We recently connected with Beja Foster and have shared our conversation below.

Beja, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Hands down, the most meaningful project I’ve worked on recently was a 1st Birthday Party for a service dog in training named Velveeta—yes, like the cheese! Velveeta’s raisers, Jess and Tiff, wanted to throw an unforgettable bash to celebrate her time with their family before she graduated to her big-girl job as a full-blown service dog with Canine Companions. And oh, we went ALL out for this fur-baby fiesta.

We teamed up with The Barkday Planner and turned the space into a doggo carnival with cascading balloon installations around a ferris wheel (yes, there was a ferris wheel) and a chandelier hanging over the ultimate hot spot—the dogs’ favorite, the ball pit! It was pure joy watching Velveeta and her squad of yellow lab friends, who are also in training, living their best lives with tails wagging. It was a bittersweet celebration for me, too, because we had just lost our own 14-year-old lab, so this project hit a little close to home.

But seriously, what a gift to create a party that honored these amazing pups who are going to change someone’s world for the better. It was a day of laughter, a few tears, and a LOT of dog treats. Truly one of those projects you never forget.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At Bougie Balloon, we like to say that we blow up your party atmosphere. I’ve been involved in large scale women’s events at Keystone Church for over 15 years, and I was known for reinterpreting artistic displays inspired by the likes of Anthropologie displays and celebrity scale events. The turning point came when ‘The Greatest Showman’ was a mainstay in our living rooms and playlists. We transformed the church lobby into a wonderland of ceiling balloons that looked like clouds, and I was the one leading the charge for the balloon team.

Back then, the organic balloon scene was still in its infancy—there were no fancy tutorials or guides. It was just me, some grit and a whole lot of trial and error. I remember watching the only tutorials available—people sewing balloons together with needles and fishing line (like, are you kidding?! Needles and balloons were not vibing, let’s just say that). So, when friends saw the magic and wanted their own balloon setups, I decided to level up and take some professional courses.

Bougie Balloon exists to cancel the party panic- that terrible feeling of trying to pull off all the party details including getting dressed, cleaning the house, and crying over the not as advertised DIY balloon kit that is killing your party vibe. My secret sauce is a background in web and graphic design that informs every color palette, the texture, and patterns that draw people into a space to experience the exact mood you want to capture. Balloons transform a room instantly with scale and wonder that becomes that jaw dropping remember this moment for life kind of ways that appeal to every age. Bougie Balloon is all about creating those jaw-dropping moments that leave people saying, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this before!”

I’ve been in the balloon biz for over 5 years now, and I’m constantly plugged in with the best in the industry. I like to think of myself as a bit of a balloon nerd—I’m always geeking out over the latest trends and techniques. Bougie Balloon is obsessed with being fashion forward and ahead of the trend so that you get to be the inspiration for other people’s events. We work with corporate clients, wedding and event planners, and individuals. We love it all!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Right when things were really taking off—when Bougie Balloon had all this wild momentum and it looked like my creative dreams were finally coming true—I had to hit pause. I took an 8-month break to treat my Complex PTSD, and to be real, it almost broke me to step back when everything I’d worked for was picking up steam. From the outside, it looked like things were going perfectly, but I knew that I had to take care of myself first if I was going to keep creating the kind of magic I wanted to bring to my clients.

Those 8 months were some of the toughest of my life, but they were also a turning point. Taking that break wasn’t just about survival, it was about finding a way to thrive again—both personally and creatively. When I came back, I felt more grounded, more inspired, and more connected to my work than ever before. I realized that making beautiful things doesn’t mean you have to be perfect or have it all together. Sometimes, the best creativity comes from the messiest parts of life.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The driving mission behind Bougie Balloon is to celebrate everything possible. We want to help people see that they matter and this happens on the family level when you create special traditions like capturing a photo with a Bougie Balloon- our namesake service that is a 3 foot helium balloon with tassels and a custom vinyl message. Whether it’s a birthday, college signing day, retirement, a first day of school, or any other achievement, we know the impact it has on a person to feel seen for who they are and what they are doing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bougieballoon.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bougieballoon

Image Credits

White bounce house with yellow balloons: Chelsea Green Photography; Photo of Beja with balloon wall: Susana Clare Photography; Blue bounce house with dog bone balloons: Chelsea Green Photography; Velveeta’s Carnival Photos with yellow lab and ferris wheel: Haute Dog Pet Photography