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

Hi Maalika, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned by watching. I started my journey with balloons on Youtube. I would search through various online balloon artists and study basic techniques. The need to evolve grew stronger, and this is when I knew that I would have to challenge myself deeper. I needed to be amongst my peers. Deciding to attend balloon conventions, gave me hands-on experience with some of the best balloon artists in the world. I sometimes wish that I would have attended conventions and conferences earlier on in my balloon journey, but being where I am now I am a strong believer that things happen when they are supposed to, not when we want them to.

Maalika, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello! I always say that I got into the event industry by default. From planning my own baby shower, to what will now be my daughter’s 13th birthday. I first started out as a full-service event planner. I provided everything from linen to fresh floral arrangements. In 2018 is where I really discovered that this was a true passion. I had a family member that wanted to celebrate her 50th Birthday and needed me to decorate. Once everything was in place she discovered that she didn’t have any balloons. The month before I tried my hands at a balloon table arch for my daughter’s 9th birthday, and was eager to try it again. I created her two balloon columns….. and I have not parted ways from balloons since.

The year 2020 is when I niched my company down to just balloons. The pandemic had set in and there was no such thing as events or people gathering without it being 100 rules just to tell someone happy birthday. LONG LIVE BALLOONS! Despite the world being on complete shutdown, people still wanted to celebrate SAFELY, and Balloons by Daintee was here to help. Balloon decor dropped off curbside was very popular and a necessity.

I am truly proud of how far I have come. Having companies such as Walmart, Amazon, and the Obama Foundation on my resume has truly been a dream come true. I have created a company that I love, and I paved the way every day striving for greatness.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a balloon artist is the ability to bring my clients’ visions to life. From the first initial consultation to the day of the event, I take pride in providing the best experience. I believe that this sets the tone for the client to return to you for future events, as I like to say be their “person”.

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

Social Media can be quite intimidating, especially to a creative. Seeing your peers who be doing things that you aspire to0 can play mind tricks on you and make you believe that you are not where you should be within your business. It makes you start to compare. This was something that I had to back away from FAST! NO TWO ARTISTS ARE THE SAME, and your journey is not the same as someone else. This was a reality check for me, and it didn’t take long for me to get the message. I too, beat myself up, because I felt that I was not moving fast enough. Understanding that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Things happen in divine order and unfold when the time is right.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dainteedollz.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/dainteedollz
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dainteedollz