We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jesus Henriquez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jesus thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Starting a business is a constant learning process in life! Because you learn both personally and professionally! You have to be consistent in your business! Sometimes we want to get a job and quit our ventures! It’s normal to think like that! But when you really want to do it and love what you do, you have to fight until the end. In the balloon world, it is a very competitive industry: Not many value the work it takes behind the preparation for an event. Some balloon designers’ low ball themselves to win a sale. It can be crucial on for the ones who actually invested on the craft to be at a certain level with balloon art. Within the 4 years dedicated with my balloon business. I can say this year was the slowest. I would have up to 3-4 events on a Saturday now this summer was with 1-2 events or some weekends none. I can say this year really affected me on to the moment I want to drop the towel and close my business. I don’t lose faith during the downfall I dedicate in coming up with new marketing strategies, create content new balloon techniques or give 1:1 class session. I believe the downfall is the reason people don’t value the art of balloons. To create a balloon display it requires time preparation, planning and designing, using high quality material and most of all technique.

Jesus , 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?

My name is Jesus Henriquez, I am 37 years old, Venezuelan nationality, I live in El Paso, Texas! I came to the United States 8 years ago, and started my journey in Miami, Florida, then I moved to Atlanta, Georgia worked as housekeeping and then I moved to El Paso, TX in early of 2020 to work as a housekeeper for a hotel then until the pandemic made an impact. My passion for balloons started as a hobby! Then saw I can turn it into a business. When the 2020 pandemic started, my business grew abruptly! And I began to dedicate myself 100% to my business, I made the investments in trying balloon master classes, got my degree for Professional Balloon Designer at the Insititute of Deco Lovers in Miami Florida. With balloons you can do anything what you can think of; anything is possible with balloons you’ll be amazed for all special occasions such as birthdays, baptisms, weddings, anniversaries! divorce parties or corporate events. I also do balloon twisting or balloon distortion to make art pieces to make balloon bouquets or to add the special balloon art on the decorations. Not also with balloons I work with floral. My Instagram: @balloonsve.ga has been the most complex platform in my business! The followers that have been obtained have been totally organic that’s with creating content and engaging with my followers. I have gained lots of loyal clients through time by my performance with balloons. I will continue with my passion with balloons forever.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I started with my social networks, i did it in a very ” aesthetic” way, that is, i always only showed my work and creations, but then i realized that showing my personality and essence was the best way to connect with people, especially with clients, since when they see who the person behind the decorations it is gives them more confidence and security.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think that being genuine, original and showing ourselves as we are one of the secrets to being an artist and creative, taking training and being in constant learning to improve what we do,

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @balloonsve.ga
• Facebook: Balloonsve Decorations El Paso Tx
• Other: tiktok:: @balloonsve_
  Google Business: BalloonsVE LLC

Image Credits

All photographs provided in this application were taken by me with my cell phone,