Inspiring Conversations with Lani Bidlack of Partydream Toledo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lani Bidlack.

Hi Lani, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path into this business definitely wasn’t something I had mapped out. For years, I worked in sales, and if you had told me back then that one day I’d be running a warehouse full of balloons, marquee letters, and event inventory, I probably would have laughed.

What really started it all was my sister-in-law at the time, who introduced me to party decorating. I watched her create for about a year and kept thinking, this actually looks really fun… maybe I could do this too. Eventually I gave it a try, and what started as simple curiosity quickly turned into something I genuinely loved.

For the first three and a half years, it was very much a side hustle. I was working my sales job during the day and then spending evenings, weekends, and plenty of late nights building this business—often wondering how many balloons one person could physically fit into a car. Apparently, the answer is: more than you’d think.

In July 2021, I made the leap and left my sales career to do this full time. It was one of those decisions that felt exciting and terrifying at the same time, but I knew the business had reached a point where it deserved my full attention.

What I never expected was how much it would grow. What started small has turned into a warehouse, an incredible team, and a business that keeps evolving into something bigger every year. That part still amazes me, because in the beginning I was just hoping people would keep booking.

Now, what I love most is taking an idea and turning it into something people remember—those moments when a client sees everything come together and you know you helped create part of a really special day. That feeling still makes all the hard work worth it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were definitely plenty of struggles along the way—some expected, and some that only make sense once you’re actually living it.

In the beginning, the biggest challenge was building a business while still working full time and raising a family, which basically meant every day had two shifts. I had my sales job during the day, and then nights and weekends were spent doing deliveries, prepping installs, answering client messages, and learning very quickly that balloons somehow multiply when you’re trying to fit them into a vehicle.

A lot of the early struggle was simply figuring everything out as I went. The creative side was the fun part, but owning a business means you also become your own scheduler, customer service department, accountant, delivery driver, and last-minute problem solver—sometimes all before lunch.

When I left my full-time sales job in 2021, I honestly had this vision that suddenly I’d have so much more time—more time to focus on the business, more flexibility, and somehow more family time too. What I learned very quickly is that entrepreneurship doesn’t exactly work that way. If anything, the business can become all-consuming because there’s always something that needs attention, something to improve, or something coming up next.

Finding that balance between work and personal life has probably been one of the hardest ongoing challenges, because when it’s your business, it’s hard to fully shut it off. You care deeply, you’re invested in every detail, and your mind is always thinking ahead. I’m still learning that balance, honestly, and I think most business owners probably are.

And of course, events love to keep you humble—weather changes, timelines shift, things don’t always fit where they’re supposed to fit, and you learn very quickly how to adapt with a smile.

Now the challenges look different than they did in the beginning. Back then I was trying to fit everything into my car; now I’m managing a warehouse, a team, and much larger events. But every stage has taught me something—and usually given me a story I can laugh about later.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business specializes in creating custom event décor that helps people celebrate in a way that feels elevated, memorable, and personal. We’re especially known for our LED marquee letters and numbers, custom balloon installations, and statement pieces that completely transform a space and create that immediate wow factor when guests walk in.

One of the things I love most is that no two events are ever the same. Some clients come to us with a full vision and inspiration photos, while others just know the feeling they want to create—and we help bring that to life in a way that fits their style, space, and occasion. We work on everything from weddings and corporate events to birthdays, showers, school celebrations, and community events, so there’s always something new and creative happening.

As the business has grown, one of the biggest strengths of our brand is that we now have an incredible team behind it. Having a team allows us to take on more events, manage larger installations, and serve multiple clients at once while still keeping the quality and attention to detail that we’re known for. That growth has been huge because it means we’re no longer limited to what one person can physically do in a day—which, in event work, matters a lot.

I think what sets us apart is that we focus just as much on reliability as we do creativity. Beautiful décor is important, but so is communication, organization, and making the entire process easy for clients. Events already come with enough moving parts, so we take a lot of pride in being a vendor people can trust to show up, execute well, and make things feel seamless.

Brand-wise, I’m probably most proud of how much we’ve grown while still staying true to who we are. What started as a side hustle has turned into a warehouse, a strong team, and a business that continues to evolve every year—but we still care deeply about the details and the experience each client has with us.

More than anything, I want people to know that we’re not just providing décor—we’re helping create moments people remember, and that’s still the most rewarding part of what we do.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
If I’m being honest, networking has never come naturally to me because I’m naturally more of an introvert. For a long time, it felt a little uncomfortable, and I probably underestimated how important it really is when you’re building a business. But over time, I’ve realized that networking is one of the most valuable things you can do—not just for growth, but for support.

What made the biggest difference for me was finding the right groups. Not every networking environment feels like a fit, and I think that matters. I’ve been fortunate to find a wonderful group made up mostly of people in the wedding industry, and that community has truly been such a blessing. Being around people who understand the pace, the pressure, and the behind-the-scenes realities of event work makes a huge difference.

I also think it’s incredibly important to build relationships with local businesses in your own field. Some of my closest friends in business would technically be considered my competition, but honestly, together we’re all better. There is more than enough business to go around, and having relationships like that creates a level of trust and support that is hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it.

Those are the people who truly understand what this work takes, and they’re often the first to step in when needed—whether that’s sending a referral when they’re booked, helping with a large install, or even lending a bag of balloons when you suddenly realize you’re short. In an industry where so much can happen quickly, those relationships matter more than people realize.

I think my biggest advice would be: don’t force networking to look a certain way. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it’s just about showing up consistently, building genuine relationships, and finding people who value collaboration over competition. That’s where the real growth happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.partydreamstoledo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partydreamstoledo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/partydreamstoledo
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/ledmarquee_toledo