Meet Topher Nevoso | balloon twister, clown, big fan of ravioli.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Topher Nevoso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Topher, what is the most important factor behind your success?
There is really a lot that goes into finding success, but being open to everything helps. As an entertainer it’s easy to get stuck in your own way, but you’ve got to listen to your audience. They’ll tell you what they want, then you just have to be willing to put yourself out there to make them happy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a clown first and a balloon artist second, but most of my work is balloon-related. I fell in love with the art of clown as a child, and it was always my dream to throw on baggy pants and make people laugh. There’s so much more to it than the general public knows, but if you care about your craft it’s a labor of love. As my father always said, “If you love what you do, you won’t work a single day in your life.” He was right.

Balloon twisting was really a happy accident. I decided it would be a good skill to know so I could book some birthday parties. It turns out I was able to get really good at it really quickly, and learned that there is so much more than simple one-balloon dogs and swords that you can do. It’s been off to the races ever since. But again, I’m a clown, so I don’t ever just want to be a balloon making machine. I like to entertain and interact with my audience. Eventually, the balloon is going to pop, so I want to make sure they also have a memory that can last forever.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, man, I’m really a homebody when I’m not working, so this is tricky. I love to go to Guardians, Cavs, and Monsters games, so they would definitely be on the list. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is up there, too.

There are so many fantastic restaurants in the Cleveland area. My wife and I are vegan, so we always try to go somewhere that has great vegan options. Cleveland Vegan in Lakewood is my favorite. Ohio Pie Co. and Sakana are up there, too. Plus you can’t go wrong at Mason’s.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I want to thank my wife and kids. It’s not easy when you’re gone most of the weekend, but they support me endlessly and I couldn’t do it without them. Making people laugh was always my dream, and they help me live that dream.

I’ve worked with a lot of incredible people over the years that have helped make me better at what I do. I don’t think I’ve ever been as thankful as I am, though, to get to work with the Fowler family (Flower Entertainment). I get unconditional love and support from them, and I’ve been treated like family since Day One. I haven’t enjoyed doing what I do this much in years, and a lot of that credit goes to them.

Also working with a partner that you click with is huge. From the moment Blake Bailey (Parhamovich) and I met, we hit it off. We are constantly brainstorming and bouncing ideas off of each other, and we push each other to be better because of it. He’s a great friend, a great clown, and I’m thankful to know him.

Website: www.mynameistopher.com

Instagram: @topherclown

Facebook: @topherclown

Other: Threads: @topherclown