Party Pair
Kids say the darndest things, and Ken Zaken, whose three robots entertain children at birthday parties, has heard a lot of them. They ask the robot, "Are you staying for cake?" says Mr. Zaken, who operates the machines and speaks for them via remote control from an adjacent room. When kids ask, "What's your mom?" I tell them she's a refrigerator, and she's a real cool lady.
A year ago Mr. Zaken, the founder and owner of Robots 4 Fun, moved to Dallas from Atlanta after 10 years in the Georgia city. He says the growing convention and trade show business here convinced him to change locations. It provides the majority of his business, Mr. Zaken says. But he enjoys children's birthday parties and visiting day-care centers the most.
"I love being around kids," Mr. Zaken says. "When I go do a show, I have as much fun as the 5-year olds. The best is when the kids are 5, 6 or 7 years old," Mr. Zaken says. "In the kid's mentality, this robot is as alive as you and I. And hopefully that will create good memories that won't be forgotten."
Mr. Zaken charges $150 an hour for a corporate outing. For a birthday party, child or adult (he recently did Emmit Smith's) the fee is $125 an hour. The number for Robots 4 Fun is 972.245.5573
Dan Shine, Dallas Morning News