We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Carlson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.

Alright, Erica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents encouraged me to play! I enjoyed so much play and down time as a kid. My family passed the softball and went on bike rides to Art Van Atta Park. My friends and I played hide-and-seek, played basketball, and pretended our cul-de-sac was a drive thru where you could order any yummy treat you’d like. I think I spent a healthy percentage of my childhood pretending to be a puppy. My sisters would even include me in their games by having me (the puppy) get inside my cage (the nook created when the coffee table was set on the couch and a jump rope wrapped across the openings from leg to leg to make bars). I was safely trapped and included. That’s what mattered. I probably snuck in a good nap here and there, too. When the couch wasn’t a puppy home, it was the stage for My Little Pony plays, which my sisters and I would put on as regularly as a Broadway show. I really do feel like I had a magical childhood. Imagination flourished!

Even though I love performing now, I didn’t really pursue acting that much in my childhood. I did a few voice lesson recitals the I was young, but my parents encouraged me to play sports. I loved being active. Volleyball became my favorite, but I dabbled in basketball, softball, and track. Running found me later, and I credit my Dad for that love as he would race me the last 100 yards home after going on a walk, which fueled my (small) competitive spirit. After each basketball game, our family would ride home and unpack the game. These critique sessions after games used to make me feel self-conscious, but I learned the power of constructive criticism and how you can improve if you allow for feedback and really listen to it.

Every holiday, my parents would round us up and announce the next home project. “This Labor Day, we’re painting some wooden shelves in the basement storage are,” Dad announced. “Happy 4th of July, girls,” my mom told us. “Before the block party, we’ll be spackling the garage and giving it a fresh coat of paint.” “Mother’s Day is the time to Murphy’s oil soap the stools at the kitchen table,” Dad reminded me. Hard work is learned, it seems. And teamwork really does make the dream work as a house can’t clean itself! I’m sure I grumbled my fair share, but I’m grateful for the lessons in how to put in effort and see results.

From 6th grade to my senior year, I played guitar and sang in the weekly church service. My parents drove me to and from guitar lessons starting in 4th grade. I learned discipline and routine from these activities. And I also learned to love music. I appreciate the way my parents encouraged me to stick with it even when I didn’t “feel like” practicing or showing up each Sunday.

My parents definitely fueled my entrepreneurial spirit. When I learned how to make balloons and would work at restaurants before I could drive, they would drive me to and from gigs until I could get there myself. They helped me learn to drive and get my license and credit card at the age of 16 so I could have more independence and learn responsibility.

I feel like my parents led by example for how to be good teammates. They’ve been married for 50 years now and still choose into their love. They definitely knew they were raising their three girls to be adults someday. They made time for fun, but also taught us to be hardworking, kind, and creative.

Erica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

How did I get into this business: I started with balloon twisting when I was 14. My sister met a really neat guy whose family owned a children’s entertainment company. She basically “married a clown” who passed along their family trade. I honed my skills during high school and started my own children’s entertainment company when I went to college where I got my Master of Education degree. I taught 7th-12th grade language arts for three years while continuing to grow my business. In 2011, I left my formal teaching job to pursue entrepreneurial life full time.

Services: I have written two children’s books based on my magic shows with my live hedgehog. The book series is called “The Adventures of Sedgie the Hedgie.” I offer author visits where I inspire students to find the magic of reading. I perform these magic shows at libraries and childcare centers as well as private events around central Ohio. Since I’m still a teacher at heart, I also teach balloon twisting workshops where young people can learn the basics of how to twist their own balloon creations. Picasso the Turtle joins me for these programs and we anchor it in art education; they learn about the art of Pablo Picasso and Jeff Koons. I also work as a balloon artist at private events as well as a restaurant in Marysville called Benny’s Pizza where I twist balloons every Tuesday evening for customers. Since variety is the spice of life, I can also be found doing airbrush tattoos at various events as that became an alternative to face painting years ago. Balloon decor rounds out my services. I pretty much love dabbling in anything creative.

Books: My first book “Sedgie the Hedgie Finds the Treasure” was published in 2022. It’s based on my pirate-themed magic show. My second book called “Sedgie the Hedgie Solves the Case” came out in 2024, which is inspired by my mystery-themed magic show that includes a missing balloon hat. These picture books are great for any child, but I find them to be a best fit for preschoolers through second grade. That being said, the lessons and themes as well as some of the hidden literary elements can resonate through all of elementary school.

Problems I solve for clients: I inspire kids to love reading at a young age. When kids see magic tricks as well as Sedgie the Hedgie, the live hedgehog, they make connections that make reading magical. What a gift it is to spark that light! I also help make memories for children and families. Whether it be balloon twisting or airbrush tattoos, interacting with people is what fuels me. I try to be a force of good in the world.

