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

Yadira, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear your thoughts about family businesses.

Yari Productions is a family business. It started out as an act of love to friends and family, and grew into an idea to provide our family with an opportunity to excel and succeed, together. What reinforced our motivation to start Yari Productions was the example we want to set for Bryson, Yari’s son, that family can come together and build. An example that we did not have when being raised by a hardworking single mother in the Bronx. Family businesses can be a great experience for everyone involved. They bring people together and give loved ones something to learn about together. Family businesses keep each member exploring and sharpening what their strengths are and how they can contribute to the business. However, it can be difficult to work with family, especially when someone’s weakness becomes a nuisance to a fellow family member/colleague. This can cause tension, but it requires everyone to have patience and talk things out with a clear mind that is ready to accept, understand and compromise. It is important to remember that everyone has the same goal and wants to do better to help one another. As much as possible, at Yari Productions, we help one another focus on the work that appeals to our strengths and lean on another where we may not be strong. There is a lot to learn from ourselves and other family members when running a business together. At the end of the day, everyone has good intentions, and we need each other to achieve a common goal to elevate ourselves together for future generations.

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

We are Yari Productions, a family-run balloon styling business for any event. At the heart of our company are three incredible women who make it all possible. Yari, sister and CEO, is not only a talented balloon stylist but also the driving force behind our artistic and professional vision. Janet, sister and COO, plays a crucial part in building effective systems that keep our business operations running smoothly. And Sonia, our incredible mom and CIO, who constantly surprises us with her innovative ideas and flawlessly executes projects that bring our vision to life.

What started as a labor of love for friends and family eventually blossomed into a full-fledged business fueled by passion and determination. One day, we asked ourselves, ‘Why not? Can we do this?’ and took the leap. Together, we have harnessed our individual strengths and transformed them into something truly beautiful that we can all be proud of.

For us, it’s not just about balloons; it’s about creating a magical experience for our clients. We believe in the power of celebration and the joy it brings. As a family-run business, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism and customer service. We treat each client as an extension of our family, ensuring that their dreams are turned into reality. We are fueled by the joy our balloons bring to people’s lives and the positive impact we make on their special moments.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One time, Yari Productions was booked for an outdoor event by a fellow event planner. The client had a specific color combination in mind, which required unique balloon colors and treatments. As a result, we had to put in a lot of effort to find the right colors and we ended up using a balloon brand that we had never worked with outdoors before. After numerous attempts, we finally achieved the desired colors. We tested out the new balloon brand over the next few days before the event to ensure stability. We made sure to inform the event planner about the accommodation and the uncertainty of using the new balloon brand.

The event took place outdoors in the middle of a scorching NYC summer. In the end, the setup was stunning and the colors perfectly complemented the decor. The client was thrilled with how everything turned out, and we were proud to have played a part in creating that moment. The event seemed to be going according to plan.

However, shortly after Yari, our balloon stylist, returned home and started to unwind with a glass of wine, she received an anxious call from the event planner. They were panicking, saying, “They’re popping! They’re popping! What do we do?” Yari immediately sprang into action and tried to help the event planner troubleshoot the issue. Despite their efforts, they were unable to resolve the problem. Without hesitation, Yari got back in her car and drove 35 minutes back to the location to redo the setup and fix what had come undone. Once again, the client was satisfied, and their gratitude towards the effective and efficient resolution was even greater. This experience served as a valuable lesson for everyone involved, highlighting the resilience required as a creative and a business owner. It reinforces the notion that there will be challenges and setbacks along the way, and even when things seem to be going smoothly, one must be adaptable and ready to take action.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is seeing the joy on our clients’ faces when they see the final product. It’s deeply fulfilling to know that their pictures will always be beautiful and that they can attribute the balloon setup to Yari Productions. We understand the importance of special celebrations and the lasting memories they create. The true reward lies in keeping our promise to bring beauty and wonder to their event. Each balloon setup we create is unique. Even if we incorporate similar color schemes, themes, or arrangements, the outcome will never be the same. This ensures that each client’s setup is tailored specifically to their event and their memories. At the end of the creative process, stepping back and admiring the work our hands have created brings immense pride. We can confidently say that we have delivered on our commitment to provide the best balloon setup for their event, leaving the client happy and satisfied.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: yariproductions