Daily Inspiration: Meet Harley Hagan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Harley Hagan.

Hi Harley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Seven years ago, I was a preschool teacher. I had been teaching for a while and was burnt out. I knew I wanted to find a new career for myself, so I took a couple of month sabbatical to figure out what I wanted to do. I had an acquaintance who was closing her balloon business. I bought her inventory and immediately signed up for training and conventions, and never looked back. I had no idea that this was an industry and I am so grateful to be a part of such a unique field. I certainly found the right business for myself.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of my biggest struggles that I have overcome is building a business from scratch without a college degree. Many of my skills I had to learn on the job. I have been fortunate in that most of the time, my growth in this industry has been upward. I practiced my new skills and continually took online and in-person classes. Because of our kind of industry, I am in going to conventions is a game changer. Besides learning so many new skills, I have cultivated some incredible mentors and friends.

During COVID, my business literally stopped. I was fortunate to get some government loans as well as having my teaching skills to Nanny. I am definitely a resilient person and was able to use life skills to prevail.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner of Denver Balloons and Events, and we specialize in creating custom and unique balloon décor. We are known for a few things, one of them is creating custom balloon displays that add something unique to the space. Our reviews on Google speak for themselves. We are here to turn your vision into 3D reality.

The thing that I am most proud of is when we make something we have never made before, and the client is thrilled with our work. It is truly their vision and ours coming together to create something new and amazing.

The other thing I am so proud of is when new clients reaches out because someone recommended us to them or a client comes back over and over. In less than seven years, I have built a good company with a strong reputation.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I am a person who feels very lucky. Even in the hard time luck plays a factor. I have been through a lot of trials and tribulations that would have broken a lot of people but here I stand, positive and successfully running my business. Luck is very important in this industry because rarely does an installation go as planned. So much of this business is adapted on the job. You have to be creative to make it work.

Running a business like this is hard work and it is lovely to have clients that bring joy to my work. I am also fortunate that my family and friends accept and support my business and especially crazy work schedule.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.denverballoonsandevents.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/denverballoonsandevents
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/denverballoonsandevents
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/DENBalloonEvent