Sets me apart: I have a spiky, magical hedgehog as a sidekick. That would make it seem like I’m a prickly person. In fact, it’s the opposite. I value personal connections. I want to refuel teachers and parents to keep giving their best. I lead team-building workshops for teachers to inspire them to keep going. It can be hard to find your spark each and every day. I truly care about children and their grown-ups. Joy is a resource and it can be tricky to harness. I love giving children and families opportunities to make memories together and harness that joy.

Most proud of: I’m proud of the business I’ve grown. Being able to make a living in a creative field takes hard work and dedication. Saying “I want to write children’s books” and doing it feels SO GOOD. Getting paid to inspire kids to read and play and use their imagination is amazing!

What I want potential clients to know: I would love to see you and your children around town whether at a public event or at their school. Pleas reach out for author visits during the school year. I’m working less birthday parties than I used to because my children are getting older and busier on the weekends and I want to be around for them. I’m training apprentices to work some of these private events for me, which has been rewarding. I’d also love to see you at Benny’s Pizza, the restaurant where I twist balloons weekly in Marysville.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Using balloons as an art medium can be difficult. When an artist is drawing with a pencil, the worst thing that can happen is the pencil tip breaks. They simply resharpen the pencil and continue. When a painter is painting, the paint may spread further than they’d like. Paint dries and then they can go over that spot with new paint. And typically, most artists aren’t creating their art in front of a live audience…of children…who are still practicing patience. I think this combination is what makes balloon art both so special and sorta stressful. Balloons are beautiful and fun, but they can pop and waiting is hard!

As the artist, I’m constantly trying to prevent balloons from popping. As the audience, parents and children are practicing their waiting skills. So much of the art is about the experience you create; the interaction is important. Here’s a story that’s happened time and time again: I’m almost finished twisting a balloon penguin and my sharpie marker pops an eyeball. Here is where I have a choice. I could A) react with frustration and anger, or B) make a joke about sharpies being “sharp” and perform “surgery” on the balloon, reassuring the child that the penguin won’t feel a thing and seems very brave to handle this surgery. I inflate a new white eyeball balloon, attach it to the head, and redraw the eye with a renewed gentleness. “Here’s your penguin…good as new!” I tell the child as I hand over their new pet. Option B works every time.

If I keep myself composed, that typically is how the child will react. If I can show resilience in the face of a challenge, maybe I can inspire a child to do so, too.

In the same vein of being resilient, I’ve recently pondered to the idea fleeting joy. So much of life is fleeting. The ups and downs pass quickly. If we make a point to pay attention, the experiences that truly matter can fill our hearts for a little longer. The joys we hold onto can give us more resilience to make it through the challenging moments.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As an entrepreneur, I’ve always thought that I can be independent and do things myself. Over the past few years, I’ve had to unlearn this and get better as asking for help. When I signed with Gatekeeper Press to publish my book, I thought I could handle the illustrations myself. Felt art was my first plan…I quickly realized I couldn’t blanket stitch facial expressions onto felt characters. Balloon art was my next idea…it’s tricky to twist a whole balloon scene and have balloon characters pose in different positions that show the level of detail I was trying to capture.

It was time to ask for help. I had a few people mention Drew Dittmar, a local librarian and talented illustrator. He agreed to join me on my literary adventure and has now illustrated two of my books! He’s an easy-going, creative person and I’ve loved working with him.

Collaboration has now become a favorite part of my job. I work with Nate LeGros (a.k.a. Magic Nate) performing our Magic Duel program around central Ohio as well as Mark Reinhart with magical musical performances for children. I’ve collaborated with Hilliard City Schools to bring a teacher team-building program to elementary schools as well as local childcare centers. And I am so grateful for clients who trust me to return annually for various events and are always open to new ideas to bring fresh energy to these experiences for children and families. Working with other balloon artist and face painters to bring our services to larger events has been exciting, too. And with an eye to the future, I am training younger balloon artists to learn the art of balloon twisting to bring this joy to birthday parties and events around town.

Refueling has become a very important part of my job. Sustaining something that takes energy is important. Making time to rest is important. Asking for help is important. I plan to maintain my energy, fun, and skill set to continue brining joy to the world around me through this job. And I know I don’t have to always do it alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.EricaEntertainment.com AND www.EricaCarlsonBooks.com
• Instagram: EricaEntertainment
• Facebook: Erica Carlson Children’s Entertainment (@EricaEntertainment)
• Youtube: Erica Carlson Entertainment

Image Credits

Cathy Blackstone Photography, Autumn Theodore Photography