Meet Shayla Maddox | Party Rentals and Event Services Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shayla Maddox and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shayla, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Hey! Thanks for having me! Well, if it wasn’t for me ‘taking a risk”, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today. For a matter of fact taking on several risks. I had to finally let go of a lot of things that were holding me back from my vision. Things that kept telling me no, giving me self doubt or just to hold off for another year. It all began with my first risk which was letting go (divorcing) a marriage of 5 years with three young children involved. Should I finally break free, take that risk and leave to find peace and happiness for myself and children? My only worries were failing my kids.

In 2020, during the pandemic with a newborn son (my third child), I decided to finally take that risk in leaving everything that was built to start my life over as a single mother of three. One of the best decisions I’ve made because it gave me that push to step it up more, to boss up more and to provide more for my children. After 2 years of holding off a business venture, God said now it’s time to launch it to the world! Now it’s time to show others your gifts and talents! There are no chains holding you back. This is on you now! It’s a reason that I couldn’t move forward in my life because that person, those things I’ve experienced in the past, wasn’t meant to go into the next chapter in my life. It wasn’t meant for that person and those things to enter into something that God is going to bless me tremendously with. And I know God has so much better for me. I had to finally listen! So after that this introvert finally stepped out on faith and said, ‘Hey World! Meet your new owner of a company called The Party Popperz. Book me! But the risks just didn’t stop there.

Towards the end of 2020, I decided to leave a high paying job that I was with for over 5 years. I was super stressed with my work life balance and trying to adjust with being a single mother of 3 now. But yet I still have bills to pay from a mortgage, car note and everything else in between. After leaving that job, I took my 401k out and took a mental break for a while to figure things out, get myself in order and to also spend more time with my children. I wanted to be a full time business owner, but success doesn’t come overnight. I wasn’t making enough to be fully self employed. So I decided to take a lower paying job that had a better work life schedule for me during the week while I work my business on the weekends. The new job was way different from what I was used to but thank God I was finally off those phones (call center). I have a more open schedule now. I can take some load off my parents from helping with babysitting and taking my kids to school everyday. I was able to focus more on my business and have time to think of new ideas and planning.

Another risk I’ve taken is going broke just to invest more into my company. As far as spending my last, getting alerts that my account has reached below $100.00 just to take risks, chances and to see things flip. I started investing in more party rentals from bounce houses, equipment, branding, and finally buying my company’s first cargo van (paid off). I’ve made many sacrifices so my company can grow and to be able to provide more for customers requesting my services. I wanted to make more rentals and services available. I wanted more revenue to flow in the future so I can one day be self-employed. After months and months of spending on advertising, and creating content, things started rolling. I started getting booked more with weekend dates filling in fast for the party rentals. People are starting to recognize my work and rentals when they are driving by or around the area and saying “Hey, I thought I saw that KJ’s Playworld soft play rental in my neighborhood, I’m interested in booking”.

All of the risks above that I’ve taken have been very worth it. I’m glad I decided to finally go for what I want because it made me grow as a woman and as a mother. I want to also inspire others that may be afraid with similar experiences as me to finally go for what you want and what makes you happy, even if it involves you taking on risks. But let it be smart risks! I hope by the end of this year that I will be a successful fully self-employed business owner. If not, I just know that I will one day. And this will not be the last you hear from “Shayla Nicole”. My work is not done and God is not done with me yet. I definitely plan to take on more risks to see my company prosper in the future.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The services my company provides are event staffing services from hosts, setup/decorators, food servers and after event cleaners. Whether you want one service, two services, or maybe the whole package for your event. We can do it! We also provide party rentals from toddler soft play sets, inflatables, jumbo games, concessions rentals, and more!

What sets us apart from others is that we provide professional event staff to help with your weddings, receptions, child birthday parties, adult birthday parties, and more! We make you feel like family! My company services are not offered as much in my area and I want to help those looking for extra help with their events. All of this started from when I used to help my friends and family with their weddings, birthday parties, showers, etc. It was hard finding others to be dedicated and on time to help. I wanted to solve this issue by providing professional event staff services to others needing help with their events. I wanted to have staff available to work your events while you are enjoying your own event! I also wanted to have party rentals available for those that do not like paying full price for something that would only be used once or later given away for no use such as a bounce house, speaker, cotton candy machine, etc. Why buy when you can rent your party equipment/attractions from The Party Popperz?

The party rental attractions that I have are one of a kind because they are uniquely made to bring the fun to you! Whether your child’s birthday party needs a cotton candy machine, or a soft play set rental for a toddler’s 1st birthday or daycare event, we can help! We also provide hosts to help work your parties with setting up, serving food to guests and cleaning up afterwards if needed. Some of the party rental attractions are named after my children and the things they like. KJ’s playworld is a toddler soft play rental that is only for ages 5 and under. Most popular for 1st birthdays. It’s always so hard finding things for the younger ones to enjoy and do without the bigger kids being in the way. This soft play rental includes a toddler bounce house, slide with ball pit and balls, mini roller coaster, foam play blocks, bouncers and it is also gated to keep the little ones inside and safely playing. There will be new softplay sets and concessions rentals coming in 2024.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a foodie! So if I have a friend was visiting Chattanooga, TN, we are going on a food tour. So Monday, we will grab lunch at Fujis because I love hibachi. Taco Tuesday, we are going to Agave & Rye for the best birrias and drinks. Afterwards take a walk downtown and check out our beautiful downtown scenery. Wednesday, we are going to the Boathouse for their Wednesdays food specials and happy hour drinks. Thursday evening, we will go to State of Confusion. Friday night, we will visit Volcano bar for seafood, drinks and a live DJ. Saturday, we will have some fun at Top Golf, drinking and golfing, then go to Marisco Vallarta for mexican food and margarita flights. Sunday is usually the travel back home day so we will do an early brunch at Ruby Sunshine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give all thanks to God, my Lord and Savior. I am forever grateful and thankful for the favor his has upon my life! I want to give a special shoutout to my children Kayla, Skylar and KJ! They are my reasons and why I pushed myself to where I am today. My mother (Sonya), father (Donnell), and brother (Jr) for always helping and having my back through it all. You guys are the greatest! I want to give a special thanks and shoutout to my bestfriend Joyre. She’s been here since day 1 (literally since third grade) as my friend, sister, and therapist (lol) and I am forever grateful for her and always around to hear my crazy ideas. I wish I can name everyone but to EVERYONE (you know exactly who you are) that played a major part in my life, was there to see my growth, and to speak life and gave advice to me, I THANK YOU! I give all thanks to my supporters and customers rather you booked for an event, referred me to someone, like or reshared a post on social media. I thank you all!

Website: www.ThePartyPopperzCo.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ThePartyPopperzCo

Facebook: facebook.com/ThePartyPopperzCo

Other: email: [email protected]