She came to the U.S. with nothing but courage, creativity, and an unshakable dream to guide her journey.
From guiding students in Kosovo to building Balloon Thrill from scratch, Mia Hamza has turned healing into art and adversity into purpose. Today, she’s not just designing magical balloon decor—she’s designing hope, inspiring women around the world to believe in new beginnings. In this heartfelt and empowering conversation, Mia opens up about her journey, the lessons she learned, and the legacy she’s determined to leave behind.
Could you share some insights into your life and career before the pandemic reshaped your path?
Before the pandemic, my life was simple and centered around my family and my students. Teaching wasn’t just a job for me—my students had a big part of my heart. My mission was not only to teach them the subject but also to help them grow into the best version of themselves.
Through them, I believed I was also helping my people—contributing to my community’s future by inspiring the next generation. I come from a family with historical contributions to our country, and I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to continue that legacy through the work I do.
What was it about the pandemic that sparked a change in you and inspired you to start creating content?
The pandemic forced all of us to slow down. For the first time, I was isolated from my students, colleagues, and daily routine. Like many, I felt scared and uncertain. But one night, I watched the movie Contagion, and something in me shifted.
I realized that even during hard times, we still have the power to create something meaningful. So, I decided to start a YouTube channel with my kids to help other parents make the most of their time at home.
Your YouTube channel quickly gained popularity—what do you think made your content resonate with so many people?
I believe people connected with the realness of it. We weren’t trying to be perfect—we were just a family trying to make the best out of a tough situation.
The activities were fun, simple, and relatable. We showed parents that they didn’t need expensive toys or tools, just creativity and time with their children.
When did you realize that your videos were making an impact, and how did that motivate you to keep going?
When I started getting messages from Albanians all around the world telling me how much our videos were helping them, I realized this was much bigger than us. People felt connected, inspired, and supported. That was all the motivation I needed to keep going—we weren’t just entertaining, we were bringing hope into people’s homes.
Shifting from online content to hosting a TV program is a big leap. What went through your mind when that opportunity came your way?
At first, I was in disbelief. Hosting a TV program had always been a dream of mine, but I had buried that dream a long time ago.
When the opportunity came, I felt like the God was saying, This is your moment. I was nervous, but I knew I had to say yes. It felt like a natural progression of the work I was already doing.
Moving to the U.S. after building a platform in Kosovo must have been challenging. How did you manage to stay resilient while adjusting to a completely new environment?
Moving to the U.S. wasn’t something we had planned—it was a last-minute decision, and that made the transition incredibly difficult. I felt guilt for leaving my students, my friends, my family, and my country behind.
I had poured so much of my heart into my work and community in Kosovo, and suddenly, I had to start over. There was a time in the beginning when I truly felt like I was at my lowest point.
But somehow, balloons helped me find myself again. They gave me purpose, creativity, and a way to connect with people in a new country.
Balloon Thrill started from scratch—how did you go from an idea to a thriving business, and what kept you motivated during the early days?
I knew I was creative, and I loved working with my hands. I started playing with balloons as a way to pass time—I never imagined it would become something so big.
I had no experience in the industry, but I fell in love with it. The more I learned, the more I practiced, and the more I wanted to improve. That passion, along with the joy I saw in my clients’ faces, kept me going.
What was the biggest lesson you learned when starting Balloon Thrill, especially as a newcomer to the balloon industry?
The biggest lesson I learned is that you don’t need to know everything to start—you just need the courage to begin and the dedication to keep going.
Every single one of my in-person classes sold out, and many students came back for a second class to learn about faux flowers. That showed me that people truly value what I offer and that if you bring passion and effort, people will respond to it.
Your passion for teaching is evident through your masterclasses. What inspired you to share your skills with other women, and how did you overcome the fear of not being “big enough” to teach?
People kept asking me to teach them, and I felt called to share what I had learned. Even though I only had 5,000 followers and others had hundreds of thousands, I reminded myself that teaching is in my nature—I had done it for years. I focused on the value I could give, not the numbers.
And guess what? Our first class had more students than many of the “big” names in the industry. Teaching these women has given me the same emotional fulfillment I once felt in the classroom.
I realized this was bigger than just balloons—it was about giving women the confidence to believe in themselves. I truly believe that when women support each other, real transformation happens.
Seeing your classes sell out and your community grow must be incredibly rewarding. How has this journey changed your perspective on success and community support?
It showed me that success isn’t always about numbers or followers—it’s about impact. These women trust me because they see my journey, and they believe that if I could do it, they can too. That kind of community support is more powerful than anything, and it’s what drives me to keep going.
With the online course now reaching women worldwide, what’s your vision for the future of Balloon Thrill and your educational initiatives?
My vision for the future is to keep growing both Balloon Thrill as a creative business and our educational platform side by side. Now that the online course allows me to connect with women in countries I’ve never even visited, it feels like the possibilities are endless.
In terms of the business itself, I’d love to see Balloon Thrill become a go-to name for beautiful, imaginative balloon decor not just in my local area but across the U.S. – and maybe even internationally one day. But no matter how much the event side of the business grows, I want to keep the heart of our mission centered on education and empowerment.
We spent months working—me and a team of professionals—to create an online class that offers everything people need to start and scale their balloon and flower business. It includes all the strategies and secrets I used to take Balloon Thrill from zero to a successful, thriving business.
When I first came to the U.S., I had no house, no car, no money—we were living in my brother’s home. Today, my kids live a comfortable life, and I’ve been able to provide for my family because of this business. And I want that same transformation for every woman and man who dreams of building a creative business.
Our online class is more than just a course—it’s a complete roadmap to help others achieve what we’ve achieved, and even faster. I truly believe that with the right guidance, anyone can build something powerful.
And we will be there every step of the way. Through every challenge they face, we’ll be there to guide them, support them, and motivate them not to give up. My vision is not just to teach balloon skills but to help people build a life they love.
As someone who’s turned challenges into opportunities, what message do you want to share with women who are hesitant to take that first step toward their dreams?
You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. You just need to believe that you are capable. There will always be fear, doubt, and reasons to wait. But your dream is waiting for you to say yes.
If I could start over in a new country, with no resources, and build a business and community from scratch, so can you. Just take that first step.
