When Matt Campo '24 was 11 years old, his aunt and uncle hired a balloon artist to make blow-up animals at a birthday party for Matt's cousin. Matt's souvenir was twisted and folded into the shape of a pig. That balloon pig changed his life.
What's the most outlandish request you can think of? Matt has probably heard it. For about eight years, Matt's been shaping balloons to match imaginations at birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, and weddings (yes, he has seen Wedding Crashers and yes, someone does say, "Make me a bicycle, clown!" at nearly every event). You want the statue of liberty? No problem. Once a guy showed Matt a picture of his house and asked if that was possible. Sure, why not? He's also made every super hero and cartoon character out there. But, it all started with that pig.
"I have a tendency to hyper obsess over things. I took that pig home from my cousin's birthday party and took it apart. I then tried putting it back together, and it looked more like a dog, which I learned is easier to make than a pig. My parents bought me a kit, and mainly by watching YouTube videos, I quickly taught myself how to do it."
Less than two years later, Matt booked his first birthday party. He didn't advertise it to his friends, but a classmate happened to be at that party, and soon after that, the word spread through Matt's Long Island middle school. The legend of The Balloon Guy of L.I. was born.
Working parties, as far as Matt's concerned, is the perfect part-time job. Pre-COVID, he was doing five events a week. He doesn't charge as much as the "professional" twisters, and for specific jobs, he charges little more than the cost of the balloons.
"I'll work a lot of fundraisers just as my own way to give back. Every year I would work a year-end celebration event for Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York. I got to make balloons for some kids who were residents there, and likely would never get another chance to see something like this. Many of these kids don't know their parents or are challenged with developmental disabilities. In all the time I've been doing this, I've yet to see someone who doesn't enjoy a balloon animal. It's really special to see their eyes light up."
Matt has one year left as an undergraduate in Siena's Albany Medical College program. Next fall, he'll begin medical school, and by the time he begins residency, he'll give up the balloons. At least, that was always his plan. Over the years, though, countless parents have told Matt he should pursue a career in child psychology. He's starting to listen. Matt's got a lot to learn about the field, but in a sense, he's been practicing his approach with children since he was a child himself. Plus, what patient wouldn't want a balloon animal?
In the meantime, Matt will keep working events this year.
"It's great because it gets me out of my head sometimes. I can go to a party for a couple hours and then go back to studying. Plus, medical school is pretty expensive, so I definitely need the work!"
Balloon twisting is an art form, but Matt says he's no artist. Her dropped out of a pottery class in high school and replaced it with an extra science course. Somehow, though, the future doctor can see the shapes in his head and make them real. Hire him for an event if you want and try to stump him. Good luck with that!