We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sheila Fluker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sheila below.

Hi Sheila, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My Story: The Birth of The Balloon Squad

After my second tour in Iraq, I faced one of the toughest battles of my life—recovering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. My military career came to an unexpected end due to a medical discharge, and I struggled to find my purpose outside of service. In my search for healing, I came across a balloon certification course in Florida. I didn’t take the class with the intention of starting a business; I simply needed therapy, something to bring me peace.

As I immersed myself in the world of balloons, I found joy in the creativity, the colors, and the ability to bring something beautiful to life. I started sharing my work, and before I knew it, people wanted to buy from me. Orders started coming in, and what began as a form of personal healing quickly turned into something much bigger.

At the time, my husband had a stable government job, but when a furlough happened, we realized how fast my balloon business was growing. He never went back to his job—we went all in, full-time, and haven’t looked back since.

Our Mission
At The Balloon Squad, our mission is simple: to bring joy, create unforgettable moments, and remind people that even in their hardest times, there’s still something to smile about. Balloons are more than decorations; they are a symbol of happiness, love, and celebration. I know firsthand what it feels like to battle invisible struggles, and I also know the power of a simple smile. Through The Balloon Squad, I aim to spread joy, not just with balloons, but with the energy, care, and passion we pour into every creation.

You never know what someone is going through, but a little bit of happiness can go a long way. That’s what I stand for, and that’s what keeps me going every single day.

Sheila, 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?

I’m Sheila Fluker, a two-time combat veteran, business owner, and entrepreneur dedicated to creating opportunities for others while bringing joy to people’s lives. After my second tour in Iraq, I was medically discharged due to injuries and struggled with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. In my search for healing, I discovered a balloon certification program in Florida. Initially, I took the course for therapeutic reasons, never intending to start a business. But once I started creating balloon designs and sharing my work, people began placing orders. What started as a personal journey soon turned into a thriving business, and when my husband’s government job experienced a furlough, we made the decision to go all in. Since then, The Balloon Squad has grown into a successful brand, delivering high-quality balloon decor to corporate events, grand openings, and celebrations.

What We Do & The Problems We Solve
At The Balloon Squad, we specialize in providing luxury balloon decor for businesses, corporate events, and private celebrations. Our goal is to help businesses create unforgettable experiences, attract customers, and elevate their brand presence through eye-catching balloon displays. Whether it’s a grand opening, a brand activation, or a corporate holiday party, we transform spaces with creative, high-impact balloon arrangements that leave lasting impressions.

We also have a retail store where customers can place small pickup orders, making it easy for anyone to add a touch of celebration to their event. Whether it’s a simple balloon bouquet or a large-scale installation, we provide options that fit any budget, because we believe that everyone deserves to experience joy, no matter their price point.

Beyond balloon decor, I also coach and mentor aspiring balloon artists and business owners. I teach them how to turn their creativity into profitable businesses by leveraging business credit, scaling their operations, and securing high-end clients. My mentorship program helps entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses without relying on personal savings, giving them the freedom to grow without financial strain.

What Sets Me Apart
What makes me different is that my business is not just about balloons—it’s about empowerment, transformation, and impact. I know what it’s like to start from scratch, to navigate hardships, and to build something meaningful out of passion. My background in business, leadership, and military service has shaped my disciplined, strategic, and results-driven approach to both balloon decor and business coaching. Unlike many others in the industry, I don’t just sell balloon arrangements—I create experiences, mentor business owners, and provide practical, profitable strategies that lead to long-term success.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the fact that I’ve been able to build a business that not only supports my family but also helps other entrepreneurs create financial independence. I’ve successfully opened three locations of The Balloon Squad using my business credit strategy, and I’ve helped many other entrepreneurs do the same. Additionally, my balloon mentorship program gives aspiring balloon artists the tools they need to start and grow their businesses with confidence.

What I Want People to Know About Me & My Brand
The Balloon Squad is more than balloons—it’s about making people smile. You never know what someone is going through, and sometimes, a beautiful, vibrant balloon arrangement can be the joy they need in that moment.
I’m passionate about helping business owners succeed. Through my coaching programs, I teach entrepreneurs how to start and scale profitable businesses without using personal funds.

I believe in financial freedom and generational wealth. Everything I do—whether it’s balloon decor, business coaching, or mentorship—is centered around helping others achieve financial independence and success.
We offer options for any budget. Whether you need a small pickup order from our retail store or a large-scale custom balloon installation, we provide solutions that fit different needs without compromising on quality.
I love building community. My ‘Minding My Own Damn Business’ community is designed to help female entrepreneurs grow, scale, and support one another as they work toward six-figure success.
At the end of the day, my work is about spreading joy, creating opportunities, and helping others achieve financial success. Whether I’m designing balloons for a corporate event, teaching a class, or mentoring new business owners, my mission is to make a lasting impact.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

Overcoming Struggles in Business
Entrepreneurship is never a straight path—it’s full of highs, lows, and hard lessons. One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced was learning how to price my services correctly while managing the financial responsibilities that came with running a business and supporting my family.

One moment that really tested me was when my sister, who was going through a divorce in Texas, needed a fresh start. I believed in my business so much that I convinced her to move to South Carolina, promising to take care of her bills while she got back on her feet. At the time, business was booming, but I wasn’t pricing my services properly, and I didn’t have a full grasp on managing cash flow. I was working hard, but the numbers weren’t adding up.

One month, I found myself in a tough spot—I didn’t make enough to cover everything, and the hardest part was not being able to pay my sister’s car note. It got repossessed, and that moment hit me hard. I felt like I had let her down, even though I was doing everything I could to build something great. That experience taught me a valuable lesson: working hard isn’t enough—working smart is what truly sustains a business. I had to reevaluate my pricing, learn how to structure my finances better, and make sure my business could support not just my vision, but the people who believed in me.

Today, I’m happy to say my sister has a brand-new car that her husband bought her, and I’ve grown tremendously in how I run my business. I’ve learned that struggles are part of the journey, but they also force you to level up. Now, I teach other entrepreneurs how to price correctly, manage business finances, and avoid the same mistakes I made. Because no one should have to work that hard and still come up short.

At the end of the day, those tough moments shaped me into the businesswoman I am today. I don’t just run a balloon business—I run a business that is profitable, sustainable, and built on real experience. I want other business owners to know that struggles don’t mean failure. They are lessons that push you to grow, and when you push through, success is always on the other side. 💪🏽

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

For the longest time, I believed that if I just worked hard enough, success would follow. Hustle, grind, repeat—that was my mindset. But let me tell you, hard work without smart strategy will have you working like a broke millionaire—busy, exhausted, and still struggling to make ends meet.

Back when I started The Balloon Squad, I was doing everything—early mornings, late nights, non-stop balloon orders—but my bank account wasn’t reflecting my effort. Why? Because I was underpricing, overworking, and running on fumes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theballoonsquad.com
• Instagram: the_balloon_squad
• Facebook: Sheila Fluker
• Linkedin: Sheila Fluker