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

Hi KATHY, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important physical factor behind our success is that we try our best to provide the very best customer service possible. This is especially true of events, where we have the most control and are allowed to make suggestions from our many years of experience.

On the spiritual level, I feel that God has blessed me with a wonderful love of arts and people, along with a huge network of artists to help me manage the many clients, that He has sent my way. It is sometimes overwhelming how many clients we have, but especially, how many repeat clients we have.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Merry Heart entertainment does our best to provide great artists, but also attend to all the customers’ needs as well. When the event is booked directly through us, and not another agent, we will personally touch base with the client via text or email, to confirm all the party details. This set’s the client’s mind at ease and also helps us catch client typos, or date and time changes, that the client or agent, failed to pass along.

The biggest challenge, I’ve had was when I went through some health issues and was not only, unable to paint, but had to still try to keep up with the day to day requirements of answering phone calls, test messages and emails. Also, scheduling of artists and the accounting part of the business.

The Texas heat is tough, but with my team so large, I’m able to send out the tougher artists, that I have, rather than myself.

I became a face painter, almost by accident. However, now I realize that it was divine intervention. 🙂 I used to sketch out my children’s church stories on the chalk board each Sunday. As fate would have it, one of the deacons at Baptist Temple in Grand Prairie, TX, saw me sketching. He then asked if I could face paint at an upcoming church fair. Well, the rest is history. That one event turned into a yearly event for over 10 years and then became so regular, that my husband suggested I resign from my position at Oil States in Arlington.

It has been an interesting career path to get here; many which help me daily in what I do. Leaf raking at age 12, mowing lawns, mini mart cashier, child care, testing center, Pharmacy computer customer service, retail pharmacy assistant, Office Depot Sales Admin and church secretary. It has been varied, but nothing as exciting as face painting!!! The smile is worth it. Is a button i wear, and that says it all. There is nothing quite like the joy on someone’s face, when they see what you have created.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend is from Austin and I’m a little more reserved, so I can’t say I’d be the best tour guide. BUT because I’ve done so many different events all over the DFW area, I know that that we live in an amazingly fun and hopping area. Grand Prairie has several great restaurants and Bolder Adventure Park, along 161 South. Fort Worth has the Stockyards. Dallas has Klyde Warren park. Of course there are treasures everywhere!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout would go to the Lord, for blessing me with a talent that I can share and bring a smile to someone. Earthly speaking, I have my family and friends who have ALWAYS encouraged me! I have also had complete strangers rave about my work and that of my team. It is very rewarding to receive compliments and great reviews from clients.

My Dad was an incredible artist and my Mom took me to purchase artistic tools, at local thrift and general stores, to pursue my artistic interests. To my knowledge, there were not any Michaels or Hobby Lobby stores back then.

Also, In the seventh grade I had an art teacher, Mr. Saunders, at Jefferson Jr. High in Grand Prairie. Keep in mind this was around 1972. He once asked me where I had attended art school. Of course, I didn’t even know there were art schools at the time. He also would put my work on display in the school’s main hallway. That was my first experience at realizing that art might be a talent, that I had and that a non-family member appreciated. It was very encouraging and empowering. In addition, my best friend’s Mom, Bonnie Diamond allowed me to live with her, and being an artist herself, encouraged my talent in many ways.

Art has definitely made me more outgoing and friendly and far less introverted, than I was as a young person.

I am so thankful for each and every person, that has made, what I do possible, including my husband Gary.

Website: https://www.mhpainting.com

Instagram: @MERRYHEARTENTERTAINMENT

Facebook: HTTPS://FACEBOOK.COM/MERRYHEART

Image Credits
KATHY ROLLWAGE

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