We recently connected with Cecilia Rubiera and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cecilia , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my grandmother which when my mom passed away when i was just 3, she stepped up and became my mom. Growing up i always couldn’t stand some things my mom would yell at me for but now being older and a mother myself, ive realized what she said and did was for my own good to help me be who i am today. My mom gained her wings 6 years ago and i promise i can still hear her voice helping me and guiding me still to this day. With her guidance i learned to resilience, purpose , self awareness & perseverance. She was what I called ” the make it happen girl” because one thing she always did was- make it happen. My mom always made sure we didn’t get to see her struggle or cry and i respect her so much more for always going above and beyond for not only me but my family. Growing up giving up was never an option, it was just their will always be a way. Now being older and a mom myself, i have realized how important her teachings and guidance were to help form the woman I am today.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a full-time mom with a 9 to 5 job at a popular bakery and of course a Latina balloon stylist here in Tampa, FL. During Covid in 2021, my landlord at the time passed away and we were evicted. We were left homeless and to top it off my hours were cut at the job I was working at. Moving from motel to motel while trying to support my son and myself put me in a deep depression. One day we needed a balloon install for our pre-k class graduation at the job I was at and we booked a friend of mine that I knew had a balloon business. Seeing her work and how she was putting the balloons together at first made me think “ah! I could use the extra money at the moment” and I decided to go home and watch YouTube and practice as much as I could. As I practiced daily, I would realize that I was feeling like I was in a different world and not going through what I was going through as far as being homeless and being in depression. The more I practiced, the more I felt alive and loved being able to see the different displays I was able to put together. Not only did it slowly start to help with my depression but also my love grew for the balloon industry. I came up with my logo, name- Helium Heaven813, social media pages and began booking clients. Here we are almost 3 years in business, and I couldn’t be more grateful to God even though many times I wanted to give up from being discouraged but he never left my side.
I’ve always been self-taught from learning on YouTube, Tik Tok & Pinterest but this year ill be going to my first balloon convention in the big ATLANTA, GEORGIA. It’s a 3-day workshop taught by two balloon artists in ATL by the name of LOU&LEE EVENTS & DESIGNS where we will be learning more about the balloon industry as well as hands on in groups to transform the Ballroom at a local Hotel. I’m more than excited and words can’t describe the joy I have to be able to meet different balloon stylist from around the world as well as being able to expand my knowledge and skill.
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?
Three qualities/skills that were most impactful for me were customer service, creativity, and continuous learning, Customer Service is always key when wanting your customer to become your client, Creativity comes within; if you have ideas, act upon them you never know what the outcome may be. You have to be willing to continue learning to expand yourself and your business. New trends are always happening every day in this world so why not use your creativity with it.
My advice to people entering the balloon industry is PRAY & KEEP GOING ! It may seem easy from the outside but its a lot of work and dedication to be able to be where you want to be. You will have good days, bad days, good months, bad months but no matter what you have to persevere and KEEP PUSHING. Its okay to take a step back from your business if you need to because mental health is very important in this world but let that be your push to succeed and you will see how far you can take yourself.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The most impactful people in helping me overall in life has been my FAMILY esp my mom and Uncle Delf-may they rest in peace. No matter what they always taught me to be myself and to never let no one take that away from me. My mom especially taught me that in order to succeed in all things you must have God in the mist of it; otherwise you will fail.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heliumheaven813/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heliumheaven813
