We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carisa C a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carisa , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The purpose of starting Ricochet Experience was to give myself the freedom to explore my creative side and create an outlet outside of corporate America. For the last seven years, I’ve built my career in project management within government facilities—an environment that is often rigid and, as a Black woman in a predominantly white, male-dominated construction industry, not always the most inclusive or empowering space.

Ricochet Experience became my way to step into something that was fully mine—where I could be my own boss, call the shots, and let my creativity run free. Earlier this year, I transitioned to a government position, but due to cutbacks under the Trump administration, I lost my job. That experience opened my eyes even more to how important it is to take control of my own destiny, to ensure that no one else can dictate how I provide for my family.

My goal now is to grow Ricochet Experience into something bigger and better—to achieve financial freedom, creative fulfillment, and the independence that comes from building something I truly own.

Carisa , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Carisa Carper, the owner and creative director behind Ricochet Experience, a luxury balloon and event décor business serving the DMV area. My background is in project management—specifically in government facilities—where I’ve spent the last seven years managing multimillion-dollar projects in highly structured, male-dominated environments. While I’m proud of that career, I’ve always had a strong creative side that needed space to flourish.

Ricochet Experience began as my personal outlet—mainly creating décor for my family and my children’s events. I discovered how much joy I got from transforming a space and watching people’s faces light up. Over time, word spread, and with encouragement from friends and loved ones, I decided to turn that passion into a business.

Today, Ricochet Experience specializes in luxury balloon installations that combine elegance with affordability. I believe everyone deserves that “wow” factor for their event without having to break the bank. Whether it’s a wedding, baby shower, milestone birthday, or corporate celebration, my goal is to deliver show-stopping designs that feel high-end while still being accessible.

What sets Ricochet Experience apart is our ability to pair creativity with precision. I bring the same attention to detail and professionalism from my project management career into every installation, ensuring clients get a seamless, stress-free experience.

I’m most proud of building a brand that reflects my creativity, resilience, and passion for celebrating life’s moments. For me, this is about more than balloons—it’s about making luxury experiences possible for everyone and turning special occasions into lasting memories.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’m currently in the middle of my pivot right now. After coming from a steady career in project management, I’m standing in front of the unknown—building this business and figuring out what my next step will be. If anyone knows the life of a business owner, you know it’s full of risks. Right now, my focus is on growing my clientele, pouring into my creativity, and trusting that the energy and work I put out into the world will come back to me.

This is the part of the journey that’s about faith, patience, and consistency. And hopefully, if you do another article on me in three years, I’ll be able to tell you all about my success story from the other side.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been word of mouth and social media—especially Instagram. Because Ricochet Experience is such a visual business, people often see my work in photos and videos from events, and that sparks interest. A lot of my bookings have come from someone attending a party I styled or a friend of a past client recommending me.

I’ve found that when you put your heart into every detail, people notice—and they talk about it. That personal referral carries so much weight because it’s based on real experiences, not just advertising. Social media then becomes an amplifier, helping my work reach people I’ve never even met but who connect with my style and vision.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Thericochet_experience
• Facebook: Ricochet experience