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

Hi Jodie , thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I recently experienced a major life change as my last child went to school full time. What was I going to do? How was I going to justify not having a “real job”….. Justify not having a “real job”. This was the real dilemma. A real job created boundaries I wasn’t sure I could be happy with, a schedule I wouldn’t be able to manipulate, tasks that would become mundane and draining. My brain works differently than most people, I make things happen in different ways, I see things differently, my ideas are unconventional and my passion to create seems to seep through every task I take on. How could I find the right “real job”

This dilemma, as most things do, organically rectified itself as I embraced my newest endeavor, balloon decor. Now that I have found a way to use my creativity in a way that effectively checks off all the boxes and constitutes as a ” real job” I feel like I have more opportunities that I ever imagined.

I realize people have real jobs that are less than fulfilling, real jobs that sustain their lives, real jobs out of necessity. I realize am beyond blessed to have a husband that sacrifices for my benefit, children that embrace my creative whims and an education which helped foster my natural creativity.

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

My need to create has always been undeniable. I have dabbled in many art forms from photography, furniture upcycling, stained glass, interior design and so many more, but there is only so much one can create before they run out of space for their creations, or their family and friends grow tired of the “gifts”.

I never considered balloons a medium for artistic creativity. This was definitely not a subject covered in any of my art classes in college. I quickly realized that balloons were simply a piece of mixed media that allowed me to create with a new subject matter and potentially become a way to earn a living with my artistic style.

I feel my unique style sets my work apart from many and goes beyond balloon decor. I strive to offer my clients a design that blows them away. When my clients provide me with their theme and allow creative freedom, the result is a piece of work that goes beyond latex and mylar. Stepping back from a piece I’m working on to take in the composition, the lines and spaces and how they all work together to create a cohesive design is such a rewarding experience. It fulfills the need inside me to create.

I have four kids and started playing around with balloons for their birthdays. Shortly into the pandemic I decided to post an ad on marketplace for balloon garlands. Before I knew what was happening or had any sort of business plan, I was getting inquiries. I quickly found that this was going to be more than just a side hustle.

It’s been almost two years since that original post, Popping Party and Events has become a family endeavor and grown to offering so many designs beyond balloon garlands including centerpieces, marquees, backdrops and just about any balloon need you can throw at me. My children help with everything from design, delivery and installation to popping and picking up balloons. My husband has built a ridiculous number of pieces for my designs, followed me around town with bags of balloons in tow and given in to the fact that his mancave is actually an extension of my in home studio.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Side hustle or business??When I started this journey, I didn’t intend on starting a business. I expected to do some balloon garlands on the side and go back to my regular part time job as cheerleading coordinator for a local youth program providing affordable sports opportunities across the midwest .

Instead, I had to quickly get my social media in place, figure out my business approach and I find a way to juggle family/ business life. Finding the right mindset as a business as opposed to a side hustle was a big obstacle for me. I have always tried to use my creativity as a source of income but never embarked on a specific craft that fit in well with my lifestyle for long term development.

I was reminded by a fellow entrepreneur that my clients and fellow vendors whom I work alongside consider Popping Party and Events as a legitimate business, and I needed to as well. Distinguishing myself and my craft as a business was a process I had to reevaluate and embrace.

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

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” -Albert Einstein

I love taking raw, old, new, unconventional materials and giving them new life, the opportunity to manipulate everyday things into something new and different. Sharing creativity and fostering it in my children is one of the most rewarding opportunities of my life. As a society we are directed to live, think, problem solve in very formulated ways, creativity allows a freedom that is hard to accomplish in any other way. A safe place for creativity and fostering that in others creates freedom to expand your world beyond directives.

Likewise, sharing my creativity with my clients has provided an extended opportunity to enhance their lives through celebration. Creating a design for a client and seeing their utter astonishment and excitement is such a rewarding aspect of my craft.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.poppinpartyballoons.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poppingpartyandevents/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poppingpartyandevents
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/popping-party-and-events-overland-park
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Jenny Jolly Photography