We recently had the chance to connect with Esther Yao and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Esther, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
What is most misunderstood about my business is how labor-intensive and costly designing a balloon decor can be. Most customers believe that they are only paying for the cost of the balloons, but neglect to see the value behind design & labor.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Esther Yao, and I’m the owner of Grace and Glow Balloons. The idea behind Grace and Glow Balloons was birthed during Covid, when friends and family had to physically be distant. With drive-by parties being the predominant form of celebrations, balloons were the only form of decor that could be seen from afar. I love celebrations and wanted to liven up every gathering even when socially distancing. I love to see communities coming together. From birthday parties, to baby showers, or even larger events like Little League’s Opening Day and graduations, balloons can elevate every event into a magical gathering. What makes Grace and Glow Balloons special is that every design is customized to the client’s budget, space, and vision.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I believed that I was not very creative or artistic. I never liked to draw, and thought the only way to be creative was through drawing. However, I found my artistic outlet through designing balloons!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, during a setup time on the baseball field once, it started raining. The client had asked for helium balloons, but with raindrops coming down, none of the balloons would float. I texted the client and said I had to refund her, because I could not decorate the field with floppy balloons. But, an idea came to mind, and I gave up on the helium and on the field, decided to make clusters of balloons out of regular air, and tied them directly onto the fence. The last-minute change was a major breakthrough. The balloons were weather-resistant and had become my favorite way to liven up the baseball field ever since.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies that the industry tells itself is that labor is free.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! I believe in excellence in everything I do, and that includes my attitude and the quality that I perform & deliver, even if my clients do not praise me. It is what I owe myself, and my children, to perform at my best, always.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://graceandglowballoons.com/
- Instagram: @grace.and.glow.balloons
- Facebook: @graceglowballoons
