Finding Joy in Every Twist: How One Balloon Artist Brings Art and Heart to Las Vegas Parties

Through his business, On A Whim Events, Kevin Hagberg turns simple balloons into unforgettable moments of joy, proving that art and community can go hand in hand.

On a sunny Las Vegas afternoon, a crowd gathers around a man with a bundle of colorful balloons in his hand. Children giggle as dogs, flowers, and crowns take shape in seconds. The air buzzes with laughter. Behind every twist and turn of latex, there’s a calm focus on Kevin Hagberg’s face, the kind of quiet joy that comes from someone doing exactly what they’re meant to do.

Kevin isn’t just another balloon artist; he’s the creative force behind On A Whim Events, a small but mighty entertainment business that brings balloon art, clowning, and laughter to children’s parties and community events across the city. His business may be built on whimsy, but his passion for bringing people together is anything but random.

From Lost Gigs to New Beginnings

The journey began years ago in another city, where Kevin first learned the craft under a seasoned balloon artist. It was part apprenticeship, part crash course in a world few people ever think about, the hidden network of entertainers who make kids’ faces light up at every festival and birthday bash.

Then came 2020.

“April of 2020, I had like three grand on the books,” Kevin recalls, his voice a mix of humor and disbelief. “When April of 2020 actually hit, I made zero dollars.”

The pandemic hit entertainers like him especially hard. Events vanished overnight. What had once been a steady livelihood suddenly evaporated. “It went from being something I was doing full time, dedicating all of my free time to it, to something where I was like, well, I guess I’m into gardening now,” he says with a laugh.

For a while, balloon twisting became a side note to survival. Kevin picked up a 9-to-5 job, found stability, and focused on rebuilding. But somewhere in the process, the spark that made him love performing refused to die out. Slowly, he began taking gigs again, not for the money this time, but for something deeper.

Fueled by Joy, Not Just Business

“I’ve been thinking a lot about why I do this,” Kevin admits. “When I first started, it was money. But after everything that happened, I realized it’s the joy that keeps me coming back. It genuinely fuels my spirit.”

It’s easy to believe him. Watch Kevin work, and it’s clear this isn’t just a job. He radiates warmth, energy, and a genuine connection with people, especially children. “It brings me joy to bring joy to people,” he says. “It lets me connect to the community in a way I don’t think I would otherwise. And also, I get paid doing it. So, it’s a win-win all around.”

In an industry built on temporary magic, Kevin’s outlook is refreshingly grounded. He’s not chasing fame or virality. He’s chasing smiles, the kind that come from a five-year-old seeing their first balloon dragon or a parent watching stress melt away for just one afternoon.

Built on Laughter and Lessons

Despite the lighthearted nature of his work, Kevin’s path hasn’t been without challenges. Ask him what’s hardest about running a business like this, and his answer comes without hesitation: “I hate back of house. I hate all of the things you have to do to do the thing you like doing.”

He laughs, but the frustration is real. From social media to marketing to booking management, the behind-the-scenes grind isn’t what he signed up for when he picked up his first balloon pump. “If I could just use social media to scroll TikTok and do nothing else, that’s what I’d do with it,” he jokes. “I wouldn’t be creating posts or building email campaigns. I hate all of that.”

His solution? Delegate. “If you don’t have to do a task and you hate doing it, let someone else do it,” he advises. “They don’t even have to be great at it. The worst social media person will still post more consistently than I will.”

That philosophy, focusing on what he loves and trusting others with the rest, has kept On A Whim Events alive and thriving. He’s learned that it’s not about being the biggest or most polished act in town, but about being authentic, kind, and present.

The Magic of Showing Up

What makes Kevin different from other entertainers isn’t just his balloon skills. It’s his attitude. “I bring joy,” he says simply. “When people hire me, it’s not just, oh, this guy’s making balloons. It’s, oh, it’s Kevin. I know it’s going to be fun.”

He remembers one moment in particular at a local claw game arcade. “The owner told me, ‘You’re the first balloon artist I’ve had who smiles while they’re doing it.’ That stuck with me.”

It’s that genuine enthusiasm and ability to make every person feel seen that has turned clients into loyal fans. “I used to be very focused on being technically good at what I do,” he explains. “I’m still good at it, but now I focus more on clowning, on controlling the energy in a room and keeping it positive. If I show up with a neutral or negative attitude, people notice.”

He laughs again, sharing a story that sums up his approach perfectly. “A friend once told me, ‘Kevin, your mom could have died, and I’d never know it.’ And honestly, that’s part of the job. I bring my full self every time. I bring connection, energy, and positivity, even when the people around me might be having a rough day.”

A Community Built on Word of Mouth

While many small businesses rely on social media algorithms, Kevin’s success still comes from something more old-fashioned: people talking about him. “These days I’d say I’m about 90% word of mouth,” he says proudly. “I have a lot of clients I see every year, and I get more referrals from people who say nice things about me when I’m not around than anything else.”

That sense of community isn’t just lip service. In the world of family entertainment, artists often collaborate instead of competing. “We all kind of work for each other at one point or another,” he explains. “If I book an event that needs four entertainers, I’ll find others who are also working for themselves. And vice versa. We’re all part of a little ecosystem.”

Even without a current website, Kevin stays busy. Most people reach him directly by phone or through social media under On A Whim Events. “Someone else usually answers the phone now,” he adds. “Which honestly helps me keep my sanity.”

Keeping the Fun Alive

As On A Whim Events continues to grow, Kevin’s goals remain simple but meaningful. “October is my busiest month by far,” he says. “I’d like to see more events in the off months, especially summer. Vegas kind of disappears in the heat, but I want to connect with more businesses that do indoor or summer events.”

Still, he’s not interested in scaling for the sake of scaling. “I’m not trying to 10x my business,” he says. “I’ve seen what that looks like, and it’s usually doing the work I don’t want to do. It’s okay if I’m not the biggest in town. The things I’m bringing are special, and that’s enough.”

That outlook, the balance between ambition and authenticity, defines everything he does. For Kevin, growth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about nurturing the spark that got him started in the first place.

More Art, More Heart

At the end of our conversation, Kevin pauses before sharing something that feels like the core of who he is. “Balloon twisting and clowning is an art form,” he says. “I don’t show up in face makeup, but clowning is a type of performance. It’s acting, it’s connection.”

He believes deeply that art should be a part of everyday life, not just something we see in museums or galleries. “Any situation where you can put more art in your life is valuable,” he says. “It doesn’t even have to be good. Bad art is better than no art. If you can take ten minutes to bring a little more art into your life, that’s worth it. And if it’s with me, awesome. If it’s with somebody else, I’m just as excited, because everyone should have more art.”

It’s hard not to smile after talking to him. In a world that often feels heavy, Kevin’s work reminds us of something simple and important that joy itself is an art, and sometimes all it takes is a single balloon to bring it to life.

Connect with On A Whim Events
Find On A Whim Events on Instagram at @onawhimevents and Facebook at On A Whim Events Las Vegas. For bookings and inquiries, reach out directly through social media or by phone.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.