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And while inflating so many balloons may seem overwhelming, she says the key to working swiftly and efficiently is inflating two balloons at a time with her dual nozzle air machine. If she doesn\u2019t have her machine, then she has to be consistent in the number of pumps needed using her hand pump.<\/p>\n
Usually, it takes 10 or 12 pumps to make the ideal balloon size, but a trained balloon artist will know to factor in the sun and heat to avoid popping or expanding a balloon, so eight to 10 pumps will usually do, Villase\u00f1or said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a trick of the trade,\u201d Villase\u00f1or says of her process.<\/p>\n
Villase\u00f1or gets her inspiration from listening to her clients\u2019 ideas and themes. Then a picture will start to form in her mind of what it will look like; at times she\u2019ll draw out her vision too.<\/p>\n
Her talent seems to be both in-born (her family includes creative types like singers, writers and artists) and a consequence of being in the industry for 22 years. She got her first job at a party supply store in her native Whittier when she was 14.<\/p>\n It also doesn\u2019t hurt that she has been trained and certified in the art of balloon making. There\u2019s even an official convention that takes place throughout the country (though she hasn\u2019t been able to attend one yet) and showcases some of the most intricate designs<\/a>.<\/p>\n She even uses her creativity when making pi\u00f1atas for clients, another service she offers along with renting out bounce houses, linen, chairs and other supplies.<\/p>\n On Yelp<\/a>, many have given Villase\u00f1or rave reviews, noting her ability to go beyond what they envision.<\/p>\n \u201cThe balloon arrangements were above and beyond my expectations,\u201d according to a Yelp reviewer in November. \u201cJosephine took my vision and made it better than what I expected.\u201d<\/p>\n Locals shouldn’t be surprised to come across her work at city events. Her services have been used by various City Council members and departments. Local private businesses have also used her. She\u2019s even been booked for Hollywood celebrity parties.<\/p>\n \u201cI have one celebrity client whose wife goes to me, and he talks about my work to everyone,\u201d said Villase\u00f1or, who kept the name under wraps.<\/p>\n It started with officials from a production company who walked into a\u00a0store in Whittier she worked at previously, she said. From there, they sent her jobs or booked her into their company, and little by little she started getting noticed and referred to other events.<\/p>\n While her year-and-a-half-old business is mobile at the moment,\u00a0Villase\u00f1or hopes to find a permanent location in Central Long Beach or Midtown.<\/p>\n Villase\u00f1or said her business is growing \u201cby leaps and bounds\u201d and credits her team\u2019s customer service. She aims to go over the top with clients and, ultimately, it\u2019s about being a good listener.<\/p>\n \u201cYou must listen to what your clients want, their ideas, their theme, their colors and then you can create something unique and tailored to their event,\u201d Villase\u00f1or said.<\/p>\n She also donates her services and creations to some organizations and associations which has helped spread the\u00a0word of her business.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t hurt that Villase\u00f1or\u2019s volunteerism takes her all over the city and beyond.<\/p>\n Villase\u00f1or is a member of 29 different organizations including the Veterans Independence Day Celebration, the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance, the Wrigley Community Neighborhood Watch (which she founded in 2015) and Long Beach Community Emergency Response Team. She is also certified in CPR and first aid and knows how to douse a fire properly.<\/p>\n She\u2019s such an active member of her community that in 2016 she also ran for City Council<\/a> hoping to represent the 6th District.<\/p>\n \u201cI was taught to always help those in need for one day we might end up where they are or in a similar situation,\u201d said Villase\u00f1or.<\/p>\n While Villasenor has faced hardships in her life\u2014she has survived cancer, once defended herself during an attack by two men and has overcome homelessness\u2014she wouldn\u2019t change a thing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has made me stronger, more open, more compassionate, more aware of what is going on,\u201d Villase\u00f1or said. \u201c Yes, there is good in the world but there is also the dark side and my job is to shine a light over that darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n Find Long Beach Balloons & More on Facebook here<\/a> or on Instagram here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/0906-Baloons-369-970x648.jpg\")