Today we’d like to introduce you to Ekaterina Luneva.
Hi Ekaterina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Me and my business partner Daria started WOW Balloons about 8 years ago pretty organically. It was only ment to be a side gig to make some extra money on the weekend. At the time, it was just balloons and small setups, and we were doing everything ourselves — designing, installing, talking to clients, all of it. And we could not believe how fast it went from 2 jobs a week into a full on operations project – maybe 2-3 months and we knew we had to quit our full time jobs.
Over time, we started getting requests that went beyond just balloons. Clients wanted full setups, custom pieces, branded elements, larger installations… and we kind of grew into that naturally. Instead of saying no, we kept figuring it out, learning new things, building more in-house, and expanding what we could offer.
Now, we’re at a point where balloons are still part of what we do, but it’s really just one piece of the bigger picture. We do a lot more production, custom builds, and full event visuals — especially for corporate events and larger-scale projects.
At the same time, one thing that hasn’t changed is our approach to clients. We’ve always been very hands-on, very detail-oriented, and really focused on making sure everything feels easy and taken care of for them. A big part of that is also our team — a lot of us have been working together for years, and that consistency really shows in the work.
Right now, we’re in a stage where the company has clearly outgrown the name “WOW Balloons,” and we’re preparing for a rebrand into “WOW Moments,” which feels much more aligned with what we actually do today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road.
In the beginning, everything was trial and error — pricing, logistics, timelines — we were figuring it all out as we went and solving problems in real time.
As we grew, one of the biggest challenges was building and managing a team. Neither me nor my business partner Daria had any real experience managing people, and we learned pretty quickly that your team is your most important resource — and also the hardest to get right.
COVID was probably the most stressful period. We had just signed a new lease for our space and bought a cargo van, getting ready for the next level — and then suddenly events were shut down. No calls, no bookings, just complete panic mode while still having all those new expenses. That was a very real “what do we do now” moment.
Another big shift was growing beyond balloons. Clients started asking for more complex builds and full setups, and we had to step into that before we fully felt ready.
Looking back, none of it was easy, but all of those challenges pushed us to grow into what we are today.
We’ve been impressed with WOW Balloons and Rentals (soon to be WOW Moments), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We’re a Dallas-based event production company that started about 8 years ago as a balloon décor business and has grown far beyond that. Today, we focus on creating full event visuals for both private and corporate clients.
What we’re really known for is taking an idea and turning it into something that feels impactful in real life — not just pretty, but thoughtfully designed for the space and the purpose of the event.
Some of the things we specialize in:
Large-scale event installations
Custom builds (backdrops, bars, props, etc.)
Branded and corporate activations
Balloon décor as part of a larger design
Rentals and full event styling
I think what really sets us apart is that we sit in a very unique middle ground. We’re not a huge rental company with high minimums and limited customization, and we’re also not a small one- or two-person operation. That allows us to offer a lot of flexibility, customization, and personal attention to each client, while still having the space, team, and resources to take on large-scale, high-budget projects. We’re constantly building new pieces, updating our inventory, and growing with our clients.
Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is how much we’ve evolved without losing that level of care. We’ve built a strong, consistent team over the years, and that shows in the way we execute our events.
At the same time, we’ve reached a point where the name “WOW Balloons” no longer fully represents what we do. That’s why we’re currently preparing for a rebrand into “WOW Moments,” which better reflects the type of work we’re doing now and the direction we’re heading — with a stronger focus on large-scale and corporate events.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
To be honest, when we were growing, there weren’t that many people we could directly look up to. The way businesses grow now is very different from how companies that have been around for 20–30 years built themselves, so a lot of it we had to figure out on our own.
That said, connecting with people in the industry has still been really valuable. We had the chance to get to know David Mahoney, who has been in the balloon industry in Dallas for decades, and it was inspiring to see what’s possible long-term. He’s a true enthusiast for the industry, and we really respect the example he’s set.
More recently, we’ve made a conscious effort to step outside of our usual circle. We started attending local networking groups like NACE and MPI, and it’s been eye-opening. After years of working with the same vendors, you kind of stay in your own bubble without realizing it. Getting into those spaces introduced us to so many new people, ideas, and opportunities.
So I think the biggest advice would be — don’t wait until you feel “ready” to network. Get out of your привычный круг early, even if it feels uncomfortable. That’s where real growth starts.
Pricing:
- Social Events decor starting at $800
- Corporate Event decor starting at $1500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balloonswow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balloonswow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WOWBalloonsDFW
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wow-balloons-and-rentals
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wow-balloons-irving
Image Credits
Team shots: @olga_shevchenko_photo
