Who is the Miami Balloon Guy?
Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Anthony Brown, Jr. aka The Miami Balloon Guy moved to Miami with his family at the age of 4. During 1987, at the age of 16, his mother moved him, his brother, and his sister to Northern California, where he graduated High School, and went to college at Sonoma State UniversityTo study both Mathematics and Computer Science. In 1995 he decided to leave school and started working fulltime in the computer industry, while twisting balloons after hours throughout Northern California.  He worked in the industry for over 15 years before deciding to leave the industry for his true passion, balloon art. He has held jobs in many locations helping people with their computer problems, including internships/co-ops at Sonoma State University as a help desk attendant, Harvard University as a lab technician for the Freshman Yard Computer Center(While on National Student Exchange), at Apple Computer as a software quality technician for the Powermac 7500/8500/9500 series of computers, at Rae Technology, a now defunt maker of personal management software that was about 5 years ahead of it's time; a software quality technician and Apple IT and Apple/Windows integration specialist, and first employee of NetObjects, and a Senior Macintosh Technician/Apple Certified Technical Coordinator for the now defunct MacCenter coordinating and repairing Apple computers for both the Broward and Miami-Dade School districts.   Along the way, he has worked as a librarian's assistant, cook's assistant, an ice cream parlor attendant, a Pizza Pizza maker, a grocery store cashier, a Dishwasher/Busboy, and a Salvation Army Bell Ringer.   At the end of 2003, he decided to leave the stressful computer industry to take his chances at twisted balloon art in the hopes of making people happy while earning a living, and to get away from the 9 to 5 grind.

How did you get started?
I have been a balloon artist for over twelve years. I was introduced to the art of balloons in 1993 by my girlfriend at the time, and quickly joined an agency that sent him to various different restaurants all throughout Northern California. Over the course of the next 7 years, he kept twisting balloons in Northern California and kept improving his art. In mid 1999 I had a major back injury that resulted in me having to give up performing with balloons in public for almost 2 years. At the end of 1999, I decided to leave the Socialist Republic of Northern California to return home to Miami. In 2001, I ended up having back surgery, which resulted in me being able to return to making balloon art for the masses. I have taken classes from some of the best balloon artists in the USA, which include Royal Sorell and Don Caldwell, have been an understudy/business partner to some of Florida's best balloon artists, including Bobby Scuteri/Scooter The Clown, and Bob Diamond/Bobby The Balloon Guy and have taught others in the area.

Why do you make balloons?
The are several reasons why I do it.  The main reason is because of the kids, man. To see a young child just stand there and watch in awe as you make an incredible balloon creation, just for them. The reactions that I get from that alone is worth it to me.  Also some of the conversations kids strike up with me can get very fun and interesting. I also have no nosey bosses or annoying coworkers.  That is a great feeling. I am free from the 'office politics' of the corporate world. What more could a person want?

Who are your influences?
The types of people who influence me are the greatest visionaries and revolutionaries of their field.  Steve Jobs of Apple Computer, Gene Simmons of KISS, The Beatles, Ayn Rand, Walter E Williams, just to name a few. All of these folks have at one time, or are still considered radicals, yet their work has helped mankind in one way or the other, either through music, literature, entertainment or technology.

Any plans for the future?
Yes I do.   The first involves completing my indredibly cool balloon show. Once I can get that completed, I have a few plans, such as an instructional video for other balloon professionals, and a few music projects that I am co-writing and storyboarding as we speak. If those projects pan out, I promise that they will be something that has never been done before... I can't wait!

Anything else you would like to say?
Please visit my new online shop at cafe press.com This is the place to get official Miami Balloon Guy Merchandise.  Also, don't forget to come to one of the resataurant locations that I entertain at to get the latest and greatest in cutting edge balloon art!