Check Out Mark Byrne’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Byrne.

Funny Money Productions was created out of desperation and inspiration. Laid off from his job as a bartender, Mark Byrne’s father said to him. “Hey, why don’t you do magic as you did as a kid?” Why not indeed? Mark was already performing magic and twisting balloons at the poolside bar on Treasure Island. That was over 20 years ago. Mark has gone through several changes in those years. In the beginning, Mark worked for a clown company that sold flowers in night clubs for several years. Marko, the Clown, performed magic and made balloons for many private parties through these years. Drinking and drive laws changed, causing the business not to be a profitable as it once was. Mark had also found love at that time. Mark and Michelle started performing together as Rebus & Hollywood the Clowns. They did events for major corporations and many private parties. Michelle decided to go back to school to learn more about business. There she found her calling, to become a teacher. Though she has always helped with Funny Money Productions, her focus had shifted towards school. Meanwhile, Mark was doing more and more shows as two different characters Rebus and Mark Byrne Magician. Business got tight several times over the years, and Mark would fall back on an old skill of Graphic Design.

Mark worked for Bic Corp for almost eight years while their family grew. The business grew each year. Mark would pick up restaurants to perform in, a great place to find leads and get paid for it at the same time. At one point, Mark was working 11 engagements per week and putting in a 40 – 60 work week with Bic Corp. Many a day, Mark was working 18+ hours. Something was about to break. The break came as a realization that Mark was not able to see his young children except when they were asleep. Not wanting to be a stranger in his own house, Mark and Michelle hatched a plan to make life better.

Shortly after Michelle finished her first degree, they planned to leave the security of a corporate fortune 100 company. Many thought they were crazy, but it paid off. Mark attended several professional performer workshops at a great expense at that time in their life. He traveled to Hollywood, California and Puerto Vahatta, Mexico to meet with top magicians to forge a business model. Over the last eight years, Mark has performed for a King, several Congressmen and many celebrities. He has traveled to Shanghai, China and worked cruises to the Bahamas. Today Funny Money Productions mission is to “Make People Happy” We accomplish this with a combination of Comedy, Magic and Balloons. Our featured performer is Mark the Balloon Guy. Current projects are designing amazing balloon dresses for corporate and fundraising events, Working Stage, Parlor and intimate magic settings. We currently network with performers all over the world to bring the best entertainment possible. Funny Money Productions tag line is “Nothing is Impossible If you know me!”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is never a smooth road. Many ups and downs. Recessions, pandemics, planetary alignments. Capitol probably has been our biggest hurdle. We have always been a bootstrap business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always been an artist. Balloons became my medium. I started out as a magician. My mentor Windy “the Balloonatic” Dalton taught me balloons. Windy was one of the pioneers of balloon art. he held three speed records for balloon art. Windy’s wife Sunny may or may not the creator of the single balloon animal dog. Sometime in the 1950’s seems to be a debatable issue. I specialize in creative balloon hats made fast. I have taught my techniques in DVD’s called Bad to the Balloon. I have over 64 unique balloon recipes. Combined with a sarcastic wit makes for fun and funny entertainment. I have taught and performed balloon art all over the world. I have performed in China, Australia, and Europe. I have been featured at many national and international balloon conventions. Yes, there are balloon conventions! What separates me from others is my ability to simplify and create on-demand. Most creations are done within 3 minutes or less. I get challenged regularly at the weekly restaurants that I perform at.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Square for money. Along with Cashapp, PayPal, and Venmo ability to make money on-demand increases your worth. For business software for entertainers I like Managersal.com about $100 a year.

Pricing:

• Local Party $10 per kid minimum of 10 kids
• Tradeshow $2,000 per day

Contact Info:

• Email: mark@balloonguy.net
• Website: Balloonguy.net
• Instagram: winkingderby
• Facebook: @Marktheballoonguy
• Twitter: @WinkingDerby
• Youtube: theballoonguy
• Other: Winkingderby.com

Image Credits:
Mark Byrne