Today we’d like to introduce you to Thelma Rodriguez.
Hi Thelma, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey with Pixie Smiles Entertainment began with my love for creativity, art, and bringing happiness to others. I’ve always enjoyed creating things with my hands and seeing how something as simple as a painted face or a photograph can bring such a big smile to someone’s face.
What started as a passion for face painting gradually grew into something much bigger. I began exploring new ways to make celebrations memorable, expanding into Photo Booth experiences, 360 Video Booths, glitter tattoos, balloon decorations, and personalized keepsakes.
As a mother and grandmother, family has always been a huge part of my inspiration. I know how special those little moments are and how important it is to create memories that families can cherish for years.
Building my business hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had to balance my career, family responsibilities, and the challenges of being a small business owner. Along the way, I’ve continued learning, improving my skills, and finding creative ways to offer something different.
Today, I’m proud of how far Pixie Smiles Entertainment has come. What makes me happiest isn’t just seeing my business grow, but watching children’s faces light up when they look in the mirror after being painted, or seeing families laugh and have fun together at my Photo Booth.
For me, it’s never been just about face painting or taking pictures. It’s about creating experiences, spreading joy, and turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. And I truly believe this is only the beginning of my journey.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many small business owners, I’ve faced challenges along the way, especially with unpredictable weather, the economy, and the rising costs of running a business.
One of my biggest struggles has been helping potential clients understand the value behind my services. I completely understand that everyone has a budget, especially in today’s economy, but sometimes people focus so much on comparing prices that they don’t realize what they’re actually getting.
When I provide a quote, I don’t just think about the service I’m offering. I think about the entire experience I want to create. I have a habit of going above and beyond what I’ve promised, often adding little extras and personal touches without charging more, simply because I want my clients to feel special and know that I genuinely care about their event.
The hardest part is that people don’t always get to see that side of my business unless they give me the opportunity to show them.
There have definitely been moments of frustration and doubt, but I remind myself why I started. Every smile, every happy family, and every client who appreciates those extra touches reminds me that my hard work is worth it.
I’ve learned that I may not be the cheapest option, and that’s okay. My goal has never been to compete on price alone. My goal is to provide quality, creativity, and an experience that exceeds expectations.
I’m still learning and growing, and despite the challenges, I refuse to give up on something I’ve worked so hard to build.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As the owner and creative mind behind Pixie Smiles Entertainment, I specialize in bringing creativity, color, and unforgettable experiences to celebrations of all kinds.
My business offers a variety of services, including professional face painting, water-resistant face painting, airbrush and glitter tattoos, glitter bars, traditional Photo Booth experiences, 360 Video Booths, personalized keychains and magnets, balloon decorations, and event planning.
What makes my work special is that I don’t see myself as someone simply providing a service. I see myself as an artist creating memories. Whether I’m transforming a child’s face into their favorite character, designing a personalized Photo Booth experience for a wedding, or creating something unique for a special celebration, I put my creativity and heart into every detail.
I also have a background in graphic design, which allows me to take my services a step further. I love creating custom designs, personalized photo templates, and unique details that match each client’s vision. I don’t believe every event should look the same, and I enjoy the challenge of bringing different ideas to life.
What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown, both as an artist and as a business owner. I’ve continued investing in my education, equipment, and creativity while balancing my career and family responsibilities. I’ve learned that being a small business owner means wearing many hats, from being the artist and designer to handling marketing, customer service, and event coordination.
What sets me apart is my commitment to going beyond expectations. I genuinely care about the people who trust me with their special moments. I often add extra personalized touches simply because I want the final experience to be even better than what they imagined.
My greatest reward is seeing a child’s excitement after looking in the mirror, hearing guests laugh at the Photo Booth, or having a client tell me that I helped make their event special.
At the end of the day, I don’t just want people to remember what I provided. I want them to remember how I made them feel. That’s what Pixie Smiles Entertainment is all about.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the most important quality behind my success is my passion and dedication to what I do\. I genuinely care about my work and the people who trust me to be part of their special moments\.
I’m also a perfectionist when it comes to my creativity\. I pay attention to the smallest details, and I’m constantly thinking about ways to improve, learn something new, or make an experience even more special\.
One thing about me is that I don’t like doing just the bare minimum\. If I can add something extra to make someone smile or surprise a client, I will\. Sometimes that means spending additional time creating a personalized design or adding little touches that weren’t even included in the original quote\. I do it because I take pride in my work and because seeing people happy truly means something to me\.
I also believe perseverance plays a huge role\. Running a small business while balancing a career, family, and everyday responsibilities isn’t easy\. There are times when things don’t go as planned, but I continue pushing forward because I believe in what I’m building\.
**I may not have the biggest business, but I have a big heart for what I do\.** I believe success isn’t just measured by how much money you make or how many events you book, but by the relationships you build, the memories you help create, and the positive impression you leave behind\.
At the end of the day, I want my work to speak for itself, and I want people to remember that I gave them my very best\.
Pricing:
- Face Painting – Starting at $260 for 2 hours
- Digital Photo Booth – Starting at $299 for 2 hours
- Photo Booth with Unlimited Prints – Starting at $850 for 3 hours
- 360 Video Booth – Starting at $750 for 3 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pixiesmilesentertainment.com
- Instagram: Pixie.smiles
- Facebook: Pixie Smiled Booth
