Meet Rocio Jahanbakhsh

We recently connected with Rocio Jahanbakhsh and have shared our conversation below.

Rocio, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My grandmother was a very resilient person, she lived a very tough life and yet she was always positive, laughing, saying jokes, she loved to be around people and to celebrate life.
To be honest I didn”t even know the meaning of resilience until I was told several times, throughout my adult life, that I am very resilient, I just never thought about it, I saw it as a normal process in life. I really just think being resilient is just part of who we are as a family, all my siblings and my parents are very strong individuals, we don’t give up easily, we have fallen so many times, and we just get up, we don’t think about it, it’s an automatic reaction to life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My event styling and balloon artistry business, Party N’ Fun by R.J., was born in mid-2022. I love making people happy by creating unique and memorable events. I’m fortunate to have clients who trust my vision and allow me to add that special touch that makes their decorations more personal. I feel it’s very important to involve my clients throughout the process, allowing them to make final decisions. The key is always to respect their taste and aesthetics so I can bring their vision to life.

What began as a hobby 11-12 years ago, quickly became a passion. After many years of working as a professional makeup artist, I decided to leave that career and start something new. Now I do event planning full time, and I love it!

I’m an event stylist and balloon artist, and I love helping people celebrate special moments in their lives. From birthdays to baby showers to graduations and weddings or any special occasion to celebrate , I take pride in providing my clients with beautiful decorations that will create lasting memories. While I’m currently a small business, I have big dreams of growing successfully and helping more people with their special moments.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I have so much to say about this topic that it’s hard to summarize just a few skills, qualities, or areas of knowledge that are needed for this journey.

The three most important skills for a successful entrepreneur are the ability to refer other vendors and businesses, the ability to open doors, and the ability to work effectively as a team. My advice to entrepreneurs early in their journey is to develop these skills as early as possible.

But,
In this industry, knowledge is super important. You need to be up-to-date on materials, trends, structures, decorations, and more. You also need to be responsible with the environment when discarding things like balloons and disposables. When using helium and/or candles, you need to be aware of the rules and regulations. Be aware of Clients allergies, special needs, Finally, you need to be able to ask questions about the spaces that will be used for their events. Or walk through to make sure you can measure, knowing where you place decorations and where you can’t, allowing room for people to move, making sure you are not blocking exit and entrance areas, etc, Don’t be afraid of asking questions!

I believe that my knowledge of balloons and balloon displays has been the most impactful factor in my success. Balloons are more than just decorations; they can add a touch of elegance, fun, energy, tranquility, and beauty to any event. Knowing how to create these displays properly is key. In addition, I learned about the quality of balloons and how they are affected by weather and elevation. This knowledge has helped me create successful balloon displays for a variety of clients.
But again, you never stop learning and I continue educating myself and learning more skills so I can provide and offer more options to my clients.

I’ve been involved in this industry for over 12 years, and it’s been a hobby for most of that time. But now that I’m a professional, I realize that I need to continue growing, educating myself, and acquiring more skills within this space. Things are changing, and I need to evolve. One essential skill is staying humble and being willing to teach and help others. It’s also important to listen to others and allow them to teach and help you.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

There have been so many factors that have contributed to my success. I have had to face my fears and break down obstacles, but most importantly, I have been extremely lucky in my career. I love learning, and I am not afraid to ask for help. I am always searching for resources and seeking out people in the industry who can help me.

My family has always been very supportive of my dreams and aspirations. They have always believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my goals. My siblings and parents have always let me know that I am capable and that I am a go-getter who will succeed. My husband is also incredibly supportive. He has been there for me through thick and thin, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner. My dog Luca has been a huge part of my decision to pursue this career and leave my prior one. (Long story, perhaps for a different interview, lol!!) I’m finding this question very emotional to answer. The person who was my biggest support, the one I always ran to for advice, was my grandmother. I lost her just two months ago, and it’s been very tough. But when I think about resilience, she was my role model. She’s the biggest star and the angel who will continue guiding me. Because of her, I will not give up. I am ready to make this business a huge success and a source of work for many, which is my dream.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partynfun_byrj?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rocio.jahanbakhsh/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/party-n-fun-lake-forest

Image Credits

1-Tustin Newspaper-Article on the O.C Life & Hope Foundation. (I volunteer for them
making Life Size Balloon Bears-I am on the picture)
5- Rentals Landaverry’s in Bloom – (Design by Party N’ Fun)
7-Rentals: cabana, linens, tables and chairs: Paradise Rentals (Design and Set up by Party N’ Fun)
8-Asymmetrical Square structures Rental : Marlet Creations (Design and Set up by Party N’s Fun)