We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Oscar Baker Lery Massey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Oscar Baker thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk that we both took was leaving our full time jobs. Me, Oscar, I was working at Apple as an AT HOME SENIOR TECH ADVISOR. and I was making great money. it was actually the best money I had earned up to that point as far as corporate America, and it came with great benefits. I had been there 4 years exactly when I finally left. I left on my 4 year anniversary. I just felt like I needed to get out then, or I never would. when working there, I was always using PTO and other types of time off, so that I could go decorate at different events. or I would take my lunch break and run and do something for the business.

when I knew I had to really leave is when I was waking up with an attitude, because apple really wasn’t my passion. I would just wake up and be in a foul mood. now I was never rude with a customer because of this, but I just was no longer giving it my all. and people always say that you can hear a smile through the phone. so I know my customers and advisors underneath me could tell the change of tone in my voice.

so before I did anything to jeopardize my job and my integrity I just had to get out. I didn’t want to leave on a bad term, because you never know if for some reason I may have to go back. so I just sat down and let my supervisor know that this wasn’t what I wanted to do right now. and she understood because I was always sharing in the team meetings pictures from set ups and events that I was doing at the time.

with that being said, leaving that job meant I was no longer going to have a consistent pay check every 2 weeks. I would really have to hustle, to pay mortgage and other bills.

but no Lie, as soon as I left that job, more opportunities just immediately started happening for us as far as the business. so I have now been working for myself full time for 2 years. and I have literally doubled the money I was making at apple, and I am doing what I love on a daily and on my terms. and we continuously are being given more and more opportunities.

As far as me, Lery. I had been doing pediatric dentistry for 10 years. and I loved my co workers, boss, and the patients. but my heart just wasn’t in anymore. I wanted to decorate full time. so I left, and like Oscar said doors just continue to be opened for us. my story isn’t as dramatic as Oscar because I truly loved what I did, but its just not what I ultimately wanted to do.

but it was the best risk we both have ever taken.

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

We met in 2009 through a mutual friend. Instantly we realized that we both had an interest in decorating . Thereafter we joined forces and started working on interior designs together for friends and family.

After 2 short years of doing interior decorating, we ventured off into party planning and decorating; Still doing that for friends and family and now even employers. We did this for many years and eventually started getting new customers.

In July 2017 we decided to put an official name to the business; that’s where Lou and Lee Events And Designs was birthed. We came up with the name because Oscar’s middle name is Louis, so we shortened it, and Lery’s middle name is Lee. And the motto is REAL MEN DECORATE. We are breaking the stereotypes of what people think male event designers are or should be.

Today we have become a household name because of our ability to create out of this world balloon displays . With that , we have traveled across the U.S. to teach balloon workshops. On top of that we still decorate events locally in ATLANTA and just as frequent in Florida . As well working on tv and film.

With having taught over 200 students so far on balloon workshop tour., we have gained a loyal following, and we called our followers THE BOW TIE CREW. we are now gearing up for our 2nd very own balloon convention. It’s called THE BOW TIE BALLOON CONVENTION which will be held on June 22nd, 23rd, and 24th in ATLANTA, Ga.

This is just the beginning for us. Lou And Lee, we are here to stay!!!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being an artistic or creative is that there is no right or wrong way. its all about perspective and interpretation . we like to do things that most people don’t or can’t do, but if something doesn’t seem all the way right. most of the time its intentional because its abstract. so there are no rules. we just create, and let the people have It as is. and upto this point, we have only had positive feedback. its kind of hard to get negative feedback on something that’s groundbreaking or fresh, because its not really much to compare it to.

Now, no we are not the first to create things on this scale, so that’s not what we are saying at all. but there are very few balloon artist who know how to do things on this level. so its just something new. so instead of comparing us, people normally just take it for what it is, and absorb it!

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

To be honest our audience came pretty easily. like it built itself. and we think this is why. there aren’t many men in the balloon and event planning industry. its no secret that women dominate this industry as far as numbers. and when it comes to the men aspect, there are even fewer black men in the industry, so we kind of just stick out in the best way possible.

its something that you don’t see a lot. so I think that in itself intrigues people. but not only that, I think its our laid back and chill personalities, and people can really just connect with us, and be like man, these guys are really down to earth . and not to mention our work attire. every single set up that we have done, and that we post, we make sure that our company logo shirts match the theme of the party. and people really noticed that and love it.

and when we make a post, that doesn’t show our faces , we get asked, like ummmmm did y’all where the shirts today? or what color are the shirts today? so it really is something that they recognize and look forward to . and it help us to stand out.

and the advice that we would give to any one new, is just be intentional about whatever you’re posting. don’t just post for quantity , it really needs to be quality . people take you more serious, when everything you’re posting truly represents your brand. and keep personal persona, and keep business business. we don’t post anything personal on our business social media. thats not what we are selling. so just keep your page focused on the product or brand that you are selling.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LouAndLee.net
• Instagram: LouAndLeeEventsAndDesigns
• Facebook: LouAndLeeEventAndDesigns
• Other: TikTok @ LouAndLeeEvents