Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Lori Bousman of Costa Mesa

We recently had the chance to connect with Lori Bousman and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Lori, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning from my kids. They are constantly teaching me how to slow down and be more patient, how to see situations with empathy, and how to think creatively when challenges come up. Parenting is its own kind of classroom, and every day they show me new ways to grow into a better version of myself.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Meet Me- Lori: A creative single mom of two littles (7 and 5).
– 🎈 Celebrating 9 years of running my own event and balloon décor company!
– 🎓 Degree in graphic design, marketing, and advertising from Flagler College, FL.
– 👩‍🎨 Previous roles as Visual Merchandising Director for Bedrosians Tile & Stone and Urban Decay Cosmetics. First job was at Quiksilver headquarters in HB as a graphic designer in visual department.
– 🌊 Love the outdoors, natural light and beach life; passionate about creating beautiful celebrations.
– 👒Hat Obsessed and accessory lover.
– ✨Believe in supporting people through actions/kindness/teaching & Honesty.
– 🎉 My mission: Celebrate joy and achievements through stunning events!
– 💖 Let’s make your next party magical!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents taught me the most about work. They were both entrepreneurs, so I grew up watching them build their careers on passion and discipline. My mom was a landscape designer, and she showed me the importance of creativity, detail, and building beauty from nothing. My dad worked in tax and financial accounting, but he also had a deep love for music and vintage pieces. From him, I learned balance—how you can be grounded in your work while still nurturing the things that light you up. Their example taught me that meaningful work comes from dedication, curiosity, and staying true to who you are.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was losing my dad. That loss changed me. I’ve healed by actively keeping his memory close—carrying his lessons, his work ethic, and his values into my life and career. In many ways, honoring him through the way I move forward has been its own form of healing.
Another significant wound came from a traumatic, chaotic period at a corporate job. It shook my confidence and sense of stability. Healing from that meant rebuilding myself from the inside out—reclaiming my worth, learning what environments I would no longer tolerate, and channeling that pain into creating something of my own that no one could take away from me. That experience ultimately fueled my passion and independence.
And finally, my divorce was a deep emotional wound. The shame, the grief, the self-reflection—it was a hard unraveling. I’ve healed by learning to communicate better, to understand myself more honestly, and to show up with more empathy as a partner, friend, and person. It taught me to love more gently and to choose myself with intention.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. The public version of me is real—it reflects my values, how I treat people, and the way I show up with confidence and care. But it’s also the composed, polished version of me. It’s the woman who knows how to handle herself, hold space, and get things done.
Then there’s the chaotic mom side—the side that’s juggling a million things at once, sometimes frazzled, sometimes messy, sometimes laughing at the chaos rather than fighting it. That side isn’t always visible, but it’s as real as the rest of me.

But there’s also the after-hours me—the one who lets her hair down. On evenings and weekends, I loosen up, laugh louder, dance more, get playful, and lean into the parts of me that love fun, connection, and a little bit of adventure. That side is just as real—
So the public version is just one layer. The full me is a blend of grounded, thoughtful, passionate, resilient… and yes, a little spicy once the workday ends.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do — 100%.
I spent years doing what I thought I was supposed to do, chasing stability, checking the boxes, and fitting into roles that never fully matched who I am. Those experiences shaped me, but they also made it very clear what I didn’t want.
Now, I’m building something that comes from my heart, my creativity, my grit, and my lived experience. I get to use my vision, my leadership, my passion, and my story. It feels aligned — not forced.
This isn’t something I was told to do (or even knew existed as a career)
It’s something I was made for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fotovibeparty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fotovibeparty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FotoVibeParty/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FotoVibe