When you think of balloon décor, you may picture birthday parties or grand openings. But for Stephanie Cofield-Mixon, balloons are a way to build community, inspire happiness, and transform spaces into unforgettable experiences.
As the founder and owner of Celebration Creations, Stephanie has spent nearly four decades crafting memorable events for clients across New Jersey and beyond.
Recently, she shared her story during a presentation at the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, offering insight into her journey, her passion for her craft, and the values that guide her business.
A Journey from Accounting to Event Design
Stephanie didn’t begin her career with balloons in mind. After studying accounting in college, she landed her first corporate job only to find herself planning company events because she managed the budgets. The reactions from guests who admired her party setups gave her something that spreadsheets never could: joy.
At just 22 years old, she took a leap and launched her own company, Celebration Creations. Her goal was simple. She wanted to bring smiles and beauty into people’s lives through creative décor.
Over the years, Stephanie balanced motherhood and entrepreneurship, raising five children while growing her business. Her passion for creating memorable experiences carried her through every challenge.
What It Means to Be a Certified Balloon Artist
Stephanie is recognized in her field as a Certified Balloon Artist, a distinction earned through professional training in color theory, design balance, and event composition. This certification allows her to blend artistry and technical skill, designing décor that maximizes both visual impact and client budgets.
Her expertise ensures that every Celebration Creations installation, from balloon arches to full event transformations, has the “wow” factor. Clients trust her to understand how to use scale, proportion, and texture to create designs that elevate any occasion.
Teaching and Spreading Positivity Through Balloons
Beyond her own business, Stephanie is deeply committed to sharing her knowledge with others.
She travels around the country teaching aspiring balloon decorators not just how to create beautiful designs, but how to build sustainable, values-driven businesses.
Her teaching often centers on mindset, a topic she’s passionate about. She believes that success in any creative industry depends on resilience, focus, and joy.
Her presentations encourage other entrepreneurs to find purpose in their work and use their talents to uplift others.
Big Balloon Builds and Giving Back
Stephanie’s commitment to giving extends beyond her client work. She regularly participates in charitable projects known as “Big Balloon Builds,” which unite balloon artists from around the world to create immersive, large-scale environments for good causes.
These installations have supported organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House in Indiana and children’s hospitals in Florida. Designed to bring comfort and delight to families facing life-threatening illnesses, these projects showcase how balloon art can serve a greater purpose.
One of Stephanie’s most memorable experiences was contributing to an international build in Macedonia. The project combined artistry, teamwork, and cultural exchange on a grand scale.
From Home Studio to Bayville Design Center
For more than two decades, Celebration Creations operated out of Stephanie’s home. She would transport her materials and equipment to client sites across New Jersey, a process that required long hours and careful planning.
In 2020, while many businesses were downsizing, Stephanie realized it was time to expand. She opened her first retail location in Bayville, a dream she had held for years. The storefront gave her a new way to connect with clients and display her designs.
As her business grew, so did her ambitions. Recently, Celebration Creations moved to a larger facility at 661 Atlantic City Boulevard in Bayville. The new studio is three and a half times the size of the original, offering space for design production, client meetings, and community gatherings.
Stephanie’s “design studio” is a creative workspace where her team can construct large installations, test new ideas, and serve clients more efficiently. The expansion also included a new yellow box truck, making event transport faster and easier.
Community, Creativity, and Future Plans
Stephanie’s vision for the Bayville studio goes beyond business. She hopes to host monthly community gatherings and casual events that bring people together for fun and relaxation. Ideas include line dancing, Zumba classes, or social nights where residents can enjoy good company surrounded by her colorful balloon creations.
She views these gatherings as a way to give back to the community that helped her business thrive. Her involvement with the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce has also played a key role in her growth, connecting her with other local entrepreneurs and helping her expand her reach.
Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Balloon Design
Environmental responsibility is a major focus for Stephanie. Living and working near the Jersey Shore has made her especially mindful of how materials impact the planet. Celebration Creations uses primarily USA-made latex balloons, which are biodegradable and break down naturally over time.
She and her team take care to retrieve and properly dispose of all materials after events. For clients or schools that prefer non-latex options due to allergies, Celebration Creations also creates designs using foil balloons. These can be repurposed or recycled, reducing waste and extending their use.
Through these practices, Stephanie demonstrates that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Designing the Extraordinary: From Airplanes to University Graduations
Not all of Stephanie’s work happens at backyard parties. Her client list includes major institutions such as Rutgers University, where she provides décor for large-scale graduations and corporate events.
The largest structure she has built independently was a trio of balloon airplanes spanning 30 feet in length, crafted in her basement and later displayed at the Atlantic City Convention Center. She’s also participated in team builds featuring more than 80,000 balloons, a feat that combines engineering, math, and artistry.
Each project requires careful planning and calculation, from determining balloon quantities to managing construction timelines. Stephanie jokes that while she left accounting behind, she still uses geometry and formulas every day.
No Event Too Small
Even with her experience in large-scale installations, Stephanie maintains that no event is too small for Celebration Creations. The company offers everything from $25 balloon bouquets to full venue transformations.
She believes that every customer deserves care and creativity, no matter their budget. Many long-term clients began with a single bouquet and returned years later for weddings, anniversaries, or milestone celebrations.
Celebration Creations also offers a nationwide delivery service, making it easy for customers to send balloon gifts across the country or schedule local deliveries within Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington, and Atlantic counties.
Mentorship and Opportunity
One of Stephanie’s favorite aspects of running her business is mentoring others. She employs high school students, college interns, and stay-at-home parents looking for flexible work. Through her training, she helps team members develop confidence, work ethic, and creative problem-solving skills.
Her shop has become more than a workplace. It’s a place where people grow. For Stephanie, the opportunity to inspire others is just as rewarding as creating art itself.
A Legacy of Joy and Community
Clients who work with Celebration Creations often describe the experience as collaborative, dependable, and full of heart. Testimonials from community members highlight her generosity, attention to detail, and ability to exceed expectations.
From charity galas to corporate functions, every installation reflects Stephanie’s lifelong goal—to bring joy to others through color, design, and imagination.
As Celebration Creations continues to expand in Bayville, the company remains rooted in the same values that inspired it 38 years ago: creativity, community, and compassion.
Visit Celebration Creations
Explore custom balloon décor, event design, and balloon delivery services across New Jersey.
Phone: 732-378-9922
Facebook: facebook.com/CelebrationCreations.biz
YouTube: youtube.com/@njballoons