Colors of the rainbow–vibrant reds, blues and yellows–fly through the air along with laughter and the squeaking noise of filled balloons being twisted into various shapes. The balloons become whatever is in the party guests’ mind. Children line up hand in hand with their parents eagerly awaiting a magical balloon experience. The two suited men stand in the front of the line to showcase their talents and make each child’s wish come true just as the business has for the past 18 years.

Cruzzing Balloons Business owner and primary balloon artist Leo Cruz decided to become a balloon craft artist because the entertainment industry brought joy to his clients. L. Cruz and his family each contributed their talents to Cruzzing Balloons. L. Cruz introduced his son, balloon artist and senior Diego Cruz, to the business when D. Crus was six years old.

“I have always been able to do [balloon art] because I was always around it [as a kid], I would go to conventions with my family and I knew the basics because I was competing before I started working,” D. Cruz said.

Cruz explains that after competing and attending conventions for balloon art he began to work for fun and to help out with the business whenever he could. The Cruz family attends these balloon conventions annually.

“We have grown as a family business. We have done conventions for balloons and face painting. We are always learning new techniques [and] there are always new products so our conventions are a yearly thing,” Cruzzing Balloons Secretary and primary face painter Aldra Cruz said.

Due to COVID-19 many events and businesses were temporarily closed and as a result the conventions were put on halt throughout the pandemic. A. Cruz explains that as the business went through a challenging time. 

“[COVID-19] affected us to the point where we didn’t have any bookings for about a year. It was very stressful just waiting to see what would happen and to see when we could go back to business and entertaining families again,” A. Cruz said. “Our business is slowly[…] progressing to normalcy.”

Cruz finds that as the business continues to advance and his fathers hands begin to hurt and cramp more easily, he has taken on a more serious role in the business. D. Cruz aims to create a website and use social media platforms to promote the balloon business.

“[I was working] mostly to help out my dad because his hands hurt and it’s one of the methods we use to support the family so it means a lot for me to take over. My dad does so much for me and it’s the least I could do,” D. Cruz said.

Cruz is glad for the opportunities he has gained and skills he has developed. Moreover, he has grown in his confidence when speaking with clients. D. Cruz has also become more confident about the business attire–a black suit and black tie–so looks as professional as possible.

“We try to be professionals so when they look at us, [they see] a professional entertainer that spends time doing the marketing and knowing the business,” L. Cruz said. “That way, when somebody looks at you, they think of you not only doing a one year old party, five year old party, but also a wedding rehearsal.

Cruz has become open to working at all these different events with the rest of the Cruz family. He hopes to continue growing and learning how to balance his school commitments with his work days. A. Cruz shares the way D. Cruz has changed as a person and who he has become today in relation to their family and the business.

“He has broken from his shyness because he has learned how to communicate better with clients. It has made him more confident and he has learned how to read people and manage his time as well as money. So he’s become more aware [of] how to become a business manager,” A. Cruz said.

Cruz expresses similar feelings towards his son because of the growth he has made in his everyday life and his own persona. L. Cruz and D. Cruz shared that they have both gained the skill of following an image or character requested by party guests and replicating it.

“I am just very proud of my son and my husband. They do beautiful balloon art and it’s always amazing to see peoples faces light up every time they see their creations. They are always amazed because they can pretty much make anything and replicate anything you show them,” A. Cruz said.