Meet Megan Martinez | Balloon Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My husband gave me the push quite honestly. I was hesitant because it’s such a huge leap of faith to put your work out there for people to judge. We went back and forth for months on whether I should start up my business and he gave me the courage to take the leap and I am so grateful I did! I Love to create and with balloons you can do just about anything. I started out doing balloons setups for my two boys and posted pictures for just my friends and family to see and it was such a huge hit. I received messages left and right from people wanting me to do balloons for them as well and it grew from there. I created my buisness and loved it. I wish I could go back and tell myself that no matter what you do in life people will always judge you so don’t let that stop you from going after your dreams.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started about 7 years ago. Just doing party setups for my 2 boys. I posted my pictures on my personal Facebook and one after another friends and family wanted me to do their parties. I did a couple of setups and they all loved it. But when it came to starting an actual buisness I coward. I was to afraid of the judgement and criticism I would get. I didn’t know the first thing about how to price people or how to talk to anyone on a professional level. I had so much self dought it was crippling at times. But my husband had a different view. He saw something in me and my work that I just couldn’t see. He saw the beauty in it and he encouraged and argued(he didn’t see failure he saw the talent) with me on just how talented I was. So it took some convincing for sure lots of prayers and worries but I decided to take the leap of faith and that’s how my business was born. It definitely was not easy by no means. I learned from the bottom up what all comes with starting your own business. Financially it was draining at first I put a lot of my own money into it buying inventory and not really knowing how to price point my work. Always self conscious about my work. Didn’t know if I did the right thing and if I failed then I just wanted all that money for nothing . But as the years went by it became easier and I gained a lot of confidence in my self and my work. Things we’re taking off and I was loving it. Now about 6 years went by and I was doing amazing lots of clients lots of booking and I thought I really made it. But it all came crashing down when I became Ill. Completely side railed me. My illness took over and I was having uncontrollable seizures and fainting out of no where. Went to see doctor after doctor neurologist after neurologist and no one could figure out what was going on. Spent so much times praying and just in tears cause I felt like I failed. So I had to shut everything down. I wasn’t able to drive much less stand for a long period of time. And it devastated me. I had worked so hard to build my business up and this was completely out of my control. I felt I let my clients down and my family as well. So I battled my sickness for about a year and till this day I have no idea what was wrong with me. But eventually everything kind of just stopped. I started regaining my strength and I was finally getting back to myself again. About 2 years later I started up doing balloons again for a few family members and friends and I was so happy to just be able to dip back into the decorating pool again. But I got an itch to start back up professionally again about 1 year later and I am so happy that I did because I absolutely love what I do. Now I lost a lot of clients but I’ve gained so many new ones. I have felt like giving up so many times because of just how hard it’s been to get my name back out there. There are so many talented balloon artists out there to choose from. So I am extremely grateful when you look at my work and choose me. I add so much love and time to each setup and no matter what inspiration picture the client sends me I always add so much more to it. My setups are meant to be a wow factor at a party and I truly believe they are just that. I want the world to know just how much I love creating and if you have an inkling of something you want to go for then don’t let fear get in the way. We all have one life to live and if your heart is leading you to do something then go for it. It’s extremely scary and it’s definitely not going to be easy but what if your “what if” becomes a huge success?

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you were to visit Houston I would definitely suggest visiting the Houston Zoo my family loves the zoo. Also I’d say check out Nasa space center. The Museums are really neat to explore as well.
The bodies Museum is really cool.
As far as good eats #1 taco stand El Taco Nazo. If your craving Mexican street tacos! The best!!
We love Salt Grass for a great steak and it’s not so hard on the wallet.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband and 2 boys. They are what push me to continue practicing my craft and to not let others dictate how I succeed or see my work. They are my life line and they encourage me everyday to keep going. And I want my boys to see that dreams don’t come easy and they are truly my support system.

Instagram: megans_poptacular_balloons

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganspoptacularballoons/

Other: https://www.facebook.com/megan.medina.33 Megan Martinez- personal page