We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stacy Chen-Yi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Stacy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I sometimes wish I had started sooner, instead of spending years in graduate school pursuing a degree in public health that had little to do with my true passion. Deep down, I always loved being creative and artistic, but growing up in an Asian family, pursuing art wasn’t exactly encouraged—it was often dismissed as a path to becoming a “starving artist.” It wasn’t until I became a mom in 2012 that I finally gave myself permission to follow that path. What began as a small side hustle while caring for my kids quickly grew into something bigger than I ever imagined. Today, I get to be my own boss, which is far more fulfilling and flexible than the traditional 9–5 grind. Looking back, I realize every step prepared me for this moment, and I’m grateful to be living out a calling that truly excites me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been obsessed with art since I could hold a crayon. In school, art class was my happy place. Give me a box of Crayolas and I was unstoppable. But coming from a family that prized “respectable” careers, the arts were… let’s just say, not exactly on the approved list. So, I took the practical route, got a Master’s in Public Health, and built a solid career as a health educator.

When I became a mother, a new chapter began. Staying home with my little one gave me time to reconnect with my creative side, that’s when I discovered face painting. I began taking classes and practicing on family, friends, and anyone who would let me paint them. Thirteen years later, I’m still as in love with it as ever. I feel truly blessed to be able to create special memories for families and see the pure joy on children’s faces when they look in the mirror. That moment, when a child lights up seeing themselves transformed, is truly priceless, especially for those who are not privileged enough to get the chance to experience it often.

Today, our company has grown far beyond what I could have imagined. We now have a talented team of artists offering a variety of services, including face painting, balloon twisting, airbrush and glitter tattoos, caricatures, glam hair braiding, and fairy hair. Clients love that they can book multiple high quality services from one place.

Unlike companies that spread themselves too thin by offering everything under the sun, we focus on quality over quantity. If we offer a service, we make sure it’s done exceptionally well or we don’t offer it at all. For example, many of our artists are skilled in both face painting and balloon twisting, allowing clients to book one artist for two activities, saving both time and money without compromising quality. That’s what truly sets us apart.

Our brand is built on professionalism, reliability, and heart. We take pride in providing excellent service from start to finish. Responding to clients’ questions promptly, making the booking process seamless, and understanding that our clients are often busy parents juggling a million things at once.

We’re also passionate about brand consistency and recognition. Our team always wears matching company t-shirts with our logo at every event, presenting a clean, professional, and polished image. It’s so rewarding when guests say, “Oh, I’ve seen Silly Cheeks before—you were at my cousin’s party!” That kind of recognition means the world is noticing us. Building a brand from the ground up hasn’t been easy, but seeing it grow and making kids smile from ear to ear makes it so rewarding.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Honestly, the biggest game changer for me was learning how powerful an online presence can be. When I first started, I didn’t have much experience in marketing, so I listed myself everywhere I could, every free webpage, local directory, and event site I could find. I just wanted people to be able to find me. Over time, that consistency paid off. My page started climbing on Google, and suddenly I was getting calls and messages from people who’d never even heard of me but found me online.

At first, most of my bookings came from word-of-mouth, family, friends, or people who had seen me paint at an event and wanted that same experience for theirs. But as I focused on improving my website and sharing my work on social media, I noticed a real shift. People were finding me online, following my work, and becoming repeat clients.

The internet opened doors I didn’t even know existed. It taught me that in today’s world, being visible online is just as important as doing great work in person. More and more people search for everything digitally now, and showing up consistently, both in person and online, has helped me build a community around what I love doing.

How’d you meet your business partner?

That’s an easy one, she’s my sister! But what makes our story special isn’t just that we’re family, it’s how naturally we’ve learned to work together and balance each other’s strengths. Running a business with a sibling comes with its challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. We both bring something different to the table, and that’s what makes our partnership so strong.

I’ve always been the communicator in the family, the one who enjoys connecting with people, whether it’s responding to corporate emails, chatting with clients, or handling the administrative side of things. My sister, on the other hand, has this amazing eye for detail and organization. She’s the mastermind behind keeping everything in order, from managing inventory and supplies to making sure we stay ahead of the latest trends. She loves to shop! But in our business, that’s actually a huge asset. She keeps us stocked with the newest products, the best materials, and fresh ideas for our designs. Together, we’ve found this perfect rhythm, I handle the outward communication and relationships while she keeps the heart of our operation running smoothly behind the scenes.

Working side by side as sisters has taught us so much about teamwork, patience, and trust. At the end of the day, we share the same vision and passion for what we do, with the goal of growing a fun thriving business for years to come!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sillycheeksfacepainting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sillycheeksfacepainting
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SillyCheeksFacePainting
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/silly-cheeks-face-painting-new-york