Meet Nicole Riley | Party decorator & Teacher

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

Hi Nicole, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My initial thought process was I wanted something my mom and I could do and learn together during the COVID shut down. Even though we knew were not going to be able to sell and advertise like we wanted to, we thought it was best to practice and either make shirts, cups key chains or balloons for friends and close family. We noticed our hobby was one that others enjoyed and we sat down and began coming up with a name and business cards.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a 7th grade science teacher and coach. My mother is a high school teacher.
Everybody knows the phrase teacher’s don’t get paid enough. (Which is true lol) We don’t just work our contracted hours but many hours after that for our careers. When we first started this we only took jobs/ orders for holidays and summers. We didn’t know how to mix and mesh our two worlds into one.
It is not an easy process but it can be done to become easy. The one great thing about our business is we can choose our hours. as an educator you cherish your weekends for rest. But you can still run a business and get rest.
There was one instance that gave me a huge epiphany to why I chose to start this business. I had to make volleyball pink out shirts one day, making about 65 shirts. Super tiring and it made me think this is why we do orders over holiday. However once I finished, the girls loved them and parents got excited, I realized I do this because I enjoy it. At one point I did this more extra money and forgot why I started. I love creating, I love making people happy, I love working with my hands. I originally did this to have a hobby with my mom share something I love to do with somebody I love. I actually began doing thing on my own without my mom to find my passion and purpose again.
I have officially learned how to plan accordingly and say no or I’m unavailable. ( That was very difficult) I wanted to do everything for everybody and getting overwhelmed. It is ok to pass business else where to someone trustworthy. I’ve done it and clients either come back or the other business will pass clients to you.
I want the world to know that I don’t really do this for money anymore but because I enjoy it! Yes money is the factor but I focus more on growing business. I make everything affordable. Trust economy is terrible and I am the first to know but Why overcharge!?why be money hungry?!
Our brand is family, it’s equity, relatable, good quality, it’s God driven. Our story is still going but it’s only getting better from here.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We love Houston we are all foodies!
Ride scooters downtown, go to a place downtown called Immersive game box. We are pretty competitive and goofy. Another interactive place I love going to is called Activate. Multiple gamerooms bragging rights, why not!And also kid friendly!
For drinks and dancing we also go Midtown find a nice spot to chill and talk or dance the night away.
For any basketball lovers there is a full size court outside of the Toyota center.
Cidercade fulfills all of our millennial dreams with games from the ‘80s and 90’s.
Lastly the museum of Illusions is great for photo ops!

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?
There is actually numerous people and organizations I would like to shout out. Firstly I want to thank God for guiding us and overcoming all of the obstacles we’ve endured as my mother and I continued our path on this journey to success. I would like to thank the cheer organization Space City Sparks for letting me set up at their numerous mini camps. Dee and Ms. Jay event planners that I have worked for and for allowing our innovative creativity fly. My family and friends for trusting me to practice at their events. Lastly my boyfriend for getting all the content we need, helping with set up and pushing me to be the best version of myself that he knows I can be. Also by helping my mom with anything she needs as well if I am unavailable.
I know our journey doesn’t stop anytime soon. For anybody that allowed us to work your event trust it doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s something I cherish all the time!

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