Party Animals Celebrating 4 Years

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business leaders about what inspires them. This month’s spotlight is on Loretta S. Hajovsky of Texas Party Animals in La Grange.

1.) What is your business?

Texas Party Animals

My company specializes in trained, beautifully groomed, and in costumes alpacas for weddings, corporate receptions, birthdays, and high-end parties and events all across Texas.

2.) How did you get started?

My husband, Gérard Hajovsky, took me on a day trip to Tierra Promedia Alpaca Ranch in Fisher, Texas. I fell in love with all of the alpacas, especially the new born cria (a juvenile alpaca. A baby was just born that morning of our visit. Gérard purchased three alpaca boys pets for me as pets. I spent a lot of time training my three new pets. I made a rainbow unicorn costume and took one of my boys to movie night on the square to see how he interacted to other people. After one and a half hours of people taking photos with Tex, we left for our drive home to Holman. It was on the drive home that Gérard suggested that I start a woman owned small live animals business taking the alpacas to parties and events. Within two weeks Texas Party Animals was born. Last year we worked 165 events.

3.) How long have you been in business?

Four years this month.

4.) Is this a female-run business?

Yes! My husband is a full time farmer rancher in Fayette county. It was important that Texas Party Animals was a female-owned and operated business. He has been the most supportive husband and also works many of the events.

5.) What kind of service do you provide?

Live animal entertainment trained exotic alpacas for weddings, birthday parties, corporate receptions, marriage proposals, photography, commercials and more.

6.) Tell me something unique about your business? Do you breed your Alpacas?

My company is based on fun and originality. I do not breed alpacas. I purchase them when they are 5-6 months old. I then spend hundreds of hours training them. There is a training checklist that each alpaca must pass before they are used at an event.

7.) What is your background?

My working background is in accounting, marketing, and public relations. I have always had a love for all animals. Owning a live animals entertainment business is so rewarding.

8.) What do you suggest to others who want to venture out and take a leap of action in the future of their career?

Yes, absolutely go for it! Life is too short to be working a miserable job.

9.) Do you believe in college, trade school, or any training.

I believe you should follow your passions and interests if those interests require a college or trade school education then absolutely. But our youth need to be encouraged to follow their dreams and to think outside of the box.

10.) How did you decide to give the names to your “human pets”?

All of their names had to represent Texas! So the nine pack of all-male alpacas crew all have all popular names; Willie, Waylon, Tex we’re my first three. Then followed Houston and Austin. Then followed Pancho, Lefty, and Lone Star and my newest alpaca is Charlie.

11.) What makes you laugh and happy?

Volunteering for children’s charity and my grandchildren.