~ Welcome ~
This is where we will share all our updates, info, new products, events and all things business related.
We’re so happy you’re here!
August 2023
Celebrating 12 years in business
There’s so much we could write - but we simply want to say thank you!!.. although prepare yourselves for an essay because you know how much I like to chat just like my Dad did.
Thank you for shopping with us, for allowing us to do what we love. Thank you for letting us be a part of a wonderful community. Thank you for being there for us through loss, heartache, ups and downs, a pandemic… I mean you guys have been through it all with us and your support and kindness has meant the world.
It’s been a crazy 12 years. A lot of amazing achievements and accomplishments. Despite many tears and days where we felt discouraged, we carried on because we learnt from the best - our amazing Kev.
Laughter is the best medicine, and we laugh daily with our amazing team, customers, suppliers and we will continue to smile even on the bad days because there’s always something to be grateful for.
So cheers to 12 years of our small but mighty business
Cheers to our incredible team who we are so lucky to have
And cheers to everyone who walks through our door and supports us. You are the reason we’re celebrating 12 years and we are SO thankful.
Of course we can’t end this post without a shout out to Kev. He’s the reason Maddy Moos even exists. His legacy lives on and we are so proud to not only continue what him and Karen built together, but to GROW and keep on working hard to help our business succeed for many more years to come.
With the recent loss of our precious girl, Maddy - we have her living on through our business as well. Every time we say ‘Maddy Moos’ we will smile.
No one we love is ever truly gone. They live through us. We speak about them to keep their memory alive.
We choose to live well, live kindly, live with intention and hopefully make our business stand out as we are always real with you all.
Thank you again! SO grateful.
Lots of love Hayleigh & Karen xx
JULY 2023
Saying goodbye to our beautiful girl, Maddy
We are sorry for being quiet. It’s been a tough month to say the least.
The morning of Wednesday 19th July, we had to say goodbye to our precious girl, Maddy 💔
We barely have the words to express what this beautiful girl means to us. She’s been the ultimate joy in our lives, especially at times when everything felt hopeless.
Maddy is not just a dog. Nor is any other dog. Dogs are one of the most loyal animals on earth. They give us endless amounts of love and make us feel needed, wanted and valued.
Maddy made us feel so grateful every day despite other challenges.
From the moment she came into our lives, she’s made everything better.
She gave us purpose after Kev died. Getting outside & enjoying life again was all down to her…
Our hearts are shattered all over again - but Maddy is now with Kev, and neither are in pain. Hopefully playing golf together (well, Kev playing - Maddy just chasing the ball).
And hey, not many dogs can say they have a business named after them!
Our shop Maddy Moos, is a daily reminder of Kev and now our beautiful girl.….
We will miss her forever 💔
Please understand we may be a bit sensitive for a while. Thank you xxx
JUNE 2023
We are finalists at The Reta Awards in London.
If didn’t know already…… We are a finalist at The Reta’s for ‘Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer’ Progressive Greetings Worldwide / PGBuzz.net YAYYYY!!
We were nominated back in 2012 and Kev and Karen attended, then in 2018 Karen and I were guests of ICG and I got to experience the fantastic atmosphere at The Dorchester… oh so very fancy!
To be nominated again is an honour. We’re so grateful that our little shop gets recognized as a great independent retailer.
So much work goes into running a business and we’re so proud of how far we’ve come. Despite the challenges and set backs. We have a brilliant team, wonderful loyal customers and Kev is still guiding us.
Our newest venture, Brightside Balloons officially started in march last year, and we’ve loved being able to grow our business in other areas. But Karen & Kev opening Maddy Moos back in 2011 was where it all started.
Although Kev isn’t with us anymore, he is ultimately the reason our business continues to thrive because we learnt from the best, and got shown what great work ethic looks like. We owe it all to you Kev.
Cheers to being an independent retailer during a pandemic and now a cost of living crisis …. hahaha! #ifwedontlaughwewillcry #smallbusinessowner #businessgrowth
- Written by Hayleigh (Director of Maddy Moos and Brightside Balloons
MAY 2023
Why don’t we use Helium for Balloons anymore?

As of September 2022 we stopped using helium. There had been a shortage for many months beforehand and we (along with thousands of others) could no longer purchase helium due to this shortage, so we had to find an alternative and creating air fill balloon displays became popular with our customers! Whilst Helium is now available again (although a shortage will inevitably happen again) we had made the decision to stop using it anyway.
So let us tell you why…
….Helium is a non-renewable resource. When it’s gone, it’s gone! It is expensive and only continues to rise in price…. No pun intended. Bear in mind you’re paying for an expensive gas in your balloons, whereas air is FREE.
Although Helium is a natural gas and isn’t bad for the environment alone, the gas makes balloons float, and this sadly means balloon releases happen too often, accidental or not. Balloon releases are a danger to our wildlife, can cause hazards in power lines, and balloons inevitably end up as litter. As long as helium is used in balloons, releases will keep happening and we want no part of that.
Helium balloons don’t last long. Yep, you’re paying for that expensive gas and your latex balloon display will last less than a day! (Unless treated with another expensive product called hi-float which makes them last a couple of days). Foil balloons last slightly longer, around 3-5 days if you’re lucky.
.. but guess what, air filled balloons will last WEEKS, if not months! So it’s a no brainer really!
We know you are all adapting to a new way of thinking. Because balloons are traditionally always known to float. But we’re here to show you a different way. The better way.
Choose air filled balloons for your next event. You won’t be disappointed!
- Writen by Hayleigh, Director at Maddy Moos and Brightside Balloons