March 27, 2017

Meet Leesa Zelken of Send In The Clowns in Los Angeles

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leesa Zelken.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Leesa Zelken, Childrens Entertainment Organizer

Originally from New York, I moved to Los Angeles in 1988 to pursue an acting career. Using my BA in theatre and early childhood education, I supported myself with non-traditional teaching jobs – such as Gymboree, “Mommy and Me”, school enrichment programs, and others – while I garnered small roles on shows like Friends and Seinfeld (pardon the sitcom name dropping).

At the request of a friend who was planning her child’s birthday party, I donned a clown suit and put together a party routine. To my surprise and everyone’s delight it was a mega hit – and a whole lot of fun for me. I began to ponder the idea of turning this “show” into a business. I came up with the name SEND IN THE CLOWNS, learned how to paint faces and make balloon animals, and created goodwill by offering my services for free at local children’s fairs.

What began as the proverbial “day job” has developed into a super-successful business and fulfilling career, and a company known in LA as the “Standard-Setter” and “fixture” for ALL-THINGS-KIDS-PARTY. My company is the culmination of my unique experiences as a children’s entertainer, actress, teacher…and mother. Planning over 500 events per year, and over 10,000 events in more than 25 years, has forced me out of the clown suit and into the role of CEO-Children’s Entertainment Organizer.

Since the beginning, our clients have given us incredible feedback about our superior quality performers. We also hear about how thrilled they are that we offer entertainment ideas that are not typical. Many parents have voiced to us they are always looking for “something different” to bring to their party (Parenting in LA is all about “edging out” the “mommy-competition” dontcha know).

We continue to seek out the best, and most unique entertainment and party planning options.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As the fixture and standard setter for children’s party planning and entertainment, it is easy to stay complacent, but constantly re-inventing the wheel, and developing new and cutting edge concepts that actually become party trend-setters has been our mission. In LA anyone looking for a “day job” can think that party planning is an easy road, and any mom who has had her hand at decorating a “dessert table” thinks party planning can be their new line of work. But our mantra is: “put the glue gun down, and step away from the party” because we know the stresses, challenges, and complexity that goes into managing not only one event, but events for repeat clients, in a variety of venues, offering a myriad of themes….it truly takes a professional to make this look easy.

Send in The Clowns – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in modern party planning for kids, and delightful and surprising kids entertainment. We offer as little or as much as a client wants, from our a la carte entertainment offerings of performers, rides, shows, crafts, and more, to our gentle rentals kids party rental packages, to more all-inclusive offerings such as Style Set GO, a styling a décor package, to PARTYSet GO–a turn-key party planning package, to FULL SERVICE Party Planning where we literally build the Best.Party. Ever. from the ground up! No two parties are the same, we are constantly re-inventing the “party wheel” and hand-holding our clients at every level. There is no company that offers the kind of wide array of kid’s party options to suit any wish list, vision, or budget.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every moment that we see families enjoying once-a-year priceless memories with one another, at a celebration “built by us” is a proud moment. We have a large celeb clientele who we continue to impress with our creativity, skill set, vision, and flawless execution, and, one in particular, whose feedback describes our work as “EPIC”. Overall, however, it is our greatest privilege and goal to WOW everyone, in all demographics and echelons.

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