Black-owned businesses have increased since the onset of the COVID pandemic. Many arose in the beauty industry, including lash technicians, hairdressers and makeup artists. The Circuit machine became the primary source for clothing brands and accessories.
Amani Hall, a third-year accounting student, became one of the many Black-owned businesses when she started her career during the pandemic.
Hall’s business, Her Dream Creations LLC, is a service specializing in balloon creations for birthday parties, banquets and other events. Hall said her vision to create her own business started with a video.
“During the pandemic, I came across a TikTok video of someone’s decorations. I went and bought some balloon supplies right after,” Hall said.
“I started doing family events and birthdays. I started loving what I was doing, eventually turning it into a business,” she added.
Halls’s family friend, Monica Carswell, inspired her to start her business. She said it all started with baby shower pictures.
“My mom’s friend decorated her baby shower and it inspired me. She has now worked with Yung Miami, Gucci Mane, and Trina,” Hall said.
“To see her as a Black woman dominating in an industry that is not known for having much Black representation is inspiring,” Hall said.
Hall has done balloon creations for Juneteenth celebration events, graduation parties and grand openings for apartments. She also presented at the Class of 2024 Business Fair during the 2021 fall semester.
After presenting to the student body, Hall had an increase in clientele. Zania Ricks, a third-year occupational therapy student, enjoyed her experience with Her Dream Creations.
“Amani has been my friend since freshman year, and she has always been creative. She can give her own input but still have your vision come to life,” Ricks said.
“I knew she could quickly come up with something creative the night I became a spring ’22 initiative of the Original Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. I asked her if she could create a cluster of pink and green balloons for me, and it came out beautiful.”
Ayanna LaCroix, a third-year criminal justice student, said she has never seen a business like Her Dream Creations in Tallahassee.
“It is different than what everyone else is doing, which makes her stand out,” LaCroix said.
“I had a balloon arrangement in a bouquet style with pictures of my boyfriend and me. Amani is extremely professional, and her creations are well thought out.”
Hall plans to grow her business by increasing her clientele and partnering with other businesses. Her upcoming project will be for the opening of the Lafayette Gardens apartment complex.