Meet Macy O’Neal | Balloon Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Macy O’Neal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Macy, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Everyday I am continually inspired by my children, my community, my faith & my family. Without the four I would surely fail. Each day I wake up with the drive to do and make the best out of myself for my children.
Without my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ I would fail daily.
My husband, Ryan, my family (also friends who are family) & my community has always been my biggest encouragement and support system.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
When Covid hit in 2020 I had two small boys at home(one being only a few months old). My husband and I decided that it was time for me to stay home from work. It was something that we always talked about, but this time definitely gave us the extra push. I enjoy every bit of the time I have at home making memories with my babies. And that year, locked up in the house, really was time I needed to change my headspace and thought process.
From the time I graduated high school I worked 40 hours per week & before kids that was just fine. After kids I always wished I could just spend more quality time with them.
My balloon business gives me just that! I make my own schedule. I carefully choose which events I’ll work with & I’ll never miss a special event or moment with my kids again.
Do I work hard every day? Yep. Sometimes even when they’re in bed and they have no idea that I’m up late updating my balloon inventory, answering inquiries & posting on social media.
Do they get to see me do what I love every day? Yep! At the end of the day they’re my biggest cheerleaders & they tell everyone they meet about their Mommy, the balloon artist.
I ultimately pursued this business because I enjoyed throwing over-the-top parties for my kids. After some of my family and friends saw the balloons I was doing they would ask me to do a balloon garland or arch for them. I would obviously say yes. After a few times I told my husband “ya know what.. this could be a thing. I could do this!”
Turns out, it is definitely a thing & you can make great money doing it.
The best part of the job? It is so much fun! My life is literally a party. Every day. I can’t even remember a time when I would walk into my house and not see balloons somewhere in some shape, form or fashion, It’s the best!
Fun fact though.. when I was younger I HATED balloons. I always thought that there wasn’t much you could do with them. Put some helium in a few and throw them in the corner? Yuck! I was so wrong. I’m now designing garlands and arrangements that elevate any type of event you can think of & I love it!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend from out of town come to Atlanta to hang out with me for a week there would definitely be a few fun things on my list. First & foremost I would make sure we could catch a Braves game at Truist Park.
We’d spend a day at the aquarium & hop over to the nearest “hole-in-the-wall’ restaurant that we could find. Those are the best kind!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family & friends are my biggest support system. So I have to shout out my besties new business called Links by Brooke. She does permanent jewelry in the West GA/Atlanta area. There’s not a post of mine she hasn’t liked or a chance to refer me that she hasn’t taken.

Website: poppinballoonsbymacy.com

Instagram: @poppinballoonsbymacy

Facebook: facebook.com/poppinballoonsbymacy/

Other: TikTok: @poppinballoonsbymacy

Image Credits
Headshot: Cheyenne Rose Photography