Lizbeth Montelongo loved her custodial job at Lake Forest Elementary Charter School, where she worked for more than a decade. Her co-workers had become extended family, supporting her side hustle designing balloon decorations for birthdays, graduations and other special events.

But in 2022, Montelongo left her longtime position behind in hopes of turning her hobby into a full-time career.

The bet paid off.

In 2023, she opened Balloons Creations by Liz in a Chalmette storefront. Two years later, she’s planning a move to a bigger location. And her gigs now range from providing dozens of balloons for a baby shower to installing thousands of them for events in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

One of Montelongo’s first stops after deciding to go into business for herself was El Centr

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