Sonya Curtis owns and runs Party Piece, an independent creator of Balloon Décor for family celebrations and corporate events.
Their strapline is “We put the ‘art’ in Party” and, as you’ll see at the end of this interview, they do exactly that!
If you’d like to see more of Sonya’s creations, visit partypiece.net
Read on to find out why you should never mess with Sonya!
What one piece of advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Life may take you down some unexpected paths, but they all help to make you what you can become.
You find £20 down the back of the sofa, what do you spend it on?
Some people’s weakness is new shoes – but for me it’s a new hat!
If you could spend 20 minutes with a successful or famous businessperson, who would you choose and why?
Deborah Meaden – she would probably frighten me to death, but I do admire her, and boy does she know her stuff!
If you could be stuck in a lift with any two people, who would you choose and why?
The national treasures that are/were David Attenborough and Victoria Wood – I don’t think any explanation is required!
Where do you see yourself in 20 years’ time?
Not sharing how old I’ll be, but I should be well-retired by then!
What’s been your personal highlight since joining 2020?
It’s got to be last year when I was part of a group wrapping Christmas presents at the Children’s Adventure Farm and met some children arriving for their Christmas party. Their faces just lit up as they were greeted – in a flurry of snow – by the CAFT mascots, including the cuddliest penguin, and a giant Christmas tree! Priceless!
What’s the best thing about being a member of 2020?
Through my 10 years of membership, I’ve met a great group of talented and supportive businesswomen to share ideas with and do business with, but this is networking with a difference. To be part of a group that have raised thousands of pounds for the amazing charity that is the Children’s Adventure Farm (CAFT), is really wonderful.
You have 20 days’ holiday to spend away from your business, where and how will you spend it?
We’ve recently been watching James May’s series on Japan and my husband has always wanted to go there.
What will you be doing at (the time) 20:20 tomorrow evening?
Chillin’ in front of the telly!
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in their first 2 years of business?
You WILL make mistakes – but just see them as part of the learning curve. Don’t worry about competitors, in time they can become your allies. Get out there as much as possible to let people know what you do.
You can have 2 minutes with a famous person. Who would you choose to spend it with and why?
It would have to be David Essex – he was my teen dream! One of my besties and I used to go to his concerts, and to the cinema to watch his films over and over and over again. She’s still my bestie…and he’s still got it!
Tell us 2 things the rest of the 2020 members might not know about you.
I used to make my own clothes, which I would love to have time to do again.
I used to do Karate and attained a first degree brown belt – two grades away from black belt.
Share with us the 20th photo on your mobile phone!
This is a balloon arrangement we created for a wedding celebration.
Looks beautiful Sonya! Thanks for sharing it with us. The next member to sit in the hot seat will be Laura Gilchrist.