Page 124 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2023

MICHELLE SEKUL
PRETTY PUMPED BALLOON DESIGNS
Pretty Pumped Balloon Designs PrettyPumpedDesigns@gmail.com Facebook @Pretty Pumped Balloon Design
Even though she works full-time at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Michelle Sekul decided to pursue her passion on the side: decorating for parties. “I love celebrations and think they’re not complete without festive décor,” she explains. “I always wanted to be a party planner, but realized I had a talent for designing balloon garlands after a friend taught me some very basic balloon skills.”
Sekul asked a friend if she could decorate for her birthday party. “After her party, I started getting calls to do parties for other people and decided that I could do this,” Sekul says.
Sekul’s advice for future business women is to just do it! “Don’t be afraid to fail, because you will. It is all trial and error and it’s scary at times, but you can do it!”
LAURA LACOSTE
RAIN RESIDENTIAL
228.918.2969
www.raindev.com | laura@raindev.com
Inspired by the success of her big sister, Amie, Laura Lacoste took a leap of faith, and it paid off. “I allowed myself to dream bigger and take my own leap from a solid 20-year career in physical therapy into the world of real estate.”
Now with Rain Residential, Lacoste is enjoying every
day on the job. “I think the best part is how it all comes together,” she says. “I love that moment when I get to experience the joy and excitement or much-needed relief wash over my clients’ faces when they lay that pen down at the closing table.”
Her best advice? “As a reformed chronic people pleaser, I have a little mantra that I borrowed from a dear friend in recent years: ‘clear is kind.’ This gem could have saved me a lot on Botox!”
Lacoste has two sons and says being their mom is what she hopes and prays will be her greatest successes. “It is certainly my greatest joy.”
124 | September 2023 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living