Meet Cathryn Coleman | Detroit Balloon Boss

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathryn Coleman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathryn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business in February 2017 when I was up against the wall with a ailing hospice mother, young children and no other family to help me so I chased my fascination of balloons and once my mother passed in the Fall of that year I decided to do what I wanted to do for once, to step out on faith, Bouncing Around The Motor City was born. I have worked hard, committed for 7 Years and am beyond thrilled to be opening doors to Detroit 1st Balloon Store, Gift Shop & 3000 sq. ft. rental venue on Friday – June 7, 2024. Please come on out and enjoy a day of fun & celebration! Also my New Title is Detroit Balloon Boss capturing the investment I’ve poured into my company to be the best I can for Detroit.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love balloons, I think one of the biggest driving factors that really sets me apart from other artists is the level of commitment I have to perfecting my craft even studying in depth the history and magic that exists within balloons, since the very 1st Balloon in 1824, yes that’s right this year makes balloons a tired and true product for 200 Years, that’s mind-blowing! This really excites me and I intentionally have invested heavily in my industry even becoming a Certified Balloon Artist. Additionally I have invested heavily in small business education to help me position myself amongst those who had more opportunity than I had being a inner city minority. I have accomplished my success through the consistency of hard work and commitment, to go harder, change the narrative of my family to build generational wealth. No it was not easy at all, at all but was it worth it, every second. I have learned to believe in myself as others will have confidence in me if that is what I exhibit. I would like the world to know that Bouncing Around The Motor City is the American dream, the neighborhood dream, I never left Detroit, I stay true and now my city is rightfully regaining its reins as a popular happening city. My story is that anything is possible and to keep going. And if you have interest in crafting or balloons please keep an eye out for our monthly classes that start in July 2024.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take her to All Things Detroit to get her geared up for the Week. Our next stop is  shopping at Teasers and treats from Good Cakes & Bakes on the Avenue of Fashion, Downtown to Steves Soul Food, Casinos to catch drinks and leisure fun, Flood’s for a night cap and dinner. We would tour the neighborhood businesses like The Coloring Museum to nourish our creativity, Rosa for Coffee and Conversations, What’s the Dill for scrumptious delights. Buy a Black Owned designer bag by Unik I Am. We would go by Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness. Definitely patronizing Caribbean Kitchen for Curry chicken and cabbage. Eastern Market on Saturday mornings is a unique vibe owned by Detroit, definitely hitting the market and Mexican Town afterwards. We would go to Sista Roles to experience their delicious food and get our Role On! Hit up Paint’d Bus to have a one of a kind painting experience. She wouldn’t want to leave Detroit cause all of this is only a glimpse of what our great city has to offer. 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out Techtown Detroit for my entire entrepreneurial experience from Retail Boot Camp in 2019 to Comerica Bank Techtown Hatch Detroit $100,000 Business Competition Winner in 2023. The efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of the staff and community at TechTown has been the driving force behind all of my success. If i had to give a tremendous amount of acknowledgment and shout out to directly at TechTown it would be Christina D., Faris and Ned, they have welcomed me and my children and have supported me in the way my mother and father would’ve if alive. Also to Detroit Regional Chamber, Great Lakes Women Business Council, Racheal Allen of O School, Black Leaders Detroit, ProsperUS Detroit, Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance, Build Institute and Motor City Match. The opportunity in Detroit is immensely impactful of my successes, they are setting the bar nationwide of what support should be for small businesses. 

Website: bouncingaroundthemotorcity.com

Instagram: bouncingaroundmotorcity

Twitter: BATMC2

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