Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Silvio.
Hi Briana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In February 2020, I resigned from my corporate job as a Financial Paraplanner for a Wealth Management firm to pursue a career as a private consultant for Corporate Event Planning. The onset of the pandemic took place a mere 2 weeks later and I found myself in a scary, isolating position as my original business plan was a “complete dumpster fire”. I searched for a way to find financial security and reintroduce joy into the Community amidst the unknown fear of the pandemic deepened. I reminded myself that we are in the business of spreading happiness, we are creative, and we have some resources to share and began to brainstorm ways to make a change, even a small one to help support our community.
“Bags of Sunshine”
Very simply, these are bags filled with biodegradable balloons which were sanitized and delivered (with gloves and without contact!), meant to bring a smile to the faces of children (and in turn, their grown ups!). We requested a $25 donation for each Bag of Sunshine and 100% of the proceeds were given to the dedicated staff at Cape Cod Hospital. We acknowledged they are working tirelessly and putting their own health at risk to keep our community healthy.
Being a conduit to this simple initiative allowed us the opportunity to say,
“we’re here, we support you, and we appreciate you.”
It sounds so simple but the amount of joy on a child’s face and the squeals of excitement when they open up a giant bag of balloons is indescribable. Word spread about the Bags of Sunshine and a bulk of the deliveries we completed were to the residences of hospital employees who were sending the bags to their children who they couldn’t have physical contact with because of the quarantine. These brave individuals are sleeping in garages, sheds, and on sun porches to protect their families from potential infection. The “bags of sunshine” provided these front-line caregivers the opportunity to receive pictures and videos of their children expressing joy and happiness.
It was a privilege to be of service to our community in a time of need and we hope our efforts inspire others to get creative when thinking of ways to give back!
Fast forward to 2024, we currently employ 4 full time staff, 3 part time staff, and peak season staff. We have elevated thousands of events, and currently service five states in New England. With a personal passion for creating efficient systems and operations and a fervor for community involvement we are more than just a small business- we are strong community leaders, dedicated philanthropist, and we are known for doing all things with honesty, integrity, and humility.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth but it has been filled with opportunity to grow, learn and learn to adapt quickly!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our Small business has become well known in the Community, earning multiple awards and recognition for our efforts elevating events and also through our efforts to give back.
Awards:
• Spirit of ILEA Award- June 2024
• SCORE 2023 Small Business Excellence Award Recipient- May 2024
• Entrepreneur of Note, Cape Cod Life – April 2024
• Enterprising Women Award, Cape & Plymouth Business Media- October 2022
• 40 Under 40 Award, Cape & Plymouth Business Media- August 2022
• Top 40 Companies to Watch in 2022- Feb 2022
• Best of the Upper Cape- New Company, November 2021
Current positions in volunteer-based organizations:
• Sandwich Chamber of Commerce- Board Member
o Chair- Events Committee
• Cape Cod Regional Chamber of Commerce-
o Committee- Cape Cod Wedding Group
• ILEA, Boston Chapter Member
o Committee- Annual Gala Special Events
• Cape Organization for the Rights of the Disabled
o Provided part-time employment for (2) interns from the organization
• In 2023- Donated over $33,000 to local schools and nonprofits in 2023 via direct donations and in-kind sponsorships
In 2024 Briana became an instructor in the Balloon Industry and the opportunities began pouring in. Below you can find some of the past and future Teaching Experiences she will be a part of!
Experience Teaching:
o Havin’ A Party- Teachable Moments- June 2023
o Betallic Balloonathon LA- June 2024
o ALOFT Live Virtual Class- September 2024
o Tuftex One Day Training- October 2024
o Betallic x Burton & Burton One Day Training- October 2024
o Balloon Boss Summit- November 2024
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The balloon industry is expected to experience several notable shifts and trends over the next 5 to 10 years, influenced by various factors including environmental concerns, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences.
There is a growing awareness of environmental issues, leading to increased demand for eco-friendly balloons. Manufacturers are likely to continue focusing on sustainable production processes to reduce the environmental impact. As the event industry (weddings, social gatherings, corporate events, etc.) rebounds post-pandemic, there has been a notable upsurge in demand for balloons seen by manufacturers and balloon business owners alike. This has created opportunity for manufacturers to create more products in a quicker timeframe but we expect to see the market level out in the next 3-5 years. This is expected to include a decline of small business ownership in the market if their internal business process’s and consumer relationships are not secured in time. The balloon business owners and artists are at the forefront of the industry- creating new trends and utilizing their social media influence to inspire the masses. Overall, I believe the balloon industry is poised for a dynamic future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elevatedimpressions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedimpressionsma/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briana-silvio-fpqp%E2%84%A2-a39a5434/
Image Credits
Kataram Studios
Maeghan Spurr Photography