Entrepreneurial spirit is supported by DDP Entrepreneur Grant

Erika Ubeda’s dream was always to own her own business, “I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” she said. And now, it is in full flight.

Ubeda owns and operates Isa Balloon Design and More at 108 E. 2nd St., a storefront she found with help from the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), which also awarded her its first Entrepreneur Grant.

Creating the new grant program was a goal within in the Downtown Davenport Master Plan and developed based on conversations and input received from the Downtown Davenport Welcoming & Inclusive Taskforce. The grant assists early-stage entrepreneurs with planning, locating and launching a new business downtown and aims to strengthen and expand the minority entrepreneurial community.

“We know that access to capital, especially operating dollars, is a real challenge,” said Alisha Espey, DDP Program Director. “We wanted to create a program that would help remove growth barriers and foster opportunities for greater economic inclusion downtown. With that goal in mind, half of the funds available are earmarked specifically for entrepreneurs representing minority-owned businesses,” she said.  

“Erika is the perfect candidate to receive the first check out of this program. She’s incredibly talented and her creations bring something new to downtown,” Espey said.

Isa Balloon specializes in elaborate balloon artistry. Ubeda creates colorful or elegant experiences for all occasions, including corporate events, baby showers, children’s birthday parties, gender reveals, holiday events and weddings. “Balloons make everything look beautiful,” she said. 

A native of Venezuela and an agricultural engineer, she now divides her time between the business and working in public health research for the University of Iowa. She nurtured her business steadily at home before opening the store this past summer. Family and friends for whom she decorated continually referred new clients and Ubeda’s reputation blossomed. A storefront was much needed.

A friend recommended she reach out to DDP, a Quad Cities Chamber affiliate, which helped her locate an ideal spot along a busy stretch of 2nd Street next to Chocolate Manor. “We were able to connect her to a space that has a complementary and successful business next door,” Espey said. “And all the stars aligned to land her business in downtown Davenport.”

DDP is dedicated to growing investment and activity in downtown and provides guidance, services and grants to prospective and current business and property owners. It offers six grant programs which are funded by downtown property owners within the Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID), who are fully invested in making sure the downtown and all its businesses thrive.

The storefront gave Ubeda a large studio to show off her unique displays. “It’s more than just selling balloons,” she said. “We offer a whole customer service experience.”

Business has taken off since she opened the studio. Her Facebook followers grew almost overnight from 200 to 700, and Ubeda is typically decorating for seven clients each week. She’s hired two part-time employees and hopes to add more in the future.

But for Ubeda, the act of creating balloon decorations is more artwork than just work. “For me it’s relaxing, like doing a painting,” she said. “It’s something I can enjoy and do as a business.” 

As a Latino business owner, Ubeda believes there is a lot of support in the Quad Cities for Latinos to open and grow their businesses. With events like Mercado, she describes the Latino business community as “vibrant.” 

“I’m so glad to be here,” she said. “Sometimes, it’s more than money to start a business. You need relationships. That’s always the most important.”