The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Getting creative with balloons
Exclusive Balloons will set out to make whatever a customer asks for, owner says
A Sheffield Lake business sets itself apart by offering the unique services of balloon decorating and twisting
“The business officially opened in 2011 (at-home), I moved in here in 2013,” said Sheila Kepic, owner of Exclusive Balloons, at 4114 E. Lake Road “Way back, I had children and I had to quit my job.
“I went into Borders bookstore and I found a book, ‘How to Make Balloon Animals.’ I felt it would be a fun thing to do with the kids, and that started it all. I’m always looking for new things and new techniques. It continues to be an educational experience.”
Kepic said she was scared of starting the business at first.
“I dealt with a health issue, and when I recovered, I figured that I had nothing to lose,” she said. “Word of mouth has been the best advertising for me. It’s really just taken off.
“Every year, we were doing better and better, except for last year of course.”
Kepic said the business has slightly changed since the beginning.
“When we first started, we did balloon twisting,” she said. “We would go to parties and twist balloons, face paintings and balloon decor.
“We got so busy with the balloon decor, that is primarily what we do now.”
Kepic said the decor takes many creative forms.
“It’s arches, columns, centerpieces ... those are balloon decor,” she said. “They can be used for any event, any occasion. The balloon arches are sold by the height and the style.
“We send pictures back and forth to get the general idea of what folks want. We offer a lot of variety so folks can have a customized experience. I also don’t like doing the same over and over. If you are going to spend money on something, you want your party to stand out and be different.”
Kepic said the business handles both the twisting and decor aspects of balloon art.
“We are technically considered decotwisters,” she said. “There are some balloon businesses that decorate, but don’t do any twisting and vice versa.
“We do both to get our clients the best they can get.”
Kepic said they remodeled their Lake Road location just before the pandemic hit.
“We were getting ready for a reopening,” she said. “I hope that we will be able to open up again in June.
“Right now, we are by appointment only. This isn’t really a store, it’s more of a studio space. We want folks to come in here and we want it to feel homey and welcome.”
Kepic said she, along with help from Katie Burian, her studio manager, will set out to make whatever a customer asks for.
“We’ve made KitchenAid mixers, we’ve made 15-foot Eiffel Towers,” she said. “I won’t sell anything unless I’m happy with it. Nothing leaves the shop unless we like it.
“It’s limitless for what we can do. Our most unique item is our fantasy flowers. They are flowers made out of balloons; they have no air in them and are scented and airbrushed.”
Kepic said folks still should think about them despite fewer parties happening.
“There may not be parties going on, but there are still birthdays taking place,” she said. “It personalizes things and is a great addition.
“I have never given a balloon to someone that didn’t put a smile on their face.”