The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s Community Recreational Services held its Leisure Education Classes: Business in the Community with Pretty Party Planners on November 14 and 16 at the Way of Life Facility.
The class was presented by Pretty Party Planners owner Davina Atwood to help Community members learn how to create festive balloon bouquets and decorations while also learning the ins and outs of operating a party-planning business.
Atwood and her sister, Angela Rhoades-Buckley, started Pretty Party Planners during the pandemic. Both have had a joy for decorating since they were young girls. During the pandemic, their passion for party decorating helped spread some happiness during the difficult time of separation of family and friends. They created balloon bouquets for “drive-by” events such as birthdays, baby showers, graduations and more.
Today, as we try to return to the “new normal,” they have had the opportunity to create large balloon bouquets and decorations for Community events and even major athletes.
The goal of the Business in the Community classes is to encourage Community members who may have always wanted to start their own business.
“We wanted to show Community members that there is a chance for them to start their own business,” said Julian Rivers, Recreation coordinator II. “Other than just having an ordinary job here and there, [people can use their talents to start] their own business. Basically, this class is showing that there’s another [path] in addition to jobs and school.”
Atwood gave a brief presentation to both classes about how she got into the party-planning business after taking some classes in California with her sister. She said it’s important to stay aware of the newest trends in decorating. Then she taught the students how to make a table bouquet using different size balloons and a single Mylar balloon.
“I felt like maybe this was something I should pursue and I could make money at,” said Atwood. “Today I feel so self-sufficient; if anything ever happened with my job, I know how to support myself, and I think it’s just so cool that I could do that.”
