Meet Kristy Johnson | Owner of Peppy Party by KJ Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristy Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It all started when my cousin came to me with an idea for a mobile petting zoo. She is amazing with animals, but she needed a people person and so we decided to partner up. I felt like I needed to offer more than just being friendly. I quickly decided to pick up my paint brushes and begin face painting. In my research I found that balloon twisting was an excellent accompaniment to face painting, so I taught myself how to do it. As it turns out I have a bit of a natural affinity for twisting balloons and painting faces! I had no idea if there was any need for such a thing in my community or how it would be received. After creating my logo and website I launched into social media, and it took off! It has been a huge learning experience but has been so much fun!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been interested and fascinated by art. When I was a child my mother always encouraged art in the home and would take us to museums, performances and galleries. I found that I had a natural ability to see things differently than other people and could best express myself with color and pictures.
Throughout high school I took an art class every semester and found so much peace creating and learning techniques. I had the most amazing art teacher who would always encourage me and allow me to come after school and create even more! He made sure that I was given every opportunity I wanted to create and learn.
This all led to me wanting to become a graphic designer and launched me into a design program in college. I took a pragmatic approach by advancing my degree in Graphic Information Technology which gave me not only art/design education but business education which has been vital in my current situation. The business background is what made it possible for me to feel confident in creating a name for myself. Through my college program I created my company KJ Creative (a requirement in the program) and have used that as my design business ever since.
Peppy Party started when my cousin came to me with an idea for a mobile petting zoo. She is amazing with animals, but she needed a “people person” and so we decided to partner up. Although helping here was great I felt like I needed to offer more than just being friendly. I quickly decided to pick up my paint brushes and begin face painting. I briefly did some face painting in high school and new that I could quickly pick it up again. In my research I found that balloon twisting was an excellent accompaniment to face painting. I decided to teach myself how to do it. As it turns out I have a bit of a natural affinity for twisting balloons and painting faces! I had no idea if there was any need for such a thing in my community or how it would be received. After creating my logo and website (using my design background) I launched my business on social media, and it took off! There has been such a need for my services and people love my results. It has been a huge learning experience but has been so much fun!
Starting something new was not easy. However, I did feel like things worked out pretty smoothly for me. I had a few mishaps and have had a few events where I didn’t make any money but all these experiences are part of the process. Most of my mistakes were in pricing! This is by far the hardest part in my opinion. Determining what people are willing to pay versus how much time and supplies go into an event was a bit challenging in the beginning. I am so much more confident now than I was when I first started and feel like I have somewhat of a groove going.
I tell others all the time that this is by far the most rewarding and enjoyable job I have ever had! After every event I am so pumped up and just love to see the joy on people’s faces. I’m not just in the party business; I’m in the joy business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my most favorite places are the parks. I love Papago park, Lake Pleasant and all the city parks here in Peoria. I enjoy both zoos that our city has to offer. I have young children so most of my time is spent going to places that they enjoy. Including the Phoenix Children’s Museum, Arizona Science Center and the various other places along those lines. My husband and I love going to flagstaff for long weekend getaways. We are in love with the lava caves and botanical garden there. I have lived in Arizona my entire life and I cannot imagine making my life anywhere else! I am so many favorites that it is impossible to name them all!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I could not have embarked on this journey without my incredibly supportive husband and my three amazing daughters! They are my lifeblood and are always encouraging me and helping me improve.

Website: https://peppy-party.square.site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kj.creative1/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjcreate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kj.creative1

Other: Google:
https://share.google/pdnNWzTmbf8rd0GRs

Image Credits
All photos provided were taken by me Kristine Johnson. Excluding the photo of myself in the purple top that was taken by my sister-in-law Miranda Vance. She has given me permission to use it.