Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Waters.
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
What began as a casual scroll through animal adoption ads — sparked by a listing for a tortoise, of all things — quickly spiraled into something much bigger. We stumbled upon goat adoption ads. That was the moment our daughter unleashed her ultimate superpower: relentless pleading. And just like that, our little farm adventure kicked off.
Goats arrived first. Then chickens. Then ducks. Then miniature horses. The bunnies. Then more goats. More chickens. And yes… even more goats. Before long, our humble backyard looked like a casting call for a barnyard sitcom.
We loved it — the early mornings, the noisy evenings, and the daily mystery of “Who escaped the pen this time?” But as the animals multiplied, so did the feed bill. With my naturally entrepreneurial spirit (and a strong desire to keep the goats in gourmet hay), I started brainstorming ways the farm could help pay its own way.
That’s when the lightbulb flicked on: our area was surprisingly short on mobile petting zoos. So Party Animals was born. The goal was modest — if we booked just one party a month, it would cover our hay budget. Fast forward, and we’re now booked solid, turning away more customers than we ever expected. Apparently, there’s nothing kids (and adults) love more than a goat showing up to their birthday party.
Looking ahead, we dream of expanding to a bigger property with more acres — space enough to host on-farm events and welcome a few new characters to the cast. A mini donkey, a mini cow, and, naturally, more goats, bunnies, and chickens are all on the wish list.
After all, once you start down the goat path… there’s really no turning back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road, for the most part, has been surprisingly smooth. The toughest part of farm life isn’t the early mornings or the endless chores — it’s the simple, heartbreaking truth that animals don’t live forever. Losing one is never easy, no matter how many times you tell yourself it’s part of the job.
Winter also likes to keep us humble. Freezing troughs and solid-as-a-rock water buckets turn even the quickest chores into full-blown workouts. But aside from the occasional emotional gut punch and the seasonal ice sculpting, farm life has treated us pretty well.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I’m a Web and Graphic Designer. By day, I manage websites, social media, and print design for a local school district — a role that turned out to be the secret weapon behind launching Party Animals. I was able to design our website, create all our branding and printed materials, and put my marketing experience to work spreading the word.
Those skills have truly set us apart from other farm and entertainment businesses. We’ve never spent a dime on advertising — every single customer has found us through social media buzz, Google searches, or good old-fashioned word-of-mouth. It turns out a cute goat photo can travel pretty far online.
But beyond running a business, giving back to our community has always been at the heart of what we do. Each year, we donate parties to families facing hardship — whether a child is battling cancer, a family has suffered a recent loss, or someone simply needs a day of joy. We want our animals to bring comfort and smiles wherever they go.
We’ve also partnered with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, using our little farm to make a big impact. Because while Party Animals keeps us busy, spreading joy is still our favorite part of the job.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was the kid who always smelled faintly of campfire or cookie dough — depending on the day. I loved animals, cooking, and sports, and I threw myself into every activity I could find. I was an enthusiastic 4-H member, a proud Girl Scout, and never once hesitated to get my hands dirty.
One of my favorite childhood memories is spending a week at a dairy farm in Saratoga, NY with 4-H. I was in heaven — up to my boots in chores, surrounded by animals, and fully convinced I belonged there forever. I even tried to smuggle home a barn cat, which my parents vetoed immediately (to my great disappointment and the cat’s likely relief).
When I wasn’t at camp or feeding some creature, I threw myself into clubs and sports. I also started working young — first delivering newspapers, then selling Avon door-to-door, and eventually jumping into the world of fast food and retail. That early hustle taught me a lot, including the value of a good work ethic and an even better pair of shoes.
And, of course, there were always animals. Our house was basically a low-budget zoo: dogs, birds, fish, reptiles — you name it, it probably lived with us at some point. Life was loud, lively, and never, ever dull. It’s no surprise I ended up building a life where animals are still front and center.
Pricing:
- Packages start at $150.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.partyanimalsnc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partyanimalsnc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partyanimalsnc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-waters-61919721/
- Other: https://sites.google.com/view/lisa-waters
