Harper and Cameron Grantz are the “Twist Tastic” siblings.
Harper, 10, and Cameron, 11, use their affinity for art and design to create everything from dogs and monkeys to swords and hats using colorful balloons.
They began their own business, Twist Tastic Duo, and completed their first event in May.
The West Leechburg siblings were inspired to start their own balloon art business after seeing a performer at a church event they attended in December.
The next day, Harper sketched a design of a stand they planned to set up on the side of the street to begin their balloon art exploration. Their mother, Natasha, pushed the kids to take their dream one step further and create a business where they could be booked for events such as parties, community events and festivals.
“I think they should learn how to make and manage their own money,” Grantz said.
She said the business not only gives Cameron and Harper hands-on life skills experience, it also gives them a chance to socialize with people of different ages and in different communities.
“They’re naturally gifted in a lot of areas, so we want to cultivate that,” Grantz said. “Whenever they have an interest, I’m like, ‘Let’s run with that.’ ”
The siblings didn’t waste any time diving into their new skills. They watched videos online, learned what balloons work best for their art and decided what styles they liked best for their creations.
After a few months of honing their craft, Harper’s favorite thing to make is a monkey, while Cameron’s is a sword.
“I’m amazed by my wife’s skills and what she brings out in (Cameron and Harper),” said Grantz’s husband, James, the children’s father.
During their first event, Harper and Cameron were charged with making balloon creations for a Minecraft-themed party. Party-goers were able to select from a few options and were given a temporary tattoo with their balloon.
Natasha Grantz said she got to see her children’s personalities shine. While Harper thrives on the administrative and creative side of the business, Cameron is “all heart” and shined during his interactions with party-goers, she said.
“I like that I get to provide a service to people,” Cameron said.
The pair made $150 and a $5 tip that they have framed in their house. They split the profits down the middle.
Harper said she is saving up for a horse and an Oculus, which is a virtual reality headset. Cameron bought an Oculus and intends to give some of his profits to his sister to help her get her own.
James Grantz loved seeing his children bring joy to other kids.
“Their faces lit up and they were running around playing with their swords,” he said.
Harper and Cameron have also used their skills while volunteering. Their mom takes her kids to local nursing homes to visit and sometimes bring the residents cookies.
During a recent visit, they brought along their balloons. Cameron made a balloon dog for a resident who ended up telling him stories about her own dog, Cinnamon.
Both children are artistic — even beyond their balloon business — practicing drawing, crafts and painting in their free time.
Harper began to explore the digital art forum and is offering birthday invitations she designs with Canva, a graphic design platform, as an add-on option to the balloon art services. People can book the Twist Tastic Duo through their business’s Facebook page.
Like most coworkers, the two have occasional disagreements. Most of the time it has to do with the details of balloon designs, Grantz said.
Any additions to the business come down to a vote between the siblings. Both must agree or no action is taken.
Cameron and Harper agreed that it’s nice having a business partner who doubles as a close confidant.
“It’s nice to have a helper if you need one,” Harper said.
Haley Daugherty is a TribLive reporter covering local politics, feature stories and Allegheny County news. A native of Pittsburgh, she lived in Alabama for six years. She joined the Trib in 2022 after graduating from Chatham University. She can be reached at hdaugherty@triblive.com.
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