Underdog Turned Wolf
When Balloon and Paper Stars, Jamie and Moi embarked on a journey of self discovery and acceptance, they had no idea they would inspire so many Latino artists. Now they are a symbol for brown artists all over the globe that they too can design for the stars. Their journey into self discovery and being proud of their Salvadorian roots hasn’t been an easy one, but now, Jamie and Moi mythical are proudly telling their story and inspiring other artists along the way.
Photographed By Claudio Robles
Make Up: Natalie Castillo
Stylist: Norma Rener
Jewelry: C2 Diamonds and Jewelry
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"I know that many other businesses and artists may disagree with me, but Moi and I specifically decided early on to have a faceless brand," Jamie tells me. It's a Sunday afternoon, and Jamie and Moi have taken some time off from a busy weekend of installing balloons all over Los Angeles. The weekend has been another event-packed one. Their Balloon and Paper team is cleaning up balloons left in their fabrication room after pulling an all-nighter inflating. Gray balloon inflators are going through a quality check in preparation to be sent off to aspiring balloon artists. And Jamie and I are looking at her and Moi’s most recent photo shoot.
"It's a bold photo shoot, but it tells our story. We haven't shown our faces throughout the years, but it's time," says Jamie, pointing out the intricacy of her tribal makeup and the jaguar patterns in her coat. "A lot of people didn't know we were Latino! It may be controversial, but in the beginning, I felt we had to take the culture out of the business identity so we wouldn't be put into a box."
I first met Jamie and Moi last year when they were preparing to release their new balloon inflators. At the time, and truthfully still to this day, their innovativeness shocked me. I had yet to see a balloon artist manufacture products they could use. Their new brand, MEDIYOM, was unlike anything I had ever seen before because it was for artists by artists. I could picture myself using one of the Ally inflators or packing my balloons in one of those huge gray bags and feeling confident because all my tools matched and looked aesthetic. I didn't know what to make a year ago of Balloon and Paper. Like most of us Instagram-age artists, we had seen their work - we had been sent their work and asked to replicate it on a smaller budget, of course- and we knew they were good, but that was it. Who were they?
I knew that they worked with all of the best influences, so I pictured Balloon and Paper as being friends to the stars, probably a woman who grew up around money, and so she just had the in with the celebrities. Boy, was I wrong!
I remember Jamie Facetime calling me the first time I requested a comment for an interview in the Balloon Business magazine and thinking, "Whoa, these artists do not look how I imagined they would!"
"The reason I was hesitant to show that we were Salvadoran Oro women was because we didn't want to be stuck in the category of only working with the Latino community. Our art was for everyone. Unfortunately, when we started, businesses that chose to wear badges that said "Latino owned" or "Black owned" would only get hired by their own cultures. We saw it a lot with our colleagues, and we wanted our work to speak for itself."
It was after the "black lives matter movement" that more of their clientele began actively seeking out businesses of color. "They wanted to actively hire minority-owned and woman-owned businesses, more than ever before." But much like my original assumptions, their clients also had assumptions about the business that negatively affected them in the long run. "a lot of people thought that we were white, so it backfired! They thought we were run by a man and not a husband-and-wife team with Salvadoran roots! We had to start showing ourselves more because we lost a lot of work! People wanted to hire Latino-based businesses or minority businesses, or woman-owned businesses. But we were all of those things and had been keeping a low profile not realizing that we could inspire other artists who look like us to reach for the same success."
The origins of "Balloon and Paper" intertwine with a tale of perseverance and foresight, as recounted by its founder. Faced with challenges in securing employment post-maternity, she stumbled upon an image in a magazine featuring striking oversized balloons, sparking a newfound inspiration. Encouraged by her husband's belief in her potential, she embarked on a journey fueled by determination and a desire for greater opportunities. Choosing a name that hinted at broader horizons, Balloon and Paper was born, symbolizing not just a business venture but a gateway to endless possibilities and expansion.
“We faced a lot of obstacles during the beginning, where we didn't have a lot of people believing in us. We were the underdog starting out. We knew we needed to have a background. We were children of immigrant parents; we didn't have any education to run any business. We just jumped in. At first, Clients didn't want to work with us because they already had people Balloon people loyal to. Being so new with no real business savvy and needing more work to show for it, it didn't help at all.”
