Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jen Whitlock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Honestly, I think about this a lot—and while it’s tempting to say “I wish I had started sooner,” I truly believe I started on this entrepreneurial thing at the exact right time.

Wonderwall Backdrops was born out of a very specific moment in my life. I had spent years in a super traditional corporate marketing role, leading teams in the healthcare sector. Driving strategy and revenue… but something was missing. I craved creativity, connection, and the freedom to build something of my own. Starting Wonderwall wasn’t just about balloon arches or backdrop installs—it was about reclaiming joy and creating moments that matter.

It also happened at a time when I received a life-changing medical diagnosis (more on that below!). It was then that I decided to double down on my dream.

So– if I had started earlier, I don’t think I would have had the same clarity, confidence, or business savvy to really make it work. (I definitely wouldn’t have had the same motivation.) And if I had waited longer? I might’ve talked myself out of it entirely.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change the timing. My professional background gave me the skills to build a brand with intention, and my life experience gave me the resilience to handle the chaos of entrepreneurship. Wonderwall didn’t just happen—I was ready for it, and it was ready for me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey there, I’m Jen Whitlock—never Jenny, and rarely Jennifer— the backdrop stylist, balloon wrangler, and all-around creative guru behind Wonderwall Backdrops. I started this business with one idea, and thousands of silk flowers.

Before Wonderwall, I spent years in corporate marketing, which taught me everything I know about branding, storytelling, and creating experiences that resonate. I loved that side of my life, but I wanted something more.

I was always drawn to beautiful silk flowers, and how they could be utilized in different ways to create standout decor pieces. I realized my favorite part was the WOW moment—the moment people walk into a space and feel like they’ve stepped into something magical. I decided to take that spark and build a business around it.

At first, Wonderwall Backdrops started with one 8′ by 8′ backdrop. Just one breathtaking backdrop that was built by hand. Flower by flower. Thousands of them.

And then someone asked, “hey, can you add balloons to that backdrop?”

So I tried my hand at balloons. I used cheap balloons and a plastic balloon strip to fashion a sad, pathetic looking garland to attach to the backdrop. I hated that garland. I hated everything about balloons; they smelled bad, they hurt my fingers, they were pear-shaped, and they popped. Then I figured out the formula to success: use professional balloons, tie them correctly, don’t overinflate them, and invest in professional training.

It was then that my backdrops became besties with balloons.

At Wonderwall Backdrops, we specialize in hand-crafted backdrops and custom balloon installations (and something super big and BRIGHT that will launch soon!) that turn any space into a vibe, a mood, or a moment. Whether it’s a baby shower, birthday bash, prom, or a corporate brand activation, my job is to relieve you of your event decor stress, take your vision, and make it ‘extra’—in the best way possible.

What sets Wonderwall apart isn’t just the balloons, florals, or disco balls (although they are my love language). It’s the experience I deliver. I’m known for being easy to work with, wildly creative, and reliable—like, “text me the night before and I’ll still come through” reliable. Also, “my husband is out of town, and I can’t leave the kids… are you sure you don’t mind dropping this off to me at midnight?” reliable. I work with almost any budget, and my goal is always the same: to make people say, “This is even better than I imagined.”

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built—repeat clients who trust me with their biggest life moments and small businesses who invite me into their brand stories. And I’m dang proud of the fact that this isn’t just a side hustle— I hate that phrase!— it’s a growing, full-fledged business with big dreams, hot pink branding, and a disco ball or two.

What do I want people to know? That you deserve to enjoy your own event. That you don’t have to settle for boring. That you can create something beautiful, fun, and unforgettable. That you don’t have to sell a body part to make it happen. And that when you work with Wonderwall, you’re not just booking event decor—you’re saying goodbye to DIY and creating a memory.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

For me, resilience isn’t just part of my story—it’s the reason I do what I do.

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). It was unexpected, and it sent me reeling. I was juggling my career in marketing, raising my crazy boys, and managing all the day-to-day stuff we all handle—and then suddenly, I had to work this disease into my life. I was exhausted, scared, and trying to wrap my head around how to move forward.

But here’s what MS did for me: it forced me to get really clear about how I wanted to spend my energy, my time, and my creativity. I realized I needed an outlet— a positive distraction. I wanted to build something of my own—something joyful, bold, colorful, and meaningful. That’s where Wonderwall Backdrops came in.

Starting this business wasn’t just about backdrops, balloons, or even being wildly profitable. It was about reclaiming joy. About proving to myself that I could still create, thrive, and be the kind of mom, woman, and entrepreneur I wanted to be—even with a chronic illness. In spite of a chronic illness.

And the irony? I’ve never been more energized. Yes, I still have days where my body tries to slow me down, but I’ve also built a business that lets me tap into my creativity, connect with amazing people, and show the world what it looks like to do the hard things anyway.

So when I talk about resilience, it’s not just about bouncing back. It’s about building forward—deliberately, creatively, and with heart. I always refer to this diagnosis as an unexpected gift. MS changed my life, but it also gave me the push I needed to finally start living it fully.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is knowing that I make a difference in people’s lives.

Watching someone react to a design that I’ve built from scratch—something that used to live only in my head or a scribbled sketch on the back of a receipt that was floating around in my purse—and seeing it transform their space and their energy.

Reading a string of texts from a client, ending with, “I hope you know that your business puts smiles on kids’ faces and joy in their hearts. We are so grateful for your talents.”

Is there anything more fulfilling? Nope.

There’s this moment that happens at almost every install: the client walks in, pauses, and their face lights up. Or sometimes it’s a gasp. Other times, it’s a slow smile. But it’s always that moment of, “Wait… you did THIS!?” And that feeling never gets old.

It’s also immensely rewarding to do something that allows me to continue giving back to my community. Donating time, resources, or money has always been an important part of my life. With Wonderwall— even though I’m not profitable yet— I have made it even more of a priority. Maybe I’m in the minority, but I believe that everyone should have a commitment to service and taking care of one another. Wonderwall gives me the platform to make this happen; I raise money for non-profits and deliver balloon decor for their fundraisers throughout the year. Yes, I’m building a business, but I’m also building something that lifts people up.

I think the real magic of what I do is rooted in connection. Someone reaches out to me, and I take that milestone that they’re celebrating—a birthday, a baby shower, a launch party, a school celebration—and I help them feel the moment in a new way. I create something they’ll take photos in front of, celebrate under, and remember long after the last balloon has popped.

It’s not lost on me the level of trust that my clients have put in me; it’s an honor to be brought into this part of their world. As a creative, there’s no better feeling than knowing your work brought a sense of ‘wow,’ joy, or wonder into someone’s life. (BTW, that’s where the ‘Wonder’ in Wonderwall comes from.) That’s why I do this. That’s what keeps me showing up with new ideas, new colors, and bigger dreams—balloons in one hand, disco ball in the other—ready to turn the everyday into unforgettable. Because in the end, it’s not just balloons or backdrops. It’s joy. It’s magic. It’s Wonder.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wonderwallbackdrops.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderwallbackdrops/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WonderwallBackdrops/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wonderwall-backdrops-severna-park