Meet Melanie. A Concord resident and owner of “Did Someone Say Balloons”, Melanie is bringing moments of joy, color and connection to celebrations across Cabarrus County. What started as a creative curiosity during a difficult season has grown into a thriving business rooted in intentional design and meaningful experiences.
Melanie’s career began in retail, where she unexpectedly discovered a talent for visual merchandising. Working in a small store early in her career, she learned how to take large-scale design concepts and make them work in tight spaces.
“I had a knack for making the big ideas work in small spaces,” she said. “It was like putting together a puzzle.”
Her skill set led her to roles with major retailers, including Foot Locker and American Eagle, later transitioning into the optometry industry, where she combined operations with creative visual storytelling in retail spaces.
Looking for more stability, Melanie pursued a master’s degree in healthcare administration with plans to move into policy and procedure. While the path made sense on paper, it did not fulfill her creatively.
“I thought it would be the right move, but I realized I was missing that creative piece,” she said. When the pandemic hit, everything changed. Melanie was laid off, and the experience forced her to reevaluate her future.
“I realized I didn’t have anything to fall back on,” she said. “I was relying on a company for my stability, and that was a wake-up call.”
After moving to Concord, she began exploring different business ideas. While researching, one trend stood out to her.
“I kept seeing these beautiful balloon displays,” she said. “Even during the pandemic, people were still finding ways to celebrate. It made me realize how much I was missing joy.”
Melanie enrolled in an entry-level balloon design class in Atlanta, and everything clicked. She saw the color theory, the design concepts and the storytelling behind it and quickly realized that mastering the craft would take time and dedication.
“My early work was not great,” Melanie laughed. “I had to really invest in learning and improving.”
She immersed herself in trainings, courses and conferences, steadily refining her skills and developing her style. Along the way, she also leaned into local resources to grow her business.
The Cabarrus Chamber, Explore Cabarrus, and Flywheel Foundation became key connectors, helping her build relationships and visibility in the community.
“It’s important to be known, liked, and trusted,” she said. “I can do the work, but people need to know who I am and what I bring.”
In Fall 2024, Melanie joined Retail Lab, a six-week business boot camp hosted at the Cabarrus Center and powered by the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center and the Flywheel Foundation. The program helps retail entrepreneurs refine their brand, strengthen operations, and pitch for a small business grant.
While some of the topics were familiar to Melanie, learning them in the context of her community changed her perspective on so many things. One of the most impactful parts of the program was exploring long-term business decisions, including whether to pursue a physical space.
“We talked about real estate, overhead, and what that would really look like,” she said. “It helped me realize that may not be the direction I want to go.”
Melanie also took advantage of one-on-one counseling through the Small Business Center, working closely with her business counselor. With multiple balloon businesses in the area, Melanie wanted to clearly define what set her apart.
“Counseling helped me put my blinders on,” she said. “Instead of trying to do everything, I focused on what I do really well.”
That clarity led Melanie to lean into her signature style of classic balloon décor. While many focus on free-flowing designs known as “organic” in the balloon world, Melanie’s style is more classic and structured.
That approach has resonated especially well with corporate and business clients, who value polished, professional designs that enhance their events without overwhelming them.
Through Retail Lab, Melanie also refined how she presents her brand to the world. She pitched for and won a small business grant, which she used to improve her website and visual branding.
“My website wasn’t clearly showing what clients would get in the end,” she said. “The process of preparing my pitch helped me define how I want my business to be seen.”
Today, Melanie is building momentum and focusing on growth. Seasonal demand plays a major role in her business, with peak activity during spring and early summer. But beyond the business growth, she says the most meaningful part of her work is being part of people’s life moments.
“I’ve really embraced celebration through this,” she said. “I’ve been part of birthdays, corporate events, and even a celebration of life. It means a lot when people trust you to be part of those moments.”
To learn more about Melanie and her balloon design services, visit her website, follow her accounts on Facebook and Instagram, or connect with her directly at info@didsomeonesayballoons.net.
Recent Comments