We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jodie Vickers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jodie below.
Jodie, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Immersion in the arts, pulling ideas and inspiration from everywhere, seeing what isn’t always written out. I love estate sales, antique malls, studying a painting that catches my eye, unusual, quirky home decor, interesting shapes and forms I see in my cracked screen protector. I love collecting things I find interesting and incorporating them into a design in an unexpected way. Creating has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s like an innate part of my brain.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have always been very driven by the opportunity to utilize my creativity. Composition: what makes your eye happy, feel at ease when looking at any type of display, is my strong suit. The ability to pull a variety of elements together to create a design is a huge part of every artistic creation.
I love to thrift, sustainability, value, uniqueness, quirk, thrill of the hunt; are all part of the creative process for me. I love finding something and giving it new life.
Design has always been a constant in my life, whether decorating my childhood bedroom, upcycling furniture, decorating my house, painting, helping friends create unique decor in their homes, it fulfills a part of me in a way nothing else can. My focus in college was art/interior design, the opportunity to utilize my degree and not be a “starving artist” is something I never imagined I would be doing.
I don’t view what I do with Popping Party and Events as “balloon decor”. I create unique, one-of-a-kind art installations for each of my clients. I love the opportunity to take an idea/ theme/ vision and bring it to life in over the top ways.
I recently launched my new website; it took a while to find the right layout and aesthetic to capture the artistic element of what I offer. When clients visit my site, I hope they grasp the artistry behind my work and find value in the unique approach I take to each design.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One of the most important qualities I value most is perseverance. Being a small business owner is tough, juggling all of the aspects of business in addition to balancing family is hard. Pushing through the doubt, frustration and setback takes grit.
I take a figure it out approach to life, not sure if this is a skill, knowledge or just personality. There isn’t much I can’t figure out with a little brainstorming and trial and error. Thinking outside the box, seeing things in a different way, trying something from an untraditional approach is a skill I embrace and find invaluable. I definitely get some questionable looks as I am working through a project, every aspect of the creative process is rewarding, sometimes frustrating, but rewarding when the end result comes together.
I believe artistry, creativity, being a creative is innate. That being said, there are rules to design, composition, artistic elements that pull a design together and must be considered and enhance one’s personal skill. Going to college and studying the arts definitely enhanced my skills and helped me develop my personal style. I greatly value my education and the opportunities it afforded me in many aspects of my life.
As a one enters this journey of entrepreneurship, embrace your innate skills, be confident in your talent in whatever field you are embarking on. Find ways to be flexible, enjoy the process and know it’s going to be the hardest, most rewarding endeavor. Give yourself grace.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always looking to collaborate with other vendors. Party planners, event coordinators, special events, small businesses, promotional planners. I truly believe every event in life is worth celebrating. Balloon creations add such an impactful element to every event. The perfect design can transform a space, set a mood and draw attention in a big way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.poppingpartyballoons.com/
- Instagram: @POPPINGPARTYANDEVENTS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poppingpartyandevents
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-vickers-089a3a228?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/popping-party-and-events-overland-park
Image Credits
Lenn Wetzel Photographer/Owner L. Rene Photography, LLC
