Today we’d like to introduce you to MacKenzie Magwire.
Hi MacKenzie, 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?
Events have always been in my blood. Some of my earliest memories are helping my mom with her event coordination company and volunteering at the Kansas City Irish Fest—running the children’s area and watching spaces transform for celebrations. I was hooked from day one, and to this day, I’m still proudly on the Irish Fest staff.
My path to Mack Curio Creations wasn’t a straight line. I’ve worked in the concert industry, served as Assistant Athletic Director at Northwest Missouri State University, and was Director of Marketing at the University of Central Arkansas—where I proudly designed the Scottie Pippen Basketball Court. After retiring from athletics, I worked in the KC beer industry at Crane Brewing. Currently, I am the owner of Mack Curio Creations, a Real Estate Agent with Reece Nichols, the Pottery Pub social media manager, and I teach Sports Management online through Northwest Missouri State University. Each role taught me something valuable about understanding clients’ visions and creating memorable experiences.
The idea for Mack Curio Creations came from a simple belief: just like a curio cabinet displays unique treasures, every celebration has something that makes it special. I wanted to create a business that celebrated that individuality through balloon artistry.
What started as a passion project has grown into a thriving business serving the Kansas City area. From intimate birthday parties to corporate launches, nonprofit fundraisers, weddings, and everything in between, I get to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences and help people celebrate their stories.
The best part? Whether I’m working with a stressed-out last-minute planner or someone who’s been dreaming about their event for months, I get to be part of their special moments. That never gets old.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Gosh, no, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I learned the basics of balloon towers back when I worked in the Bearcat Athletic Department, and we would add pops of balloons to the arena for our pink-out games. Years later, I continued to add balloons to personal events, and then friends started having babies or getting married, so it was always “MacKenzie will do balloons.” After a while, I realized I could turn it into a business and make some money on the side.
After months of perfecting my style and “recipe,” as some people call it, I finally became more confident. For the longest time, I would look at what other balloon artists were doing and think I was never good enough. My imposter syndrome almost got the best of me to the point of giving up. Thankfully, I have a great support system and therapist who helped me through that nonsense, and I now see that there is endless space for all balloon artists. We all have our own style, prices, and niche that are all so beautiful and needed in the community.
Once I got through the mental side of things, there’s always the challenging install where everything goes completely wrong—you have to reattach things that have fallen more times than you’d like to admit, weather may not be on your side, or you just feel really sick but still have to push through. No matter the struggles and low moments, seeing my clients’ faces and their appreciation is always worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences with balloons, but what really sets me apart is my approach to each client. I’m a people person at heart, and I love helping my clients’ dreams come to life—and then taking them even further. If someone asks for something I’ve never seen before, I don’t say no—I find a way to make it happen.
It could be as simple as incorporating fresh flowers and real disco balls into a balloon installation, or as ambitious as building a 14-foot Taylor Swift Lover House. If a client has an idea, or is willing to trust the process and run with one of my crazy concepts, that’s when the magic happens. That collaborative spirit is what makes Mack Curio Creations special. I’m constantly learning new techniques, exploring different styles, and pushing myself to create something unique and fun for every single event.
When it comes to what I’m most proud of, it’s my involvement in the community. I’ve always loved working with nonprofits—even before creating Mack Curio Creations. Giving back has been a huge part of my life, so when I started this company, I wanted to find a way to continue that mission. My way of doing that is offering a 10% discount to all nonprofit organizations. I know that large-scale balloon installations can become expensive, and while I do my best to stay affordable for everyone, that extra 10% can make a significant difference for nonprofits working to make an impact in our community.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up constantly doing something. From playing basketball, golf, volleyball, or just swimming my summers away, you would always find me doing something active. When I wasn’t playing a sport, I was most likely volunteering at some event with my parents, going to a concert, hanging with friends, doing stats for my dad’s basketball team, or traveling with my parents. Just like I am as an adult, I don’t sit still well and like to stay busy at all times.
Pricing:
- Grab N Go Garlands start at $65
- Helium Bouquets start at $20
- Average party install is $300
- Average Large Scale event is $1500+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mackcurio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackcuriocreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mackcuriocreations
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mackcuriocreations
