Inspired by a personal experience, Shavonda Pompy embarked on her entrepreneurial journey with Designs by Vonda. When tasked with creating balloon décor for her oldest nephew’s baby shower, she and her committee chose to handle the decorations themselves rather than hiring a professional. The success of that event and the subsequent positive feedback ignited Shavonda’s passion for balloon art. She recalls, “Balloons have a unique way of adding joy and excitement to any occasion, and I love collaborating with my clients to bring their visions to life.” Through a lot of trial and error and countless hours on YouTube, she honed her skills, and in 2020, Designs by Vonda officially became a business.
Balloons have a unique way of adding joy and excitement to any occasion, and I love collaborating with my clients to bring their visions to life.
Shavonda Pompy
Like many other small entrepreneurs, COVID-19 was the biggest inspiration for turning her hobby into an official business. Much like the over 68,000 business applications filed in Indiana in 2020, according to WRTV.com, the pandemic highlighted the need for an additional income source due to the uncertain times. Although she was an essential worker at the time, she said “I realized the importance of diversifying my income. By then, I had been working on and perfecting my craft for over a year and had become quite fond of balloon décor, so all the puzzle pieces fit perfectly.”
The balloon industry is constantly evolving, with social media playing a significant role in introducing new trends and providing a platform to share décor ideas and techniques. In 2024, Shavonda saw her business experience substantial growth, largely due to her investment in professional balloon training, conferences, and immersive balloon creations like the Big Balloon Build. The Big Balloon Build is a non-profit organization that partners with charities to raise awareness and funds to help children in need. They are dedicated to creating magical and immersive balloon experiences, each Big Balloon Build is unique, offering an amazing opportunity to make a difference through the joy of balloons. Learn more at www.bigballoonbuild.com. The Big Balloon Build is an international event featuring over 150,000 biodegradable balloons. The event collaborates with a local charity in each city it visits to promote the charity’s cause and raise essential funds. In the past three years, the Big Balloon Build has raised more than $1,000,000 for charities worldwide. In November, she participated as one of 60 balloon artists in Indiana, Pennsylvania, to create an incredible balloon Christmas Wonderland, which benefited the United Way of Indiana County.
She emphasizes, “These investments helped me stay attuned to the latest trends and continuously learn new techniques, allowing me to remain competitive while infusing my creative vision into my work.” Her company Designs by Vonda specializes in creating custom balloon décor for a wide range of events, from intimate family gatherings to large corporate functions and community events.
One of the most inspiring things about Shavonda is her ability to juggle the demands of her full-time job while running her balloon decoration business. She has managed to maintain a full-time job while running her business, she credits this to her support system and her family. “I’m a strong believer in implementing efficient processes, that enable me to streamline my business operations while keeping my professional and personal lives separate.” Scheduling installations for weekends and evenings has allowed her to balance both roles without compromising on quality.
I’m a strong believer in implementing efficient processes, that enable me to streamline my business operations while keeping my professional and personal lives separate.
Shavonda Pompy
Having an MBA and 20 years of career experience as an HR officer has also helped her develop essential skills such as time management, fiscal responsibility, and most importantly, customer service. These skills are crucial, but her diverse work experience in retail, education, and manufacturing has truly honed her customer service abilities, which she takes great pride in as a business owner. As an entrepreneur, she believes that consistency is key to excellent customer service.
Despite her skill set, Shavonda blossomed and began to thrive in her business after completing the Wealth Building Class taught by the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce. Before completing this 9-week course, she operated her business more as a hobby. As a requirement to graduate she participated in a pitch contest, in which she won 1st place, creating a significant jump-start in her confidence as a business owner.
Her drive and persistence to see her business succeed got her an opportunity to receive a scholarship as part of the Pacers Sports & Entertainment’s Supplier Diversity division’s 24 in 24 All-Star Initiative, which allowed her to gain national certification from the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). With the support of SOAR Management & Consulting, owned by Angela Franklin, she also obtained certification as a Minority and Women-Owned business through the city and state. “I believe these certifications are crucial for positioning any business, for corporate contracts.” Many corporate accounts have funds specifically designated for businesses that hold these certifications, making them essential for accessing new opportunities and growth.
Shavonda Pompy’s experience with Designs by Vonda exemplifies determination, enthusiasm, and the strength found in embracing chances. From a modest family gathering to a flourishing enterprise, she has transformed her creativity into a prosperous endeavor, consistently advancing through learning, qualifications, and purposeful partnerships.
Her commitment to high standards and customer care distinguishes her, making certain that every event she decorates is an unforgettable occasion. While contemplating the future, Shavonda stays dedicated to growing her business and empowering others in the field. With diligence, determination, and a solid support network, she demonstrates that with the proper attitude, aspirations can genuinely soar—much like her beautiful balloon art.
