OKC Balloon Bar is making a pop in the metro… in more ways than one.
Owner and founder Meia Abram started playing with balloons in 2020 and never looked back. When Abram decided to start OKC Balloon Bar, she ran the business out of her home. But, as she gained more customers, OKC Balloon Bar outgrew her home and she began facing new challenges that could only be solved by expanding.
Balloon artists need countless resources to support their businesses. According to Abram, getting professional quality balloons — specifically in Oklahoma — is extremely difficult because they must be shipped from neighboring states. Shipping is costly and slow, which makes last-minute events nearly impossible. When she opened up her store in Edmond, she wanted to make things easier for both herself and other new balloon artists.
“There’s not another store like this in Oklahoma,” Abram said. “I wanted to open [OKC Balloon Bar] for other people who do balloons as well, so it can be easily accessible to them.”
Abram stresses the importance of uplifting others in the industry. She loves to work with new people and help them out, and takes pride in being a trailblazer for other balloon artists in Oklahoma.
Meia Abram is just 25 years old and is already her own boss. She splits her time working at the store and spending time with her family — although sometimes there is some overlap due to her busy schedule. She is a mom to a 10-month-old son and has a husband who occasionally helps her with making balloon deliveries.
Abram values the relationships she has with her coworkers. She loves helping others, and doesn’t limit that help to just other balloon artists.
Crimson Rose Events owner Sierra LaValley is business partners — and close friends — with Abram. Crimson Rose Events makes backdrops, and partners with OKC Balloon Bar to enhance each other’s products. Both LaValley and Abram believe everyone should be able to enjoy their creations, regardless of their budget.
“We are able to cater to more than just the high-end clients,” LaValley said. “To give someone a party they will have pictures and memories of forever, that’s really special to me.”
Meia Abram is all about uplifting the people around her. When The Okie Hangout owner NaKayla Derritt reached out to Abram about doing a collaboration, the two hit it off. Derritt runs an event venue less than 5 minutes away from OKC Balloon Bar. Now, they frequently work together to create the best products possible for their clients.
“We work as a great team,” Derritt said. “She’s very professional, and we’ve definitely built a friendship.”
OKC Balloon Bar store manager Ashley Mars started working with Abram about a month before her store opened up in January of 2023. Mars was completely new to the industry when she began working, but says Abram is understanding and has made her experience at OKC Balloon Bar fun and comfortable.
“Meia’s a great boss and [OKC Balloon Bar] is a great place to work,” Mars said. “I’d love to work here long-term.”
OKC Balloon Bar is located at 1133 W 15th St., in Edmond, OK.
