. PowerPoint presentations are offered for your committee with Q and A time. We are not a conglomerate of multiple companies contracted out we have all that you need and can assure on time arrival for all that you order. A small company doing big entertainment, who is all about fun and professionalism. We will be opening a center within the next year.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband has been my biggest supporter who joined me in this business. Cheerful Clown Alley Prepared me to be a professional clown along with Clowns of America, Hickey Clown Association, and my church, family, and friends. The Small Business Administration and score who gave me all the skills that I would need to start and run a business. Lilly Grove MBC who used me almost from the very beginning and has referred us to many others. The Wallace family who not only used me for their children’s birthdays (my biggest fans are Their daughters), referred us to the AIDS Walk Houston Foundation to be the Children’s entertainment section for the walk down town, and also to The Texas Children’s Hospital. Windsor Village Church who used us many times and introduce us to the Toyota Center. The City of Refuge Church who encourage and referred us to fun runs, picnics as well as for their own events. The Fort Bend Junior Chamber of Commerce who used and referred us to many venues. Tim Hughes our architect who designed our next step and future site. Thanks to Crossway Christian fellowship who sent me to Joey to the world. My daughter Nancy, and Friend Jackie who volunteered to help in return for skills in face painting and the art of balloon sculpting.

Pricing:

Carnival Packet: Bouncer, Popcorn Machine, Ball Crawl, Magic Show, Face Painting, Double Shoot Basketball game, Fish Pond Game, Football toss, Ring toss, Beanbag toss, 2 hours for $325.00
Best Bang for your Buck Party Packet: Bouncer, Popcorn machine, Snow cone machine, Fishing game, Ring Toss, Bean Bag Toss, Two adult Picnic tables, 1 Child Picnic Table, and bubble machine. $200.00
Trackless Train: Engine, 2-3 Cars (seats 2 adults or 4 to 6 children per car). **2-hour minimum or 1 hour if ordered with another packet $125.00 per hour.

Contact Info: