Meet Susie Tabanyi of Glendale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Tabanyi.

Hi Susie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Sweet & Social Kids Entertainment officially began in 2018, although the heart behind it started long before that. As a mother and daughter duo, we spent over a decade working with children in education, childcare, and creative activities. We were always drawn to the joy and imagination kids brought to every moment.

Sweet & Social was born from our desire to create something meaningful for families. We wanted to give kids a space to express themselves and make memories during life’s most special celebrations. Over time, that vision grew into the interactive experiences we are known for today: including painting stations, slime making, teddy bear stuffing, custom crafts, and many other hands-on activities. As our brand evolved, we also expanded into full-service event planning, offering support for events of all types, whether kid-focused or not.

Laura (Susie’s daughter), after years of working directly with children, knew how much magic hands-on activities could bring to an event. Susie, with her natural gift for planning, logistics, and organization, helped turn that creativity into beautifully executed celebrations.

Our first events were for friends and family, who graciously allowed us the space to learn through plenty of trial and error. With each party, each activity, and each tiny guest who lit up while creating something, we became more certain that we had found our purpose.

The name Sweet & Social still makes us laugh because it began as a joke. Laura is the sweet, and Susie is the social. The moment we said it aloud, it simply felt right and perfectly reflected our brand’s warm, playful personality.

Since 2018, Sweet & Social has grown year after year, evolving into something more inspiring than we ever imagined. Every event reminds us why we started: to celebrate creativity, connection, and the joy that happens when people come together.

Alright, 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?
In many ways, we feel incredibly lucky because our journey has truly been a positive one. We are best friends as much as we are business partners, and we naturally work very well together. We often know what the other is thinking and can solve problems before they are even spoken out loud.

If we had to highlight a challenge, it would be learning to create a healthy balance between our personal lives and our business. When you care so deeply about what you do, the work naturally blends into everyday life. Since much of our prep happens at home, it can be difficult to fully unplug or step away. Yet that same level of involvement is also what keeps us so connected and invested in what we are building together.

We are also incredibly grateful for the supportive community that grew around us on social media. Their encouragement played a major role in helping us expand our brand organically. We never doubted whether Sweet & Social would take off. We trusted our vision, stayed consistent, and focused on delivering meaningful experiences, which has made this journey feel both exciting and deeply rewarding.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Sweet & Social specializes in immersive, interactive entertainment for kids, and our activity menu has grown into something we are truly proud of. Our signature offerings include ceramic painting, custom patch parties, slime stations, teddy bear stuffing, Lego hat building, spa parties, cotton candy, and more. Each experience brings its own sense of fun and allows kids to fully engage in the celebration.

Without question, slime is the crowd favorite. We see the same kids return to our events year after year requesting it again and again. It has truly become a Sweet & Social classic and never fails to light up the room.

Parents often tell us how much they appreciate our level of organization and the way we guide the activities. We run everything in a clear and orderly way, while still keeping it fun and energetic. We make sure every child receives individual attention and support so they can fully understand, create, and enjoy the experience. Our stations also offer parents a bit of ease, knowing their children are happily entertained, well supervised, and engaged in a thoughtful, structured activity.

We also collaborate with our event decor business and offer combined packages for families who want both entertainment and specialty decor. The moments that make us the proudest are seeing kids light up while creating something of their own, and watching parents take comfort in knowing their children are happy and engaged in something positive.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important qualities behind our success are heart, patience, organization, and authenticity.

Laura brings warmth, creativity, and patience. She has a natural ability to connect with children and engage with them in a way that makes them feel seen, confident, and excited to participate. That genuine connection is what helps each experience feel so special.

Susie brings calm, precision, and unmatched organization. Her ability to plan, prepare, and think several steps ahead ensures that every event runs smoothly and seamlessly. Her attention to detail creates the foundation that allows the fun to unfold effortlessly.

Together, the most powerful characteristic we share is authenticity. We are a real mother and daughter team who genuinely love what we do and love doing it together. Families can feel that energy at our events. In a world so focused on screens, we lead with intention by creating hands-on, sensory experiences that bring kids back to creativity, connection, and joy. That heart-led approach is what truly fuels our success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweetandsocial.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweet_and_social/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetandsocialkids#
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-and-social-kids-entertainment-glendale#reviews