We recently had the chance to connect with Jacqueline Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Jacqueline, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel like I’m being called to teach, which honestly terrifies me. I’ve always been a good student, but I never enjoyed school itself. The idea of going to the same place every day and doing the same tasks just isn’t me, and that’s one of the reasons why I became an entrepreneur. On top of that, the way I think and approach things is very unconventional, and I used to worry about how that would be received in a world that often expects you to follow a certain criteria.
But over time, I’ve realized that the requests for me to teach keep growing, and every day I find myself answering questions, mentoring, or providing guidance. That made me see that maybe what feels unconventional is exactly what people need, a fresh perspective. So now, instead of shying away, I’m leaning into the idea that I can be an asset to my community by sharing my experience and giving teaching a real try.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Jacqueline Williams and I’m the founder of Balloon Bar Miami and co-founder of Balloon Empowerment, a community created to uplift and support other event professionals. About five and a half years ago, I left Corporate America to pursue balloon artistry full-time, and what started as a leap of faith has turned into one of Miami’s leading balloon businesses.
What makes my brand special is that it’s not just about balloons, it’s about creating experiences that wow people, whether that’s a corporate installation for a company like Royal Caribbean or an intimate celebration for a family milestone. I’ve also built a reputation for bringing organic, modern, and sometimes unconventional ideas into an industry that often plays it safe.
Outside of installations, I’m passionate about giving back to the community. Through Balloon Empowerment, we’ve hosted events like the Be Connected Summit and are in the middle of planning our next event designed to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and themselves. And I also have some other ideas up my sleeve that I’m excited to bring to life to continue improving and elevating our industry.
At the heart of it, I’m a single mom building a business that not only supports my family but also inspires other women and men, especially busy moms, to chase freedom, creativity, and ownership of their lives. That’s what keeps me motivated and excited about what’s next.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe being quiet and rule-following was the way forward, but now I know using my voice and trusting myself is what truly takes me further….
As a child, I believed that if I just followed the rules, stayed quiet, and tried to be ‘good,’ it would take me further in life. Growing up as an only child, I was shy, sheltered, and often afraid to speak up if I had a different opinion. I thought blending in would protect me, but really, it left me with a lot of self-doubt and a lack of confidence.
What I know now is that my voice matters, my opinions matter, and I don’t have to agree with everyone around me to have value. Learning to stand up for myself and trust my own perspective has been one of the biggest shifts in my journey and it’s given me the courage to build the life I have today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, yes!! There were definitely times I thought about giving up. The beginning of 2024, which was my fifth year in business, was especially tough for me mentally. I started questioning myself, my work, and even my place in the industry. I’ve walked away from friendships and colleagues who I no longer felt aligned with and some clients began to see me less as a trusted creative partner and more as just a vendor. It felt like the joy and respect for my work had disappeared, and instead, it became all about ‘what can you do for me?’
I also struggled watching parts of the industry shift, with newer artists under pricing themselves just to stay booked, which devalued the craft many of us spent years building. It made me feel like all the hours and effort I had poured into my business didn’t matter anymore.
What changed everything for me was being intentional — intentional about the clients I took on, the people I kept in my life, and the way I spent my energy. That shift turned the year around, and it ended up being one of the best years I’ve ever had. Now in 2025, I’m carrying that same mindset: only surrounding myself with people who TRULY want to see me grow and flourish.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that what matters most to me is fairness, honesty, and transparency. I can’t stand seeing people being taken advantage of, whether it’s me or someone else. I’ve always had a soft spot for the ‘underdog’ who works just as hard but doesn’t get the recognition they deserve, simply because they don’t fit a certain mold. You see that a lot in this industry, and it really hits home for me.
I’m a very humble person by nature. I don’t chase the limelight or crave attention and while sometimes that’s held me back in terms of visibility or brand partnerships, I wouldn’t change it. For me, staying true to my core values is what really makes someone stand out. And I think my friends would tell you that no matter what I do, I always lead with integrity.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If immortality were real, what would you build?
If immortality were real, I would devote my life to building a world where poverty and hunger no longer exist. (I know cliche..whatever) What a lot of people don’t know about me is that my ultimate dream has always been to become a philanthropist. I believe true success isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself, but what you’re able to give back and how you impact others.
The reality is, to give in the way I’d like to, I need to first create wealth for myself, because generosity requires resources. But if I had all the time in the world, I’d use it to create systems, opportunities, and communities that lift people out of survival mode and into a life where they can thrive.
I look around and see so many people with immense wealth who choose to spend it only on material things, while entire communities struggle to meet basic needs. If I had immortality, I’d spend my days changing that narrative and making sure resources were distributed in ways that truly help people. Because at the end of the day, the greatest legacy you can leave behind isn’t material, it’s the lives you touch.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://balloonbarmiami.wixsite.com/website-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balloonbar_miami/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=jacqueline-williams-296772102
