Sometimes it takes a horrifically bad—and expensive—mistake to spark something new.
When Ken and I first purchased our building, we knew it wasn’t the perfect setup for a gift & decor shop alone. We envisioned a space that could grow with us: a commercial kitchen for Hive Craft Cocktails, the possibility of hosting weddings on the second floor (its architecture is breathtaking), and most importantly, a place to connect with people.
The challenge? From the outside, no one can quite tell what is happening inside. We are in deep design-decision making phase when it comes to the outside (anlysis paralysis) and it's causing us to delay. Right now, we need something that will make people stop, look, and feel the energy of what we were building inside.
So, I hired someone to create a balloon arch for our entryway to say 'we are open, and we are here'. $200 later—lackluster, small, and not reflective of our style (plus popping balloons during a mediocre installation that lasted less than 8 hours)—I walked away frustrated. I had paid for convenience ahead of an event because my time is valuable. I’m still working full-time in my corporate healthcare executive role while spinning up my passion project (and, truthfully, my long-term exit strategy). But in that moment, I said to myself: I can do better.
And the truth is, I already have. Over the years I’ve designed and built balloon and floral creations for my kids, my friends, weddings, and countless celebrations—I even worked as a unofficial florist during high school. It’s in my nature—I am a creative at heart, a former critial care trauma nurse who values people deeply, and someone who believes that life is meant to be celebrated in all its moments—and love to create with an artistic exprssion in my free time.
That experience led to the launch of our newest venture at the HIVE MARKET: Balloon Event & Rental Services.
We’re officially ready to go for celebrations—from simple grab-and-go garlands priced by the cluster to full custom installs. And because we truly value joy, you won’t be disappointed—if something isn’t right, we’ll always make it right.
The Hive Market is more than a storefront. It’s a place to gather, to connect, and to celebrate. And now, with balloon event design and rentals, we’re adding a new way to bring that spirit to Cheviot and beyond.
As we embark on this journey, if nothing else, we know we will bring joy to the kids that get excited to look, or pull balloons off displays in passing as we add a little fun to our own building. If there is a gap in our arch, something tells me there may be a little one nearby or a neighborhood balloon snatcher, and that's okay. The fun is always in the creation. The practice helps develop skills to improve our offerings to customers while we rebuild the arches, one balloon at a time.