---

It’s a stuffy business,
but someone has to do it

THE stuff-your-own plush toy concept has gone mobile locally. Noah's Ark Animal Workshop dropped anchor in Hawaii last month at the Ewa Beach home of Darlene Daniel.

Daniel found a newspaper ad recruiting independent crew members for a business, but she set it aside while she sought to set up a franchise of another national plush-toy-stuffing retail company on Guam. Turned away, she acted on the newspaper ad and found that it was Noah's Ark.

"The concept was basically the same and the overhead is actually nothing," she said.

Noah's Ark was founded by Dina Kriescher of Illinois, who took her toy-stuffing concept to parties around the suburbs of Chicago and saw enough interest and demand to expand. Noah's Ark Animal Workshop Inc. was launched in 2004, offering a traveling party experience for individuals, preschools, scout troops and children's hospitals. It also offers independent business opportunities aimed at women.

Daniel paid $129 for a starter kit to launch her home-based business. "They send you some animals, information about the company" and other materials, she said.

Her first party is this weekend, for the soccer team she serves as team mom.

To introduce her business to the masses, Daniel set up a booth at last weekend's Party Expo at Blaisdell Center. The event competed for attendees with the First Hawaiian International Auto Show and the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island.

Attendance wasn't what she had hoped for, but response was nevertheless "overwhelming," she said.

She talked plush toys and stuffing and rates with people and started booking. "I have my parties lined up for me now," she said.

"I normally ask (clients) to meet with me three to four weeks prior, to sit down and discuss the cost, to see if the party is right for them," and at the time of booking she requests a 10 percent deposit. The balance is due the day of the party.

Clients can choose to have one style of animal for an hour-long party for $13 a child, or to have a variety of animals available for $15 a child. There is an additional $1.50 per-child set-up fee and tax is added as well. Outfits for the animals are available at an additional cost. Pictures of the toy line are online at www.noahsarkworkshop .com. Daniel accepts bookings at 561-6264.

Daniel brings the unstuffed animals; stuffing the children will use to fill their empty critters; wishing stars to be placed in the bears, bunnies, doggies, kitties, hippos or horsies before they are closed; and goodie bags children can color.

Daniel, a part-time marketing staffer for a credit union, looks forward to working with kids, rather than grown-ups in her new venture.

"I can be silly right in there with them," she said.

Scoop on Robbs

Don Robbs has stepped down as general manager of radio station KKEA-AM 1420, citing health concerns.

"He remains with the station and he'll continue to do on-air work -- baseball in particular -- because it's a passion with him," said Floyd Takeuchi, president and chief operating officer of AIO Group, corporate parent of the radio station.

General Sales Manager Patti Jo Chong and Program Director Chris Hart have been named the interim leadership team, sharing day-to-day management duties.

Robbs was traveling with the UH Rainbow baseball team and could not be reached for comment.

Longest worker contest On the job a long time? Enter the Star-Bulletin's Longest Worker Contest to find the Hawaii resident who has worked at the same place for the longest time. Please send a brief profile including name, age, place and length of employment, phone number, the best time to be reached and an e-mail address, if desired. The winner will receive $100 in dining at Ruth's Chris Steak House. Entries must be received by April 11. Send your information via mail to Longest Worker Contest, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813; or e-mail to longestworker@starbulletin.com .