Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Neal.
Hi Claudia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started working in the party entertainment industry during my last year of high school, stepping into the unique world of being a “party princess.” It was definitely a wild job to explain to people, but enabled me to support myself all the way through college. I earned a degree in art with a minor in business—two areas that felt like polar opposites, but both ended up playing a big role in my path.
After college, like many others, I felt a bit lost. I spent some time traveling and trying to figure out my next steps. When I returned home, I got back into face painting and princess gigs. I was starting to burn out on the wigs and costumes, but I realized I had a real skill—and the smarts to run my own show instead of working for someone else.
I headed to Florida for the winter and launched my own face painting business in Fort Lauderdale. It was a huge learning experience—I taught myself everything from website design and sales to social media, accounting, and beyond. Once I had a solid foundation, I returned home to Atlanta, ready to go all in. Now, I’m focused on growing my business and connecting with clients who are just as excited about the journey ahead as I am.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Bumps in the road come with the territory of being a business owner. As I approached my late 20s, I found myself becoming someone who wouldn’t even try something out of fear of failure. I’ve always admired people who have the courage to take risks and follow through on ideas—even if they don’t pan out. Meeting someone like that really shifted my mindset. I realized the hardest part is often just having the confidence to begin.
One of my biggest ongoing struggles as a self-employed person is time management. Wearing so many hats—creative, marketing, admin—it’s easy to feel like you’re doing everything and accomplishing nothing. Learning how to structure my time and priorities has been a constant challenge.
Another big hurdle is knowing your worth. It sounds cliché, but in a creative field, it’s all too easy to undervalue yourself. People will sometimes minimize your skills or ask for free work under the promise of “exposure” or a “great opportunity.” To be fair, sometimes those opportunities are genuine and worthwhile. I’ve had some amazing experiences that started that way, and I’m truly thankful for them. The challenge is learning how to decipher what’s coming from a place of good intention and what isn’t. Early on, I felt pressure to say yes to everything. It’s taken time to build the confidence to say no, to trust in the value of my work, and to set boundaries that protect my time, energy, and talent.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in face painting and fairy hair, but over time I’ve expanded my services to include balloons, glitter tattoos, and fun hands-on craft activities like jewelry making, crown decorating, treasure hunting, and even a DIY hat/patch bar. I’m really proud of how my business has evolved over time. My goal has always been to offer a full range of entertainment options so that clients can rely on me to cover all the fun at a party. That way, they can focus on decorating, hosting, and enjoying the celebration.
What sets me apart is the unique spot I’m in when it comes to age and experience. I’m old enough to bring professionalism, reliability, and 10 years of industry know-how to the table, but still young enough to fully connect with kids and bring an energy they respond to. I’ve found that I can relate to everyone in the room—kids, parents, grandparents—and that natural ability to connect really shapes the experience I provide.
Kids are drawn to the fun and interactive nature of what I do, but what I love most is being someone they feel comfortable with. I enjoy showing them how face painting or balloon twisting works and letting them try it out for themselves. I always take time to encourage their creative ideas, patience, and acts of kindness. It’s more than just party entertainment; it’s about making meaningful moments.
At the same time, I focus on building strong, communicative relationships with parents and clients. I want them to feel confident that their event is in good hands. Whether it’s working with children with special needs, accommodating last-minute changes, or guiding first-time planners through the process, I aim to be approachable, adaptable, and dependable. Even as the business grows, I take pride in maintaining the personal touch of a small business—offering custom-tailored services, thoughtful attention to detail, and a down-to-earth experience clients can trust, paired with the consistency and care of someone who truly takes their work to heart.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways to work with, collaborate with, or support me! If you’re planning a party or event—whether it’s a birthday, community festival, school function, or corporate gathering—I’d love to help bring the fun. You can book face painting, fairy hair, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, or a full package of creative activities.
If you’re a fellow business owner or event vendor, I’m always open to collaborations. Whether it’s teaming up for events, cross-promotions, or creating new experiences together, I love building relationships with other creatives, entertainers, and local businesses.
If you just want to support from afar, following me on social media, sharing my work, or referring me to a friend means the world. As a small business, every like, comment, and word-of-mouth recommendation makes a huge difference.
The best way to get in touch is through my website or social platforms—just reach out, say hi, and let’s chat about how we can make your event amazing together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facepaintfairyparties.com
- Instagram: https://Www.Instagram.com/facepaintfairyparties
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16Y8fk8qnt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
