Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylie Vasquez.
Hi Kaylie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always joke that I have been an entrepreneur since childhood. My first taste of making money was selling candy at school during middle school recess. Later, as a teen, I started a “skincare” line selling body glitter oil and a turmeric face mask kit. I remember getting my first sale over Instagram. A complete stranger sent me money for a turmeric kit, told me it worked on her hyperpigmentation, and bought it again. These early experiences with sales strengthened my belief that I could make money selling products.
As an adult, I realized how creative I was; my hobbies included sewing, painting, crocheting, and anything art-related. I started to ask myself, “How can I make money from being creative?” One thing I’ve realized about myself is that I am always looking for an opportunity to build a business. One day, I was scrolling on Facebook and a woman in a business group asked if anyone could make a balloon arch for an upcoming event. I remember thinking, A balloon arch? How hard could that be? I researched how to do it online, and it seemed easy enough, so I messaged her and let her know I’d be available.
She booked me for $75. I bought the equipment I needed with that money and created my first balloon arch at 3030 Travis St. in Houston (previously called Now or Never) on February 11, 2023. I connected with the host and we just talked about random things. I quickly realized that building a genuine connection with someone is the best way to do business. She liked me so much that she continued to book me for the rest of her events that year.
I started learning new balloon designs, and each time I got paid, I bought more equipment. I also started buying backdrop fabric to create photo op stations to pair with the balloons. Since then, I have done balloon decor at Railway Market; Milk & Honey Ranch (for a styled shoot collaboration with Create the Date HTX); Ciel HTX (for a Houston Millennials networking event); Karbach Brewing Co.; the JW Marriott downtown for a birthday room decoration; Capital Title Post Oak for a Winter Wine Festival; and various other birthday parties and corporate events.
Over time, I’ve expanded my business into a more comprehensive event service provider. Today, I offer fabric photo backdrop stations, instant photo print booths, event photography for brands, custom character or photo cutouts, signage design and printing, and custom centerpieces. I continue to find new ways to offer creative services, and if a client is ever looking for something specific outside of what I do, I have a wonderful network of vendor partners I can easily connect them with.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In my experience, no business is a smooth road. Early on, I really struggled with pricing. When I first started doing decor, I was okay with charging very low rates because, although I could build a balloon arch, I felt I still needed to learn new designs and eventually upgrade my materials.
Over time, as I researched new methods, I realized I needed to invest in professional-grade balloons that come in specific sizes. A standard pack on Amazon usually only brings about five extra-large balloons, and the cover photo on the product listing is often AI-generated to exaggerate the size, or it would actually require two or three packs to recreate that look. It gives clients who aren’t in the industry a false idea that one basic pack of balloons is going to make a giant, extremely full-looking design.
If you want to achieve those highly sought-after, “Instagrammable” decorations, you generally need high-quality balloons that come in bulk packs of extra-large (XL) and extra-small (XS) sizes. Blending these different sizes is what gives the design that elevated, organic look. Of course, quality balloons cost more, which means you have to price your services higher. You also have to factor in drive time, setup time, and labor costs.
I quickly realized I had to raise my prices in order to actually be profitable. When I let some of my clients know about the price change during their next inquiry, I actually lost a client who had been consistently booking me. It was tough, but at my previous rates, I was consistently taking a loss due to the cost of equipment, labor, and gas. I learned a valuable lesson: although you may have a great relationship with a client, there are times when your business outgrows that partnership, and you are no longer the right fit—and that is completely okay for both parties
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I specialize in creating immersive photo op stations for parties and events by pairing custom balloon arches with elegant fabric backdrops. Whether it is an intimate gathering or a major milestone, like a beautiful 73rd birthday party I recently designed a backdrop station for, I love creating dedicated spaces where guests can capture memories.
In addition to event design, I also specialize in event photography, which is something I am incredibly proud of. Recently, I photographed a fantastic event at the Capital One Café in the Galleria for a non-profit organization called Free Juice and a brand called NVSEME Jewelry. They hosted an engaging artist workshop that even included a scavenger hunt featuring Sephora-sponsored goodies. Capturing the energy and details of events like that is so fulfilling to me.
What truly sets me apart from others in the industry is this unique combination of services. I am a one-stop shop for event aesthetics and memories. Because I am a photographer, I know exactly how to design a balloon and fabric backdrop that will photograph perfectly, understanding lighting, spacing, and composition. Conversely, because I build the decor, I know exactly how to highlight an event’s design when I am behind the camera. I am most proud of how versatile my business has become and my ability to bring a client’s complete vision to life, from set up to snapshot.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My view on risk taking has always been centered around taking calculated risks. There is no sense in throwing money away, so before I take a leap or invest in new equipment, I make sure I already have an opportunity lined up. As I mentioned earlier, when I started my balloon decor business, I didn’t buy the supplies first, I secured the client, locked in the gig, and then used the money from that booking to fund the equipment I needed.
I don’t really believe in the “build it and hope they come” model. For example, I wouldn’t blindly invest $1,000 into random business equipment without knowing if I could even secure a client for it. To me, that is a poorly calculated risk. This mindset actually stems from my career in the tax industry, which taught me the fundamentals of accounting and allowed me to see the financial mistakes other business owners were making so I could avoid them.
One major lesson I learned is the IRS “hobby loss” rule. To be recognized as a legitimate business rather than a hobby, the IRS generally requires you to show a profit in at least three out of five consecutive years. If they deem your business a hobby, they can disallow your business expenses, which can result in you owing back taxes. By calculating my risks and refusing to take on expenses without guaranteed income, I ensure a profitable outcome for every job. This discipline has given me a positive tax outcome every year. I am able to show a clear profit to the IRS to protect my business status, while still legally minimizing my tax liability through reasonable, calculated equipment purchases.
Today, I manage my risks through that same strict financial discipline. I have my business set up so that every single booking and expense is meticulously tracked. All the revenue is pooled into a separate bank account and used strictly for business expenses and reinvestment. Right now, I do not pay myself out of the business the business’s money is the business’s money. I view it as a dedicated growth fund. Because I am still in the stage of building my reputation and scaling my brand, I reinvest everything to elevate my services. Once I reach my next financial milestone and the business has scaled further, I will start paying myself. But for now, controlling my risk means keeping the business well-funded so it can organically grow.
Pricing:
- Balloon Arches starting at $200
- Event Photography starting at $300 (Includes trip charge, (2-3) editing labor hours, (2.5) event labor hours, $)
- Instant print photo stations starting at $250 (includes 50 prints + 2 hours)
- Grass Wall Rental starting at $150 (Includes Install & Breakdown)
- customized cut outs (4ft-6ft) starting at $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bykaylievasquez.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykaylievasquez/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/designdivas.htx/
