Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Ferguson Duggan and Kim Pridgen.
Brittany and Kim, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Our story is very interesting! This is not a story that starts out with a “we wanted to do this our whole lives” spill. We both met at our current full-time job and quickly became great friends. We would decorate each other’s cubicles as a way to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Our designs and ideas were always customized and truly out-of-the-box! We started decorating for others as well.
And honestly, we just loved the way it made people feel. Let’s just say that word travels fast… because we went from decorating cubicles, to planning and decorating private and corporate events. We made our company, Balloonabilities, official in March of 2019. Since then, we have had an immense amount of inquiries and bookings. We are just so elated! We can, now, say that even though our story didn’t start with a “we wanted to do this our whole lives” spill, it will definitely end with a “we want to do this for the rest of our lives” spill!
Has it been a smooth road?
NO! Yes we’re yelling! NO NO NO NO NO!!! LOL. It has not been a smooth road. We both work full-time, 9-5 jobs. Collectively we hold several different titles, mother, wife and college student are just a few. Needless to say, our plates are full. Sometimes we get overwhelmed and want to stop. But we love decorating! It brings us so much joy and peace to see the looks on our clients’ faces after we do a reveal. It makes all of the stress and anxiety go away. Initially we struggled with being able to manage our time. Each event gets better and better because we are learning the skills necessary to complete our tasks in a timely and more efficient manner.
Four pieces of advice that we would give to younger women would be to 1. Be Patient. Success is not overnight. It really does take time. 2. Learn and practice your craft as much as you can. Use your free time to get better at what you do. 3. Gather a good support system. It’s okay to ask for help. Find about 2-3 strong people that are willing to assist when needed. Even if they just listen or encourage you, that goes a long way. 4. Invest in yourself. Don’t be afraid to take courses to familiarize yourself with the industry. Do not put a price tag on the amount of times you choose to better yourself.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Balloonabilities – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Balloonabilities is an event planning and decorating company. We specialize in full-service planning and balloon decor for all events, including bridal and baby showers, birthdays, corporate events, and much more. We are mostly known for our customized centerpieces and balloon decor, but we can do it all!
We thrive on our ability to listen to our clients’ needs and produce something that even they could never imagine. We put a lot of time, energy, thought and love into each of our designs so that no two are the same. As a brand, we are most proud of how far we’ve come. Less than a year ago, we knew nothing about this business/industry. Here we are 11 months later, being featured. Our journey is only just beginning! Stay tuned…
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Honestly, we are still looking for a mentor in this industry. We have figured out a lot on our own, but there are still things that we would like to learn. We engage more on social media and have joined a few groups that were created to assist with networking. Through these groups, we have been able to ask questions and meet others going through the same obstacles. We have embraced our small business community and try to share with others, the same information we have received.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.balloonabilities.com
- Phone: 470-504-4667
- Email: balloonabilitiesllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: @balloonabilities
- Facebook: Balloonabilities
Image Credit:
Captured By Moses
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