Today we’d like to introduce you to Kota Paige.
Kota, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been surrounded by art. My mother is a talented mixed-media artist and gave me plenty to explore as a child. We were always creating art projects, chaos or some freedom of expression! It would be hard not to mention her influence in my story. My inspirations are definitely cultivated.
I worked as a musician for most of my career; running pubs and booking events. I also worked in the fashion business. I love making music, creating clothes for the stage, designing my own sets and designing “event” experiences. You could say the “chandelier” was my spirit animal.
I’ve always loved event and interior design, architecture, music, and fashion. You may ask: what does that have to do with balloons? Possibly nothing. I found balloons to be an intriguing medium. I began to explore their possibilities. They have such beautiful colors, texture and can be multi-faceted with air or helium.
I began to study DIY videos and practice balloon design, giving them to friends, charities, and neighbors. At this time, I also became a student of social media and learned all of its marketing advantages. I studied under a few balloon designers and learned the ropes. I opened The de Luxe Balloon Company in 2017.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had a few challenges, but nothing that I wasn’t able to recover from. In my earlier career, people were happy when I gave them a shot of Jameson, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the elation of handing a child a balloon bouquet on their birthday. I was hooked!
My biggest struggle (in the beginning) was learning the art of balloon design and creating large installations. I’ve had a lot of experience and success running businesses, but no skills in balloon wrangling. I was motivated and anxious to close the gap, and I spent countless hours training, practicing and giving away my creations for feedback.
I feel I’ve conquered most design challenges, and I’m excited and inspired each day by my clients’ celebrations. I never know what I will wake up to. One day it’s a 200-foot organic sculpture, the next I’m being asked to create a campfire out of balloons. I love every minute of it!
The De Luxe Balloon Company – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We create modern art balloon designs that include: confetti, twisted shapes, balloons-inside-balloons, feathers, and tassels, just to name a few. We are a boutique balloon company that specializes in bouquets, arches, columns, organics, sculptures, and loose balloons.
We custom create color palettes for any theme or event. We cherish customer service and strive to give our clients an easy, stress-free experience. We embrace social media and technology to set us apart in our industry.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
To be honest, every day is a miracle for me. I’m barely two-years-old, but I’ve had a few moments. I am proud of the days when I’m up at 5 am and applying my belief in good old-fashioned hard work. Nothing can replace hours put into a craft or project, and I take pride in my work ethic.
While I haven’t always been lucky, I’ve made up for it in my inability to give up on creating. Recently, I was referred to a job by a top-rated pro in our industry, who I’ve admired for years. I believe I may have done a happy dance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedeluxeballooncompany.com
- Phone: 805-990-8970
- Email: [email protected]
Image credit:
Aleah Clark, JSW Photobooth
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