We recently connected with Danielle Lopez and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

One of the ways POParazzi Parties stands out from the industry standard is by providing free decor mockups, even before clients book with us. Most people are visual, and being able to see a customized design before committing makes all the difference.

This approach helps in several ways. First, it gives clients confidence in their decision by showing exactly what their setup will look like, eliminating any guesswork. It also sets clear, realistic expectations, so there are no surprises on event day. Plus, from a business perspective, it helps us book more events because clients fall in love with their designs before they even sign on the dotted line!

A perfect example of this was a recent baby shower client who was torn between a few different decor styles. Once she saw her options in a detailed mockup, she not only booked on the spot but also added extra elements she hadn’t originally considered, because she could see how stunning the full setup would be.

By prioritizing transparency and visualization, we make the planning process smoother, more exciting, and stress-free for our clients. It’s just one of the ways we bring joy to every celebration!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Danielle Lopez, the founder of POParazzi Parties, and my journey into the world of balloon artistry and event design is deeply personal. After a career in corporate tech, I was laid off while battling breast cancer, a moment that made me reflect on what truly brought me joy. I realized my passion was in celebrating life’s moments, big and small, and creating experiences that bring people together. That’s how POParazzi Parties was born!

We specialize in luxury balloon decor and event styling, transforming ordinary spaces into unforgettable celebrations. Whether it’s an intimate baby shower, a corporate gala, a school fundraiser, or a child’s birthday party, we create custom balloon installations, themed backdrops, and immersive decor tailored to each client’s vision.

One of the biggest things that makes us different is our free decor mockups, even before booking! Most people are visual, and seeing their personalized design ahead of time gives them confidence in their decisions, sets realistic expectations, and often inspires them to enhance their vision. It’s a game-changer in an industry where most vendors don’t provide this service or charge extra for it.

Planning an event can be overwhelming, especially when trying to visualize how it will all come together. Clients often struggle with knowing what will look best for their space, what fits within their budget, and how to ensure their decor aligns with their theme. That’s where we come in! Our mockups, creative expertise, and hands-on approach take the guesswork out of the process, so our clients can simply enjoy their event. We don’t just drop off balloons, we craft meaningful, show-stopping displays that leave lasting impressions.

Beyond building a business I love, I’m incredibly proud of how POParazzi Parties allows me to give back. As a breast cancer survivor, I use my platform to raise awareness and support causes close to my heart, like donating balloon displays to medical centers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I also love collaborating with schools and nonprofits to help bring their events to life.

POParazzi Parties isn’t just about balloons, it’s about celebration, connection, and joy. Whether you’re marking a milestone, hosting a corporate event, or simply making a moment extra special, we’re here to turn your vision into reality with creativity, heart, and a touch of fun. If you’re looking for stunning balloon decor with a personalized touch, I’d love to help make your next event unforgettable!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Absolutely! There are a few game-changing resources I wish I had discovered earlier in my creative journey—Square, Canva, and Trello have been essential in streamlining my business operations and making my workflow more efficient.

Square has been a lifesaver for invoice management and payment processing. It allows me to send professional invoices, track payments, and keep everything organized in one place. Before using Square, I was manually tracking payments, which was time-consuming and prone to errors. Now, it’s seamless, and my clients appreciate the ease of making secure payments online.

Canva has completely transformed the way I present designs to clients. Creating free, detailed mockups before booking is something that sets POParazzi Parties apart, and Canva makes that process effortless. It allows me to quickly design and tweak balloon setups, giving clients a clear vision of what their event decor will look like. Being able to customize colors, layouts, and themes visually has made decision-making so much easier for clients, which ultimately helps me book more jobs.

Trello has been a game-changer for managing my workload and staying organized. As a small business owner juggling multiple events at once, I needed a way to track orders, deadlines, and client requests without getting overwhelmed. Trello helps me break everything down into manageable tasks, assign deadlines, and ensure no detail gets overlooked. Whether it’s tracking upcoming events, managing supplies, or collaborating on large-scale installations, it keeps everything running smoothly.

If I had known about these tools earlier, I could have saved myself a lot of stress and time! They’ve allowed me to focus more on the creative side of my business while keeping operations efficient and professional.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

For over 20 years, I built a career in the corporate world, working in product management and software development for various startups. I climbed the ranks to VP, leading teams, launching products, and driving innovation. It was a fast-paced, challenging career that I loved, but life had other plans.

In 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and everything changed. Suddenly, the long hours, high-pressure deadlines, and constant grind didn’t feel as important as they once had. Facing something as life-altering as cancer forced me to reevaluate what truly mattered, joy, connection, and celebrating life’s moments.

After my treatment, I was laid off from my corporate job, which, instead of being a setback, became an unexpected opportunity to pivot. I had always loved planning parties and creating beautiful experiences, and I decided to turn that passion into something real. That’s how POParazzi Parties was born.

What started as a creative outlet quickly became a full-fledged business, bringing people together and making their celebrations unforgettable. Instead of building software, I was now building joy, crafting experiences that make people smile. And unlike the corporate world, where results were often intangible, here, I could immediately see the impact of my work, the excitement on a child’s face, the awe of a bride-to-be, the gratitude of a client who finally felt their vision come to life.

Pivoting from tech executive to balloon artist may seem like an unlikely leap, but for me, it was the perfect shift. I went from chasing success to creating happiness, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.poparazziparties.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poparazzi.parties
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POParazziParti/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PoparazziParties
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/poparazzi-parties-wellington

Image Credits

POParazzi Parties