What began as a spring break curiosity became a creative business that lifts spirits—and earns $1,200 a month.
Challenge
Back in college, Jason Vaughn wasn’t looking for a side hustle—he was just looking for purpose. During a spring break mission trip to Miami, he met a coordinator who told Bible stories using nothing but balloons. Instead of the usual balloon animals or flowers, this performer twisted shapes to create entire characters and scenes.
Jason was fascinated. He’d never seen balloons used that way before. By the end of the trip, he was hooked—and determined to learn the art himself.
Action
When he got back home, Jason threw himself into practice. YouTube tutorials didn’t exist yet, so he learned the old-fashioned way—borrowing books from the library and spending hours experimenting. Within weeks, he could create elaborate sculptures from memory.
His first big opportunity came when he approached the marketing manager at a local Chick-fil-A. He offered to perform during the restaurant’s kids’ night, using his balloon creations to tell stories and entertain families. They paid him $25 cash and $25 in gift cards. That was all the validation he needed—his new side hustle was officially off the ground.
Jason named his business Higher Hope Balloons and started performing anywhere he could—libraries, schools, daycare centers, even retirement homes. His materials cost barely ten dollars to start, and his energy and enthusiasm did the rest.
As his skills and reputation grew, so did his prices. What began as small gigs soon turned into paid performances ranging from $127 to nearly $500 each. He upgraded his gear, invested in a professional balloon inflator, and expanded his reach across his city.
Result
Within a few years, Jason’s balloon artistry was generating $1,200 in monthly profit—sometimes more. It became his reliable backup plan whenever life changed. When he relocated from Dallas to Austin, he took the business with him, performing full-time while resettling.
Even as he explored other ventures—like reselling on eBay and Amazon—his balloon work remained his creative foundation. Each design he posted on Instagram drew new clients and opportunities. His long-term vision? To create custom balloon installations for brands and TV shows.
Lesson
Jason’s story proves that even the most unexpected skills can become a source of income. He didn’t invent balloon art—but he reinvented how to share it, using joy and storytelling to connect with audiences.
His journey is a reminder that creativity doesn’t need a business plan to begin—it just needs curiosity and a little courage to take shape. When you follow what lifts you up, success tends to rise with you.
Inspired by a true story originally featured on Side Hustle School by Chris Guillebeau. This rewritten version is independently produced and fully original.