We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tara Levy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tara below.
Tara, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I think my optimism ultimately came from my sense of humor. That’s how I developed it as a kid but as an adult it’s shifted a little bit for me. The idea of someone who is optimistic may initially seem like someone who is positive and happy all of the time. While that’s a part of it, I don’t think it’s about trying to only see the positives but more working on developing the skill to see and accept that there will be down moments or feelings. True positivity and optimism comes from embracing all of your emotions, not just the good ones. Working on getting better at that is something else that keeps me grounded. Being able to sit in the discomfort of sometimes feeling absolutely overwhelmed and a million steps behind while also being proud of how far I’ve come in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I create and design custom balloon installations! I’ve always thought of myself as artistic but have been working in healthcare for the past ten years. I didn’t come into the event industry until, ironically enough, the event industry all but shut down. I was working in a high-risk field during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. I myself have a pre-existing condition having had two open-heart surgeries before the age of five. My plan wasn’t initially to start a business, but more of a hobby I tried out while I was furloughed. I made arrangements for my family and friends, all the while documenting my work. It wasn’t too long before I had requests from complete strangers! And just like that (after countless hours, sleepless nights, rolling waves of anxiety, blistered fingers, etc.) South Bay Balloon Bar was born!
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?
One skill I feel that has proved super useful is learning how to network. It’s difficult for someone who considers themselves to be an introvert but it’s a must! And, at the end of the day it’s really just about being able to communicate and connect with people. Being vulnerable and having a sense of humor will get you farther than you think! Reception to feedback and trying new techniques or asking for help is also huge! I don’t think anyone can accomplish anything great completely on their own. And, unfortunately failing a few times is how you get better.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
There are a lot of challenges that come with running a business, especially one that involves doing something artistic that can also be physically demanding. All of the small challenges are fairly manageable but after a while it can lead to a little bit of burnout and loss of motivation. Learning how to balance work and personal life has really been the only way to combat lack of motivation for me. Once I get back to a good balance, I find myself not having to search for the motivation! It comes in steady waves that I’m able to manage in a way that lets me get the most satisfaction out of everything!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southbayballoonbar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southbayballoonbar/
Image Credits
Tom Bertolotti, Codi Wilcox, Amanda Murphy
