Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Avellaneda.
Jenny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I arrived in this country in 2015 and like all immigrants I started from scratch, being Housekeeping for a year, but I appreciate that job enormously because it taught me humility and to value each person who makes an effort every day in what they do, whatever the work that I do, I also work in a restaurant, I did delivery and I currently work in a daycare as a Teacher, I adore children but it is not my passion, and although I have a degree in Business Administration, I always liked crafts. One day I saw a photo that I loved it and I said I want to do that and I started in the beautiful art of balloons in February 2020, I immediately fell in love with this art, which came into my life in difficult moments where I needed something that passionate and fill me with life. That’s how I started my balloon business, but the pandemic soon arrived a month after it started, it was a very difficult start but little by little I grew up, trained and practiced. I met wonderful people along the way and that little seed was bearing little fruit. I love this work; I feel that this art is my passion. I love working with balloons, natural flowers and now I’m getting into craft. I like to see people smile when they receive a balloon bouquet and/or flower arrangement from their loved one or when I see their smiles when they see their decorations for their celebrations and say “Woah, how beautiful, thank you” or “God bless your hands” is a great satisfaction. I know that there is still a long way to go but with the help of God, that great dream will give great fruit, you just have to keep fighting until you reach the desired goal, be constant and patient.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been an easy road because when I started in this world of balloons, the pandemic began a month, I had to stop all those who had just started with so much motivation, but my desire to undertake little by little materialized and although everything was closed, I worked with the little I had, many celebrated from home and thus requested their balloon bouquets. I think that one of the biggest challenges is I have been working as a teacher in daycare because I have had to divide my time between my work schedule, my family, and my business, working like this when I get home, with late nights, weekends and free time dedicated to what I like so much, the art of balloons and more.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is an art because we transform simple balloons into beautiful arrangements with precious details. Many think that the value of our work is the balloons, but it really is what we do with them. My specialty are the balloons but I also work with natural flowers, print personalized t-shirt, and do stationery crafts. My motivation without a doubt is my 4-year-old daughter Isabella (where the name of Mybellaballoons the Bella can from, my daughter`s nickname ), making her birthday decorations and seeing her smile is enough for me, she inspires me to keep going even if sometimes I want to “throw in the towel”, I know I have to keep fighting for what I want and I wish to obtain. I know that many people do this type of work, but the sun shines for everyone and we all have the opportunity to grow and dedicate ourselves to what most satisfies us and we like, I love what I do, and more than money I do it with passion and effort. My motto is give smiles, give balloons.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe that if you do a good job, it shows that it’s done with love, passion, and training. In this way people will be pleased with your work, you will recommend yourself to other people and soon your client portfolios can grow since these clients will remember you and call you for each celebration. social networks with great support to make themselves known, but the important thing is not the number of followers but the work you really do. Small steps for big achievements.
Contact Info:
- Email: mybellaballoons@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybellaballoons
- Instagram: @Mybellaballoons
Image Credits
Jenny Avellaneda
