Today we’d like to introduce you to Ja’Net Wyatt.
Hi Ja’Net, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been a creative person my whole life including writing short stories and poems, creating comics strips, crafting, and drawing all before my teen years. I’m originally from Northern California and came to Los Angeles in hopes to pursue film directing. I got my degree in cinema and television arts and landed a job ION Media Networks (formerly PAX TV) as an assistant to sales account executives. It was fun in the beginning, but then it seems that I was not going anywhere. There was nothing creative about the job, just booking airtime for infomercials to our 20+ stations nationwide
So on my free time, I started browsing ways to start a business based on my station manager’s advice (who encouraged me to work for myself) on sites like Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC, and others. Her statement to me “You are too smart to be working for someone else”.
On side note, this was not the first time someone had told me this.
I stumbles across “the business of balloons” in 2010. I was like “WOW” what is this all about. From there, I started with screen printing (print on mylar balloons) “to be different” in hopes that would get me in the door. Failed.
Then I thought if I want to know more about balloons, I need to buy them. I came across this balloon store in Glendale that sold retail and wholesale to its customers. A clerk told me about classes they were having at the store and I signed up. It was a framing class. I was instantly hooked. It was INCREDIBLY FUN!! I started to attend more clases, took part in conventions (yes the balloon industry has conventions domestically and internationally), and did a lot of networking with other businesses.
Word of mouth, yelp, and social media propelled my business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
ABSOLUTELY!! It was a rollercoaster with more downs than ups. First off, I didn’t have a business plan and didn’t know anything about marketing. I would bring in samples at networking meetings and events in hopes someone would buy. That’s about it.
My business was part time since I already had another job. So making time was incredibly hard too.
My sales steadily climbed. So I wasn’t making whole lot of money at first. As long as I saw progress, I was satisfied and it propelled me to keep going.
I didn’t have loans, I used cash and credit cards, mounting up a lot of debt. It took years to get to my highest income ever that I paid off my student loan and credit card debts. WooHoo!!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in balloon decorations with minor artful twisting. I create symmetrical classic arches and columns, balloon centerpieces, intricate balloon bouquets, walls, some sculptures, and event set-ups at venues
I am known for my enthusiasm with balloons and desire to “surprise” my clients. So I don’t do “one thing” such as “organics” – which has been dominating the images online.
I am most proud of my “artistic progress” I heavily invest in my balloon skills to create other styles that consumers have never seen before
The biggest thing that sets me apart from my current competition is my diversity in balloon decorations. I really try to show customers that there is more to multi-size balloons on backdrops. These can be inforcopated elsewhere too such as in thematic short columns and statement designs
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Overall satisfying customers. Giving them that “wow” factor. I educate my clients about balloons too
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popballoons1
