We were lucky to catch up with Heather Riley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Absolutely! So, the idea for Make It Pop Balloon Company really came from a mix of personal circumstance, creative curiosity, and honestly—a need for connection.
I spent 12 years working as an insurance agent, and I genuinely loved the work. It was stable, meaningful, and I built great relationships. But everything shifted once I became a mom and started working more from home. While I was grateful for the flexibility, I began to feel isolated. I missed being around people, and I started to crave a creative outlet that felt more fulfilling.
As my kids grew, I started throwing them those classic “Pinterest-style” birthday parties—you know, the kind you stay up way too late planning and crafting for. I found myself pouring hours into the decorations, especially the main party displays—the kind of moments that create that “wow” factor and the perfect photo op. That became my favorite part, and I just lit up doing it.
Friends began to notice and started asking for help with their events. I quickly realized I didn’t enjoy all aspects of party planning—but I loved the creative challenge of balloon styling and décor. That’s where I really came alive. I became obsessed—in the best way. I started studying, practicing, watching every tutorial I could find. I wanted to create something better than the painful Amazon balloon kits that never quite worked. I wanted it to feel intentional, elevated, and joyful.
That’s when the lightbulb went off. I realized there was an opportunity to turn this passion into a business—and maybe even build a new kind of lifestyle for myself and my family. At that time, I had a preteen, a toddler, and a baby at home. I wasn’t aiming to build an empire—I was just hoping to earn a little extra income and maybe meet some new people along the way.
So I took the leap. I got my business license, joined a local networking group, and in July 2021, Make It Pop was born. People thought I was a little crazy for leaving a steady career to start a balloon décor company, but I believed there was something here. I wasn’t just creating pretty things—I was helping people celebrate milestones, create memories, and bring joy into their spaces.
By November 2022, with another baby in tow, I officially stepped away from insurance after 12 years and committed to my business full time. What started as a side project turned into something so much more meaningful. I get to be creative, flexible, and present with my kids—and I’ve built a business that brings people joy. It’s not just about balloons—it’s about creating moments that pop.
Heather, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m the owner and creative behind Make It Pop Balloon Company, where I specialize in Luxury Balloon Décor—with a friendly face. I create custom balloon installations that add a bold, joyful, and unforgettable touch to events of all kinds—birthdays, baby showers, grand openings, weddings, festivals, you name it.
My journey into this industry wasn’t a traditional one. I spent 12 years in the insurance world and really loved it, but after becoming a mom and working more from home, I started to feel disconnected and creatively unfulfilled. That changed when I began planning my kids’ birthday parties. I would dive headfirst into making these “Pinterest-perfect” celebrations, and I quickly realized I had a real passion—and a knack—for creating beautiful, eye-catching displays.
Friends started asking me to help with their events, and I discovered that what I loved most wasn’t full event planning, but the art and impact of the decor—especially those big “wow” moments that people love to photograph and remember. I started studying the craft, learning techniques, and investing in better materials—no more struggling with Amazon balloon kits! Before I knew it, I had launched Make It Pop in July 2021, with the simple goal of earning a little extra income and connecting with my community.
What sets me apart is that while my balloon work is high-end and customized to each client, the experience is never stiff or overly formal. I’m not a big company—I’m a one-woman show most days (with help for larger installs when needed), and that personal touch runs through everything I do. My clients don’t just get a luxury product—they get a streamlined, friendly experience from start to finish. Thanks to my background in insurance, I run my business with professionalism and clear processes—simple billing, easy communication, and no surprises. But when we meet, you’re also getting a bit of creative chaos, lots of laughs, and someone who genuinely cares about making your event extra special.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built through this work. Many of my clients have become repeat customers and even lifelong friends. That means the world to me. I’ve decorated baby showers and then, a year later, their child’s first birthday. Being invited into people’s milestone moments again and again is the highest compliment.
If you’re just discovering Make It Pop, here’s what I’d want you to know: This brand is about more than balloons. It’s about creating joyful, memorable moments that feel just as good as they look. Whether you’re planning a simple gathering or an over-the-top event, I’ll be there with a smile, a plan, and a bunch of balloons that will blow you away.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
If I’m being completely honest, one of the biggest things that helped me build a reputation in my market was joining local networking groups and really immersing myself in those communities. I didn’t just show up—I showed up with intention. I offered free décor to new businesses in the group and at community gatherings, not only to get my work in front of people but to build genuine relationships.
I’ve always believed that business is personal. There’s a quote I love by Joan Walsh Anglund that says, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That really became the heartbeat of how I approached building my business. It wasn’t just about balloons—it was about connection, kindness, and showing up for others.
People don’t always refer businesses—they refer people. I focused on making sure every client interaction, every networking event, every install left people feeling seen, supported, and excited. That kind of energy spreads. Before I knew it, I had built a reputation where five people were tagging me on community pages before I’d even seen the post. That’s when I realized—it wasn’t just the quality of my work that was building my business. It was the relationships behind it.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When I decided to start Make It Pop, I was still working full time in my previous career. That steady income allowed me to take a very low-risk, slow-build approach to funding the business. I ran everything out of my home in the beginning, which kept overhead extremely low. My initial investment was minimal—I bought a few sets of quality balloons, some props to showcase my offerings, paid the insurance and licensing fees and that was really it.
Once I started booking jobs, I made a conscious decision to reinvest every dollar back into the business. Whether it was upgrading materials, purchasing new tools, or building out my prop inventory, I continued that cycle for over a year before I ever pulled any actual income from the business. It was a very intentional choice.
I know I’m the exception in that I had the ability to build slowly and stay in the black from day one. But at the time, it was really important to me that if I ever needed to walk away—for family reasons or otherwise—it wouldn’t put any strain on our household finances. In a way, it became almost like a personal challenge: grow this thing sustainably, without debt, and let the business fund itself.
It’s definitely a slower path, but it allowed me to build a solid foundation, make smart purchases, and scale in a way that felt both natural and manageable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makeitpopballoonco.com
- Instagram: @makeitpopballoonco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makeitpopballoonco/
Image Credits
Pacific Mist Photography – Head shot
Mama Kat Photography – Bouncer in blue