We were lucky to catch up with Brianna Salazar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brianna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
To me, success is about growth, support, and perseverance. When I started my business in 2020, I had no idea how far it would take me. As someone who’s always been shy and introverted, stepping into the vibrant and colorful world of balloon decor was completely outside of my comfort zone. But success, for me, has always been about embracing challenges and growing along the way.
One story that truly defines what success means to me is the moment I announced to my family that I wanted to start this business. From the very beginning, they were my greatest supporters. From my parents letting me borrow the SUV to transport supplies, my siblings helping me load up decorations, or my boyfriend (now husband) building backdrops to promote my work, they all rallied around me. Their belief in my vision gave me the courage to push forward, even when things felt uncertain.
Because of that unwavering support, I was soon decorating for graduations, birthday parties, and, by the end of my first year, even working with small businesses in my community. To me, success is less about the achievements themselves and more about the journey that it took to get me this point 4 years later into my business. Im truly grateful for my support system!
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.
My name is Brianna, and I’m a balloon stylist. I launched my business in July 2020, after spending a year decorating for family and friends. I decided to start my business at the height of the pandemic because I needed a creative outlet to express myself during such a chaotic time. It’s honestly something I never imagined would carry me through four years, especially as an introvert who tends to shy away from discomfort. But each year has been a pleasant surprise, showing me just how much I’ve accomplished. One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing how happy and excited my clients are when they see the finished result at their event. Whether it’s a big or small install, the best feedback I can get is hearing how much they love it and how their vision has come to life. That makes it all worth it!
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
I feel like the best source for new clients has been word of mouth and networking with new vendor friends. I have met so many vendors through various events like open houses and meet ups with similar creatives in the area. Most have become such good friends and have been so good about sharing my business with their clients and reaching out to me if a bride or client is needing something that they do not have but I do. These relationships have been key in helping my business grow and thrive. It’s truly the power of community that keeps me going.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One important lesson I had to unlearn was not saying yes to every inquiry that came my way. While I absolutely love creating balloon décor for every event, in the beginning, I said yes to every request. This quickly led to me feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of burnout. One time, I had booked a big event and received a last-minute request for a small booking. I hesitated but, feeling like I had to take it on, I said yes. There was a minor change during my first installation, which caused me to arrive late to the second install, where my client had been waiting for me to show up. This experience was a wake-up call. Then, I took a balloon class, and the instructor shared something that stuck with me: it’s okay to say no. Not every job is the right fit for you, and there are other talented balloon artists for a reason. The key is to collaborate, not compete. When you can’t take on a project yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to others. My favorite vendors are my balloon friends, and we truly have made our own community where we support each other and help when other artists need it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radiantballoondesigns.com
- Instagram: @radiantballoondesignstx
- Facebook: Radiant Balloon Designs
- Other: Tiktok: @radiantballoondesignstx
Image Credits
Monique Ann with @greenehousephoto