We were lucky to catch up with Jenny Ceron recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jenny , appreciate you joining us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers
A Vision Board Come True: The 60-Foot Balloon Installation
About a year ago, in early August 2024, a church reached out to us as they were about to celebrate their 42nd anniversary and unveil a new expansion. They wanted a massive balloon installation for the occasion. When I opened their email and saw the example they sent as inspiration, I was stunned—it was a photo I had placed on my vision board at the start of the year. It felt like fate telling me this project was meant for us.
We met with the church, and they wanted a balloon installation in a 60-foot-high glass building. Without hesitation, I said, “Yes, of course we can do it!” But afterward, I thought, “Wow, how are we actually going to pull this off?” I had no idea how we’d suspend balloons 60 feet up or ensure they’d last from Friday through Sunday. I spent that entire month waking up at night, worrying about every detail. We had to factor in weather conditions like rain or wind and make sure the balloons would remain perfect all weekend.
As the date approached, we started to figure things out. We rented an 80-foot lift, something we’d never used before, and my husband learned to operate it for the first time. It was a huge challenge, but we got extra help from other balloon professionals who joined us.
We spent about four days on the project: a full day inflating the smaller balloons, another day inflating the rest, and then a day and a half assembling the balloon walls. Finally, we installed everything from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. When we finished, we couldn’t believe it. We hugged each other, exhausted but incredibly happy that we had pulled it off.
That weekend, it rained, but the balloons stayed intact. The church loved the installation so much that they kept it up for the entire week. Despite all the rain, the balloons held strong until we took them down.
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.
I’m 29 years old, and I started this brand, Sweet Gifts, when I was 22. It began as an idea for delivering surprise breakfasts. At that time, I had just moved to the U.S. from Colombia—I’m Colombian—and my husband had already lived here for about 20 years. We met, got married, and I moved here to start this new chapter. I started working as a cashier in a restaurant because it was nearby and I didn’t have a car, but I always knew I didn’t want to work for anyone else. I knew I wanted my own business.
That’s how Sweet Gifts started—first with the idea of surprise breakfast deliveries. But as I looked into it, I realized working with food was complicated. That’s when balloons came into the picture because I’ve always loved balloons and decorations. I never imagined we’d grow this much since I didn’t know how big the event industry was—I just thought of it as little special details.
In the beginning, I was just admiring other local event planners who created these beautiful, elegant events, wondering if I’d ever get to work with them. Now, today, I actually work with all those people I used to look up to. It’s incredibly satisfying to realize that what you truly want in your heart can become reality if you work for it. Writing this out makes me remember the long journey we’ve had, with many ups and downs, but it’s all been worth it.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
For me, the key is communication and appreciation. I remind my team that there’s a lot of competition out there, so every client needs to feel like they are the most important part of our company—because they truly are. Thanks to our clients, we’re able to do what we love and provide work opportunities.
At the same time, we focus on creating a friendly environment where everyone feels valued. We hold regular meetings and share moments together, not only to strengthen our bond but also to create space to talk openly about what we can improve. There’s always room to grow, and when the team feels supported and respected, morale naturally stays high.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy has been word of mouth. Building genuine relationships with event planners and clients has allowed us to grow organically. By consistently delivering excellent quality, creating memorable experiences, and always prioritizing the client’s perspective, we’ve been able to build trust and loyalty—two things that naturally lead to referrals and long-term growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sweetgiftsdmv.com
- Instagram: @Sweetgiftsva
- Facebook: @Sweetgiftsva
