Arnold-based Colorful & Sweet Creations throws parties across Pittsburgh region

When Monique Teasley saw how much others were charging to plan events and decorate for parties, she knew she could do it for less and enjoy it at the same time.

And that’s how Colorful & Sweet Creations was born, with the help of her childhood friend, Dionna Mott, and the encouragement of her fiance, Antonio Black.

“The thought of starting a business never occurred to me,” said Teasley, 33, a resident of Arnold for six years who grew up on the west side of Pittsburgh. “But when I met him, I got the idea I’d be able to do it.”

What started as a partnership a year ago is turning into a family business.

“I took a leap of faith and went ahead with it,” Teasley said. “Business picked up very fast, faster than I expected it to.”

Mott, 32, of Pittsburgh and Teasley are so close they call each other sisters. Mott, a certified nursing assistant, didn’t hesitate to get involved when Teasley pitched the idea to her.

“We started out small, and it ended up becoming something bigger than we expected,” Mott said. “It’s something we both enjoy. It’s something that we like to do as far as entertaining, events and things, especially for kids.”

Colorful & Sweet Creations provides decorations such as balloon arches, garlands and columns; popcorn, cotton candy and snow cone machines; and bounce houses. Packages range in price from $400 to $800, with add-ons available.

They also offer treats such as chocolate-covered pretzels and strawberries, homemade chocolates and chocolate pops, candy and caramel apples, and cake pops. Black said the pretzels have been so popular, people are calling just for those.

In their first year, Teasley said they have done about 25 events, including baby and bridal showers, children’s parties and birthdays. They’ve been all over the Pittsburgh area — from the North Hills to the South Hills and out to Beaver County.

“It was good,” she said of their first year. “It was kind of stressful at first. It went better than I expected.”

Their first event was an outdoor 50th birthday party in Penn Hills. And they learned something that first time out: Some balloons withstand heat better than others.

“I lost a lot of balloons because it was so hot,” she said. “They just started popping. They popped like crazy.”

Teasley and Black plan to get married in April. They have three kids together, and Teasley in total is a mother of six, ranging in age from 1 to 14, with 3-year-old twin boys among them. Black also has a 3-year-old daughter.

Black, 32, said he wanted his fiancee to give the business a go before they got married. He helps set up the bounce houses, and the kids help take them down by jumping on them to get the air out.

“I’m like, ‘Just try it. Go for it,’ ” he said. “It’s a cool business.”

Teasley said she gets most of her business from her Facebook page and website. She posts in social media groups every day to get her business seen.

Teasley has been working in home health care for six years and still does, but she hopes Colorful & Sweet will grow to where it can be her only job.

Now running the business out of her home, Teasley said they would like to have an event space eventually.

“It feels good. I’m in disbelief sometimes. I honestly love it. I’m my own boss. I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” she said. “My main thing is anything is possible. I didn’t think I could do it, but I’m doing it. It starts with you believing in yourself.”