Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Pessin.
Jonathan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I first started twisting balloons when I was still a kid. I was at a kid’s week-long retreat camp, where children could enjoy activities and the great outdoors, then come together in the evening for big events. One of these events had a balloon twister in attendance and that balloon twister made a big twisted sculpture of the Pink Panther (of the eponymous cartoon) riding on a big, black motorcycle. It was intricate, it was ornate, and it was beautiful.
My little third-grade mind was *blown.* As soon as I was able, I walked up to that twister and asked him how he did what he did. He instructed me to get some balloons, look up instructions (and instructors), and to practice. So, once I got home, that’s what I did.
I worked with children for several years in an informal capacity, mostly through my church. I spent some time as Knick-Knack the clown, and made balloons for friends in college, even selling balloon-flower bouquets for laundry money.
Once I left college, my ballooning slowed down. I’d stopped the clowning, as children seemed to find the bright makeup and costume more frightening than amusing, and it became more a hobby than anything else. Then, a friend of mine decided to open a fro-yo place and I had an epiphany. The balloon twisting hobby I’d had since I was a kid?
I could get *paid* for it!
I got some business cards, twisted for my friend’s grand opening for nearly 7 hours, and I was off. Nearly four years later, I’m still going strong. I’ve added pirate-themed party entertainment and Santa Claus visits to my repertoire and I don’t see myself putting down the balloons any time soon!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve had to feel my way through the entire process. I have no real formal business education and I had no idea, when I started how to run a business. I’ve been fantastically lucky to have friends and family who could offer great advice, but it’s still been a struggle to grow the business. I’ve still got a day job during the work week, but I’m looking forward to the day when I can make this my primary business.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Jon Pessin, Balloonatic & Licensed Goof-Off – what should we know?
I’m a children’s event entertainer. I focus on balloon twisting, but I also run party games and offer pirate-themed party entertainment as Jolly Jon Twist the Party Pirate. Over the holidays, I bleach my beard white and make Santa Claus visits. I work for groups as small as a single family, or as large as a festival with thousands of attendees.
My years of experience working with children and my background in the theater gave me the perfect foundation for a child-friendly persona. Whenever I’m interacting with children, whether as myself or when I’m in a character like Santa or Jolly Jon, I put forth a balance of boisterous cheer and careful restraint. I tailor it to each child – for example, the more energetic and enthusiastic children receive a big, booming “Ho, ho, ho!” from Santa, while the quieter, more shy children get a gentle smile and a friendly but restrained greeting. I’m always careful to interact at the child’s comfort level. I’ve been praised for this aspect of my performance more than once, and I’m very proud of it.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I work with children, so it has to be patience! Children are unpredictable in the extreme, so no matter what comes, whether it’s a little girl trying to grab my ballooning pump to play with it or a baby taking a big fistful of Santa’s beard, I need to accept it with calm, careful, friendly authority.
Pricing:
- Balloon twisting: $125 for the first hour, $100 per additional hour
- Santa Claus performance: $150 per hour
- Pirate party performance: $175 for the first hour, $125 per additional hour
Contact Info:
- Website: www.PessinTheBalloonatic.com
- Phone: 847-239-0798
- Email: Jon.Pessin@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PessinTheBalloonatic/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jon-pessin-balloonatic-and-licensed-goof-off-libertyville-2
Image Credit:
Pirate image credit to Feldman Film
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