Plot twist: From hobby to small business, Alexis Leal’s balloon art journey

By NORA HYSTAD  
The Tower 

In the Manteca community, one young entrepreneur has made waves with her special talent for balloon art. Meet Alexis Leal, a sophomore at Manteca High School who has turned her passion for balloon animals into a business known as Lexis Balloon Twist. 

Leal began her travels to the world of balloon art at just 12 years old. With a creative mindset and a desire to entertain, she began playing with balloons, learning how to mold them into various figures.  

What sets Leal apart from other young entrepreneurs is not just her skill in balloon twisting but also her genuine love for what she does. She expresses enormous joy in creating balloon animals such as giraffes, mice, dogs, swords, flowers, and much more. 

Each twist and turn of the balloon show her creativity and dedication to providing memorable experiences for her clients. She has tried mastering her skills and established herself as a balloon artist for children’s events in the area.

Four years later, she mastered her skills and established herself as a balloon artist for children’s events in the region. Leal has successfully represented 16 clients. Her primary clients are for typical baby milestones such as birthday parties and other childrens gatherings. 

“I’ve had her student in the past, but this is my first time having her as a student, and she really brings her bubbly personality to her as well as really cool to see her personality into her creativity authentic,” Laurence Turner said. 

This variety of skill set not only enhances the entertainment value at events but also reflects her dedication to mastering the craft of balloon twisting.  

Each work is a testament to her creativity and attention to detail. Behind every successful entrepreneur often lies inspiration.  

For Leal, that inspiration comes from her father Daniel Leal. Her father is an ideal guide in motivation to start a business. Leal’s business not only brings joy to those who hire her but also attributes positively to the community. By providing entertainment at local events, she fosters a sense of togetherness between family and friends. 

Her work encourages creativity among children while encouraging social interaction through fun activities like balloon twisting. This bond highlights the importance of having a strong support system when starting a new business such as hers. Leal entertains and brings joy to families celebrating milestone events like birthdays. Her father’s support has been crucial in her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of a strong community for pursuing dreams.

Through her Instagram account, “@Lexi_Balloon_Twist,” she connects with potential clients and showcases her talent to a wider audience. 

The Tower caught up with Alexis Leal to chat about her small business, and her inspiration. 

The Tower: Hi! Can you introduce yourself? 

Alexis Leal: Yeah, hi! I’m Alexis Leal, and I run a business called Lexis Balloon Twist. 

TT: How long have you been doing it? 

AL: I’ve been doing it for about four years. 

TT: How old were you when you started? 

AL: I started when I was 12. 

TT: How many clients have you had? 

AL: I’ve had about 16 clients. 

TT: What kind of events do you usually do? 

AL: I usually go to birthday parties, children’s events, and even work for daycare companies. 

TT: Do you enjoy doing it? 

AL: Yes, I actually really enjoy it! 

TT: What kind of balloon animals can you make? 

AL: I’ve learned how to make giraffes, mice, dogs, swords, flowers, and more. 

TT: Who inspired you to start this business? 

AL: My father inspired me to do it. 

TT: What’s your account name? 

AL: My account name is Lexis_Balloon_Twist. 

TT: Thank you for sharing, Alexis! 

AL: Thank you!