Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandra.
Hi Chandra, 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?
Here’s a polished version that keeps your personal story and warm, creative voice, while making it flow more smoothly and professionally:
**From Garage Beginnings to a Thriving Business**
I started this business in my garage in April 2020, installing yard balloons for those bittersweet drive-by birthdays during the height of social distancing. Little did I know that what started as a creative way to bring a little joy during a difficult time would quickly turn into a thriving business, with more than 300 installations that summer and fall alone.
Balloon garlands—the long, full arrangements of balloons that became incredibly popular that year—have remained a staple six years later. My degree in marketing, combined with my creative flair, has certainly come in handy as I’ve grown and evolved the business.
I like to think my installations are more than just a simple balloon garland—after all, you can find those everywhere today! I love putting a creative spin on each design and creating something unique for every event. I think that personal touch is a big reason my customers continue to come back. Once you’ve experienced one of our balloon installations at an event, it’s hard to imagine celebrating without them!
Balloons are fun, and they bring an instant element of joy, excitement, and celebration to any occasion. One of my greatest compliments is that **85% of my business comes from repeat and referral customers.** That tells me I’m creating more than decorations—I’m creating experiences that people want to bring back to their celebrations.
This year, I’m adding something new to the business: **porch pumpkin installations from September through November.** Last year, I styled a clubhouse entrance with a giant pumpkin arch and a cascade of pumpkins, and I absolutely loved creating it! I’m excited to bring that same creativity to more homes this fall and make porch styling an annual offering for my clients.
In addition to balloons and seasonal porch installations, I also offer **event styling and decorating**, helping clients bring their vision to life through creative, personalized details.
What started with a few balloons in my garage has grown into a business built around creativity, celebration, and—most importantly—bringing a little more joy to people’s special moments.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the biggest challenges I face are the ones completely outside of my control. Here in Texas, the weather rarely wants to cooperate! The two biggest enemies of balloons are heat and wind, and if you’re hosting an outdoor event in Texas, chances are you’ll have to deal with at least one of them—and often both.
Another challenge, although thankfully it’s a good one to have, is managing scheduling conflicts. In this business, orders tend to come in waves. I might have one or two installations on a given weekend, and then suddenly I’ll have five or six customers all requesting the exact same weekend. It can definitely be a juggling act!
That’s when I call in my backup team. My two teenage daughters, my husband, and several local balloon artists who have become good friends are always willing to jump in and help when things get busy. Having that support system makes it possible to take on those especially busy weekends while still giving each customer the quality and creativity they expect.
Honestly, having more business than I can handle on my own is a pretty great problem to have!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There are so many talented balloon artists today, which creates a healthy and exciting level of competition. I genuinely enjoy admiring other artists’ work, seeing what’s trending, and drawing inspiration from their creativity. It pushes me to continue growing and finding new ways to make my own work stand out.
For me, the biggest differentiator is going above and beyond my clients’ expectations. I see every installation as an opportunity to create something beautiful, but also as an opportunity to earn a customer for life. If a client orders a certain size garland, but when I arrive I feel it would look better with a few extra feet, an additional accent, or another small detail, I’ll often add it at no extra charge. I want my clients to feel like they received more than they expected.
I also have a personal rule: every installation should be “post-worthy.” At the end of each setup, I step back, take a photo with my phone, and ask myself, “Would this look good on my Instagram? Is this truly post-worthy?” If the answer is no, I’m not finished yet. I’ll continue tweaking, rearranging, adding, or editing until I feel like the installation looks just right.
That extra attention to detail is important to me because I’m not just creating a balloon display—I’m creating something that represents my business. Every installation is a reflection of my creativity, and I want every client to be excited enough about it to take a picture, share it, and hopefully call me again for their next celebration.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My biggest piece of advice when it comes to networking is simple: just be kind. I’ve found that reaching out to other local artists, introducing myself, and letting them know that I’d love to support one another can go a long way. Rather than viewing other balloon artists as competition, I see them as potential partners. We can refer clients to each other, share the workload when schedules get crazy, and help one another grow.
The truth is, everyone has a birthday, everyone celebrates holidays, and everyone has events. There is plenty of business to go around! Building relationships with other artists has not only helped me manage busy weekends, but it has also created genuine friendships and a great support network within the industry.
Networking with local event planners has also been a huge part of growing my corporate business. I absolutely love working with clients on birthdays, baby showers, and other personal celebrations, but there is a huge market for corporate events as well. Corporate installations can mean larger orders, more labor, and more logistics—but they can also mean significantly more revenue.
For me, networking isn’t about simply handing out business cards or trying to sell myself. It’s about building relationships, supporting other businesses, and making sure people know who they can call when they need creative event décor. Those relationships have opened doors to opportunities I may never have found on my own.
Pricing:
- $300 minimum
- Average orders are $350-$1000
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bigpopnballoons
- Facebook: @bigpopnballoons
