Meet Kevin McCloskey | Party Host and Planner

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

Hi Kevin, every day, we know how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
In my personal life, among my friends and family, I am known as the “planner” “organizer” and “fun and games” guy. I’ve hosted game nights, thrown surprise parties, planned trivia games around guests of honor and made my home the go-to spot for parties with my family and friends. After years working in social services, I was ready for something new, and something that tapped into my skills as a creative entertainer. I went through a process in late 2023 and early 2024, starting by reading a book called Pivot, by Adam Markel, because I knew I was ready for something new in my career but I had no idea what that was. For me, the book was excellent at taking me on a journey of rediscovering what I love, what makes me happy and what I’m good at. At the same time, I planned an 80th Surprise Party for my mother, 600 miles from my home. And it went off perfectly. My brother made the comment to me after the party – “You’re really good at putting parties together” and it stuck with me. I realized that when it comes to party planning, not only does it come easy for me, but I really love helping people celebrate each other. That experience along with reading Pivot brought me to the idea of launching WeParty!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always been an artist and creative. Ever since I was young, I would get my friends together to perform plays, make movies, shoot music videos – anything to get people to entertain each other. I went to school for Visual Arts, thinking I would pursue a career in film. But I discovered my love for helping others and volunteering in college and went into social services. I became a leader in the non-profit sector, working for the betterment of children, youth and families in a variety of communities. WeParty is an opportunity for me to combine my two loves: entertainment and helping others. I am mid-career and trying to make a big change from social services to event and party entertainment, and it’s not easy. Having a full-time job, a family and a full schedule makes it difficult to give WeParty the time and effort it needs. But I am so excited about vision of heling people celebrate life’s moments that I am driven to work hard and keep going. I want clients to feel so happy with the services we’ve provided, that they will remember their event for the rest of their lives. Nothing makes me happier than when a client says we exceeded their expectations. Our goal is to bring meaning to life’s moments, and we do that by elevating parties and events, creating moments that will last a lifetime.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Breakfasts:
Breakfast Republic in Hollywood
Neighborhood Cafe in Universal City
Leo & Lilys in Woodland Hills

Daytime:
Hike Escondido Falls in Malibu
3rd Street Promenade
Shop at The Village at Topanga Mall
Beach day at Will Rogers State Beach
Long Beach Aquarium
Rent bikes and cruise through DTLA and the arts district
Do a Scavenger Hunt in Hollywood with WeParty 🙂

Lunch & Happy Hour:
La Boheme in West Hollywood – on their enormous patio
Idle Hour in North Hollywood

Afternoon & Evening:
Griffith Observatory
Improv or Groundlings Show
Dodger Game
Vista Theater for a movie
Wi Korean Spa

Dinner & Drinks
Vitellos in Studio City
Frank & Musso’s in Hollywood
Kopan Ramen & Sushi – like Encino location
The Sherman in Sherman Oaks
Korena BBQ in Koreatown

Late Night:
Mr Furley’s bar in Sherman Oaks
Player One Arcade in North Hollywood
The Local Peasant in Sherman Oaks or Woodland Hills

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother ran a business that she loved for 30+ years, even though she never considered herself an entrepreneur. Watching her take on the challenge and the risk of running a business has inspired me in my journey and kept me going. It wasn’t easy for her and it’s not easy for me, but knowing she did it keeps me going.

Website: https://www.weparty.biz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weparty.biz/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kjmccloskey/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559712483241

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/weparty-san-fernando-valley-5?osq=WeParty