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Meet Sabrina Kernagis of Posh Pinatas in Phoenix

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Kernagis.

Sabrina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Posh Pinatas came about in 2018, which happened to be one of the toughest years that I have faced. After going through so many obstacles, my spirits had been dampened and I was worn out. I decided to take a little break and do some soul searching.

There was one day I went into my daughter’s room, sat on her bed, closed my eyes, and listened to the silence…I then asked myself, “What is something that you are good at and what you love to do?” I quietly whispered to myself, “Art.” From a young age, I was known to be artistically inclined. Always drawing, painting, or making crafts.

After having that moment with myself, I slowly opened my eyes and gazed around my daughter’s room. Oddly enough, that is when a piece of decor hanging on her wall stood out to me. It just so happened to be the head of a unicorn from a pinata at my 7th birthday. It brought me back to the joys of my youth. I could feel everything from that day. The tightening of my hands around the pinata stick, the wave of roars from friends and family that flooded my ears, and the only worry in the world were not busting my pinata open on this next hit…then-SMASH!

That is when the idea hit me. “I should start making pinatas.” I know the idea sounded silly to some, even my Dad sounded confused when I initially told him that I was starting a pinata business. But, the feeling of happiness that was brought to me on my trip down memory lane, made me realize that Life is Worth Celebrating. It’s in those moments of celebration that we create memories that we can reflect on the days when life has you down. And what better way to celebrate than with a pinata?!?!

Over the next several months I began to do some research and started designing and constructing pinatas. I then started reaching out to the community to see if anyone would be interested in a free pinata at their next event, so I could start getting my name out there. Since then I’ve gone on to make some pretty neat pinatas for some pretty awesome clients.

As of now, I am focusing on continuing to build my client list, and build relationships with businesses across the Valley. As well as a few upcoming projects for this holiday season, with one of them benefiting CAPA (Chrysalis Academy Parent Association) that I am currently a board member of. All while still pursuing my goal of owning my own mobile pinata studio where I can build, and sell my pinatas as well as travel to host workshops.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think for me some of the biggest struggles, in the beginning, were finances, and work/home life balance. Having never owned my own business before, I never realized the number of funds it takes to start-up and maintains a successful business. This was especially difficult since I am a single mom that struggles to get by. But I had to get creative and find cost-efficient ways to produce pinatas while still maintaining a high-quality product.

I also worried about how I was going to balance my life with my daughter, pinatas, and my part-time job. However, with trial and error, I was able to create a schedule for myself that allows me, for the time being, to do all three.

Along the way, when constructing pinatas, I’ve learned which kind of crepe paper holds better with which type of glue, to configuring the durability of each pinata and how many whacks can be gotten out of it based on the denseness of the cardboard. And yes, there is a science when it comes to pinata making.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I had a very specific vision when designing my pinatas. I did not want to create licensed characters, or the typical pinatas hanging at your local grocery stores. I also didn’t want people to feel that pinatas are only for kid’s birthday parties, but rather for any age and any occasion. I wanted to create high quality, one of a kind pinatas, that would create priceless memories. Hence, Posh Pinatas.

Since starting I have had the honor to make pinatas for a few notable events such as:
ALT AZ 93.3 2018 Ugly Holiday Sweater Show
DTPHX Fried Festival
Cinco de Chandler Block Party
Along with being featured on the FOX 10 Morning Show and AZ Midday on 12 News. However, my proudest moment for Posh Pinatas, so far, was my very first event. I created several large blue puzzle pieces for the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix’s Annual Fall Picnic. Puzzle pieces have become a known symbol to represent Autism awareness. That one was very special to me since my daughter, Reagan is on the Autism Spectrum. Being able to see the kids participate in an activity that brought joy on their faces is something I will always cherish.

Posh Pinatas offers pinatas for any reason worth celebrating. For the young and old (free pinatas for centennials), small or BIG, private parties and workshops, for just decor or to SMASH, Posh Pinatas has your back.

What were you like growing up?
I always had a big imagination growing up, still, do now… I remember always drawing my own little characters and making up a story to go along with it. I was always asking for a new art set for every birthday and Christmas. As I got older, I started taking art and theater classes at school. I feel like that was the best outlet for me to be able to express my creative side.

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