Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Caughey.
Hi Kristin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I did balloons and decor for my daughter’s first birthday party and posted it on my social medias, and it was a HIT. People were asking me to help them with their parties and eventually I had no remaining free time and figured I could turn this into something as a little side gig for some fun money. Within the first year, I was booked every weekend for graduation parties in the summer and it really took off! Before the end of my 1st year of business I had booked the Minnesota Vikings’ wives and girlfriends pregame party, had 10 repeat and stable clients who booked me for everything, and had NFL families reaching out to me for their private events.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When you asked me this a year ago, I said yes! I hadn’t skyrocketed in growth yet. Now? Not so much, but I think that’s true for most small business owners. Paysen’s Parties started as a creative outlet and quickly grew into something much bigger than I ever expected. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve learned that creating the product is often the easy part. Running a business means wearing every hat: marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, sales, scheduling, website management, and still showing up to create beautiful events on the weekends.
At the same time, I work a full-time job and am raising my daughter, so finding balance has been one of my biggest challenges. There have been late nights, early mornings, and plenty of moments where I’ve questioned whether I could keep up with it all.
But every challenge has pushed me to improve. I’ve learned to build better systems, invest in tools that help my business run more efficiently, and surround myself with people who believe in what I’m building. Watching clients’ reactions when they see their event come to life reminds me why it’s all worth it.
I’m incredibly proud of how far Paysen’s Parties has come, and while the road definitely hasn’t been smooth, I wouldn’t trade the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Paysen’s Parties is a luxury balloon and event decor company based in Central Minnesota, serving clients throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. We specialize in custom balloon installations, statement backdrops, branded events, grand openings, nonprofit fundraisers, weddings, birthdays, graduation parties, and corporate celebrations. While balloons are at the heart of what we do, our goal has always been much bigger than that – we’re in the business of creating moments that people remember.
What I’m most proud of is how much we’ve grown through relationships and word of mouth. Every opportunity has led to another, from decorating neighborhood birthday parties to creating installations for nonprofits, local businesses, and even events for Minnesota Vikings players and their families. Seeing clients trust us with some of the biggest milestones in their lives is something I never take for granted.
I think what sets us apart is our attention to detail and our willingness to dream big alongside our clients. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter designs. Every installation is custom-created to reflect the personality, brand, or vision behind the event. Whether it’s building a one-of-a-kind backdrop from scratch, designing décor around a client’s inspiration, or transforming an empty space into something unforgettable, we’re always looking for ways to make each event feel unique.
At the end of the day, I want people to remember more than just the balloons. I want them to remember how they felt when they walked into the room and saw their vision come to life.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was incredibly shy as a kid. When my parents divorced, my mom and I moved across the state, and I ended up changing schools three times in three years. Looking back, that experience forced me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to adapt, meet new people, and become more confident.
I’ve always been creative. I loved making things, coming up with ideas, and finding ways to bring them to life. That creative side has been a constant throughout my life and eventually became the foundation for my business.
By the time I got to college, I had completely come out of my shell. I was the person who could strike up a conversation with anyone and was always involved in something. I’ve also always been very Type A-a planner, a doer, and someone who’s happiest when I’m working toward a goal. I definitely get that from my dad, who somehow managed to run three businesses while farming full-time. Watching his work ethic growing up showed me what it looks like to build something through consistency and hard work, and that’s a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since.
Pricing:
- Balloon Garlands – $24/ft
- Backdrop rentals – starting at $75
- Vendor Sourcing & Event Coordination – $1,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paysensparties.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/paysensparties and instagram.com/paysensparties
- TikTok: @paysensparties
