There is just fun about foam and people seem to be drawn to it weather they are a child or an adult.
In fact, it was that fun and fascination that led Tim Ellis of Nocatee to be the owner of First Coast Foam Party.
“A neighbor friend of mine had just gone to a foam party, and while I was at his house that night, he was just so excited about it and kept showing me pictures,” Ellis said.
It did not take long for that excitement to rub off on Ellis, and after doing research about it for more than a year, he decided to start the business he has now.
He has three children, and his 15-year-old son Cooper is very involved in the business.
“If we’ve got an appointment on the schedule, he’ll go out the night before and load up the truck and get everything ready,” Ellis said.
Not only is it special to see how the business has become a bond between father and son, but he also knows that it is providing great lessons for his son and helping instill a level of work ethic.
According to Ellis, when it comes to throwing a proper foam party, it all comes down to the quality of the foam and there are several factors that play a role.
“Wind, kids and rain can all affect the foam,” Ellis said.
The foam is bio-degradable and non-toxic, which means that it will not irritate skin, eyes or grass. It is sent out into a party by using cannon that spit our the foam.
“My foam solution is through a major corporation called Foam Daddy, and it’s made from sodium lauryl sulfate and water, so it’s basically like children’s shampoo,” Ellis said. “In fact, I can even do the reserve here in Nocatee, because they have a zero-entry pool and a pergola, and the kids go back and forth.”
According to Ellis, the foam he uses has also been classified as a certified autism resource.
Although most of the business consists of children’s parties and other school events around the area, adults also find creative ways to have fun with it, such as gender reveal parties and glow foam parties.
If an event is held at a person’s residence, Ellis said that they are more than willing to work closely with the homeowner’s association to make sure the party follows the regulations in place.
He also has a bubble machine in the back of his truck, which only adds to the atmosphere.
One of the most valuable tools he has is a leaf blower, which can allow him to continue shaping the foam at certain times throughout an event.
“I’ve told my son that ‘if nothing else, you have to learn problem-solving,” Ellis said. “If you’re not learning, what are you doing.”
Helping provide First Coast Foam Party with the flexibility they have is the fact that they are not associated with a vehicle
“We just bring our own tent and music, and go from there,” Ellis said.
