Dec 25, 2016
ERIC WELCH has been delighting the birthday boys and girls of celebrity clients such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Larry King and Ben Affleck for the last 15 years. When it comes to throwing awesome children's birthday parties for LA's junior well-to-do, Eric's AMAZING KID COMPANY is in a class all by itself. (39:41)
EPISODE NOTES:
There are all kinds of businesses in LA that cater to the rich and famous. And when it comes to the business of throwing awesome children’s birthday parties for the junior well-to-do, THE AMAZING KID COMPANY is in a class by itself.
For the last 15
years, ERIC WELCH has been delighting the birthday boys and girls
of celebrity clients such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Larry King and,
more recently, Ben Affleck. As Eric reveals in THE PARTY GURU, it
was difficult in the beginning for him to go to work in the homes
of famous actors because, for a long time, he aspired to be a
famous actor himself. (Eric had a recurring role as Corky’s bully,
Brian Russo, on the ABC series “Life Goes On.”) “To be completely
honest, it was a jealousy kind of thing. It was like, you know,
here I am kid party entertainer guy going to the celebrity’s
house.”
But as Eric
continued to mastermind more and more birthday parties he began to
genuinely embrace his new craft. And, in doing so, he developed a
philosophy that guides him and his staff of 21 to this day. Eric
says the foundation of that philosophy is, quite simply, love:
“It’s looking at a kid in the eyes and really having love for this
fellow human being. When you come from the heart, it’s much easier
to make their birthday party the best day of their
life.”
Occasionally,
that means showing a little tough love. Some of the kids Eric works
with are used to getting whatever they want. “We don’t necessarily
give them everything they want. We may be the only people in their
lives that tell them ‘no’. But we know how to say ‘no’ in a way
that they’re not going to rebel. They’re not going to hate us.
That’s because they know that when we say ‘no’ it’s coming from a
place of love.”
Eric may only see
these privileged kids once a year, but he sees them year after
year, so he wants his contact with them to make a positive
difference in their lives. “Children like this have money and
they’re always going to have money, so they’re always going to have
some sort of influence. So if that’s the case, I want to have some
influence on this person who’s going to have
influence.”
Because The
Amazing Kid Company creates parties for children of all ages, Eric
has developed an uncommon ability to communicate with young people.
“There’s a key to every kid. It’s just a matter of finding it.” And
that includes toddlers who don’t yet have the power of speech.
“There are ways to communicate with them without words and you can
see God. Or spirit. Or the universe. Whatever you want to call it,
you can see where this little person came
from. Not just birthday parties is it,
Brent?”
You got that right, Eric.
BP
Many thanks to the composers of the music featured in this episode royalty free through Creative Commons licensing:
1. "Good Times" by Podington Bear - soundofpicture.com
2. "Revved Up" by Adam Selzer - incompetech.com
3. "Curiosity" by Lee Rosevere - leerosevere.bandcamp.com
4. "Kitten" by Podington Bear - soundofpicture.com
5. "Buddy Guy" by Poddington Bear - soundofpicture.com