An informal chat with Zvi, founder of balloonZ

Where: The balloonZ studio located in the heart of The Windy City, Chicago
When: Winter 2008

So what is balloonZ?
Simply a decorating service. We specialize in balloon decor, but also produce full-scale events from start to finish.

When did it all begin?
In high school I delivered balloons along with singing telegrams from the back of my parents Chrysler New Yorker. I remember the singing career was very short lived. Down the road I moved to New York and worked for a wonderful company called Balloon Bouquets of New York. I was fortunate enough to get my start there. It was great training. Where else would I get to release balloons off the Great Wall of China? I returned to Chicago started my own business above a bicycle shop in the Old Town neighborhood in 1988.

Just balloons?
It began as only balloons but then clients started to ask for more. Soon the deliveries became small decorating jobs, then larger jobs and eventually we evolved into a full decorating service. I learned quickly that the words "Can't," or "NO I don't do that" were not an option. It was my clients' confidence in me that pushed me to explore other options and expand my business into more than just balloons.

You call yourself an 'event stylist'. What is that?
An event stylist is a person who can transform nothing into something. Someone who sees more than four bare walls and can take a client's fantasy and turn that into a reality.

Calling myself an 'event stylist' is really just my pretentious way of saying balloon decorator.

What event names that we would know have you "stylized"
I won't elaborate on the 2,500 Bar Mitzvahs and repeated Corporate Events for McDonald's, Lowrey Organ, and Verizon Wireless. Some of my most memorable productions were: Rev. Jesse Jackson's 65th Birthday planned hand-in-hand with his lovely wife, Jacqueline; 10,000 balloons released at Soldier Field for The Opening Ceremonies of The World Cup Games; Thousands of balloons dropped high above Orchestra Hall every New Year's Eve at the Chicago Symphony; The annual celebration for The City of Chicago's Birthday festivities. I have done numerous charitable events for Open Hand, Chicago Cares and Dance for Life.

Have you ever worked outside Chicago?
I'll go anywhere! I have done events all over the United States including Florida, Indianapolis, Wisconsin, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York, California and even a stint for Tyson Chicken in Fayetteville Arkansas.

What do others have to say about yourself and balloonZ?

"balloonZ floats high in service excellence, customer satisfaction, and vision transformations. Their event planning services makes projects exciting and their final delivery is always 3-dimenional works of art!"
-Jessica Holloway
Support Center Coordinator
Malcolm X College, One of the City Colleges of Chicago


"balloonZ has been a consistently reliable and creative source for me for the past 20 years. Why? Because of Zvi and his attention to details. Zvi always finds the right "twist" to satisfy my client's requests...no two events are ever the same...Zvi is the QUINTESSENTIAL professional, I highly recommend his services!!!!"
-Audrey Gordon, The Empress of Schmooze
Special Events Producer


"One of the kindest persons I have had the pleasure of meeting."
-Mrs. Jesse Jackson (Wife of the Reverend Jesse Jackson)
President, Jackson Foundation


"Zvi and team's artistic creativity, diligence, energy and sense of humor made working with them a joy! They get the job done right the first time, are brilliant in planning projects, and are punctual yet flexible in meeting deadlines. I highly recommend Balloonz with absolute confidence."
-Nikki Kencos-Mangan
Verizon Wireless

Where might we find you when you are not at balloonZ?
At home holding my husband's hand while battling wet kisses from our dog Fred.