Jamie and Moi persevered. Despite initially lacking experience in the balloon industry and entrepreneurship, Balloon and Paper defied the odds to emerge as one of the most coveted and replicated businesses in their field. With sheer determination and a willingness to learn, they embarked on their journey, propelled by a vision of success. Through relentless dedication and a commitment to excellence, Balloon and Paper quickly garnered attention, capturing the imagination of audiences worldwide.
Their rise to prominence was swift, fueled by a knack for creating visually stunning installations that captivated the likes of the Kardashians and other prominent celebrities and socialites. Their work became synonymous with viral sensations, setting trends and inspiring countless imitations. Despite the challenges they faced, Balloon and Paper remained steadfast in their pursuit of greatness, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Their success serves as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Balloon and Paper's story is a reminder that anything is possible with determination and willingness to take risks. From humble beginnings to global recognition, they have proven that even the most unlikely of dreams can become a reality with unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence.
As Balloon and Paper continue to soar to new heights of success, they are consciously steering away from becoming just another faceless brand. Instead, they embrace their identity and share their story with the world, allowing their unique personality to shine through in every creation. By showcasing the faces behind the brand and sharing their journey, Balloon and Paper inspire authenticity and connection, breaking down barriers and forging genuine relationships with their audience.
This commitment to transparency and individuality is particularly significant for Latino-owned businesses, who often face challenges in establishing their presence in the mainstream market. Balloon and Paper's bold embrace of their cultural identity and aesthetic is a beacon of hope and inspiration for other Latino entrepreneurs, empowering them to celebrate their heritage and express themselves authentically. By reaching outside the box and embracing their unique aesthetic, Balloon and Paper is paving the way for a new generation of Latino-owned businesses to make their mark on the world stage.
Their success inspires others to dream big and reminds them that diversity and representation are essential for fostering innovation and driving positive change in the business world. As they continue to thrive and expand their reach, Balloon and Paper is proving that authenticity and originality are the keys to leaving a lasting impact in an increasingly competitive market.
"I wanted to humanize my brand more, and I wanted people to get to know Moi and me better so that's why we decided just to show ourselves more and we're just hoping people get to know us and our personality and they see that we're just regular people, and all the things that we can achieve and hoping that we can inspire other people to achieve the same thing because we don't have anything that's like a special or anything like that we're just us and we're just hustlers"
I think this is perfectly displayed in their editorial for the balloon business magazine. Their humble beginnings, their rise to the wolf of the events world, and their heritage all combined to tell A fascinating and inspiring story,
Enter MEDIYOM, a venture born out of necessity and fueled by a passion for innovation. Jamie and Moi sheds light on the inception and evolution of this groundbreaking brand.
"I was inspired by tools that weren't readily available in the market, tools that I needed to elevate my craft," shares the founder.
"Whether it was specialized bags or unique instruments, I found myself facing the challenge of having to order them in bulk quantities. This sparked the idea of MEDIYOM – a platform to make these high-quality tools accessible to fellow artists without the need to buy in bulk."
From humble beginnings to a burgeoning enterprise, MEDIYOM is quickly gaining traction within the artistic community. "As we attended events and collaborated with fellow artists, we realized the demand for these tools extended beyond our own needs," the founder explains.
"It was then that we decided to offer them to a wider audience, knowing that they could benefit countless others in the industry." Yet, breaking into the market posed its own set of challenges, particularly in garnering recognition and credibility. "Many distributors struggled to grasp the significance of our tools, viewing them as niche or unnecessary," Jamie.
"Overcoming this required a concerted effort to educate and demonstrate the value of our products through tutorials and informative content."
Despite the ongoing challenges, MEDIYOM remains steadfast in its mission to revolutionize the artistry tool landscape. "We're still in the early stages, but our reputation and track record in the industry speak for themselves," affirms the founder. "People trust us because they've seen the quality of our work and know that our tools are born out of a genuine need." Balancing the demands of running Balloon and Paper with managing MEDIYOM may seem daunting, but for Jamie, it's a seamless integration.
"We use MEDIYOM products in our installations, which not only enhances our work but also provides valuable feedback for product improvement," explains the founder. "The synergies between the two ventures are evident in our shared commitment to excellence and innovation." As MEDIYOM continues to make waves in the artistic community, it stands as a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and a deep-seated passion for creativity. With each meticulously crafted tool, MEDIYOM paves the way for artists to unlock their full potential and unleash their boundless imagination upon the world
