Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Watkins.
Hi Heather, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After moving to St. George, I was homeschooling, and whenever we saw hot air balloons in the sky, we’d hop in the car to chase them. For our anniversary, my husband surprised me with a balloon ride — I was so nervous but beyond excited. The moment we lifted off, I fell in love with everything about it.
I started crewing for the company we flew with, and one day the pilot said, “You could become a pilot.” So I got my student certificate, and just a week later, my 15-year-old daughter got hers too. I bought a brand-new Cameron balloon and trained on it until I earned my private pilot certificate.
My husband then encouraged me to go commercial since I loved taking all my friends flying — and that’s how the company began. I never imagined I’d one day own my own balloon business! That summer, Lilly turned 16 and earned her private certificate while still in high school. She had to wait until 18 to go commercial, but now we fly together every day the weather allows — always private flights, always sharing the magic.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some of the biggest challenges I’ve faced came from a few older pilots who tried to bully me when I first started out. It wasn’t easy—there were many times I felt like giving up. But my love for flying, doing it alongside my daughter, and seeing the smiles on people’s faces kept me going.
Ballooning can be surprisingly political, and it’s often a hot topic in Facebook groups about why some people eventually walk away. But for me, the joy, the community, and the memories we create in the sky make it all worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Confetti Balloons ?
At Confetti Balloons, you can always count on either me or my daughter to be your pilot — it’s truly a family-run adventure. My husband is usually my crew chief, with our youngest daughter — who’s been helping since she was just seven years old — crewing alongside him. Our second son is Lilly’s crew chief, and when we fly both balloons, a close family friend sometimes joins in to lend a hand. No matter what, it’s always our family making the magic happen.
We specialize in private flights only — no strangers in your basket — all for the same price others charge for shared flights with up to eight people. Whether it’s just the two of you or a group of six, we love sharing our passion for ballooning and creating unforgettable memories in the sky.
We also own a special shape balloon — a dog modeled after our real-life pup, Churro. I didn’t want a cartoon-style balloon, so Lilly said, “Let’s make a Churro balloon!” I saved every penny to pay for her envelope, which was quite the investment, but so worth it. Our dog truly loves to fly — she’s the ultimate balloon dog! We’re proud to be the first to create a realistic animal balloon, not just a cartoon version.
Today, we own seven balloons and travel around the world to different balloon events — spreading joy, sharing the magic of ballooning, and helping other communities celebrate the wonder of ballooning. Every flight, every festival, and every smile reminds us why we love what we do.
What makes you happy?
It’s such a joy to run a business with my family and watch my kids get genuinely excited about ballooning. It’s teaching them strong work ethics while allowing us to laugh, smile, and spend time together doing what we love. The best part of it all is seeing our passengers’ faces light up with pure joy — especially when they conquer their fears and realize just how magical ballooning can be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.confettiballoonsutah.com
- Instagram: Confetti.pebbles
- Facebook: Confetti Hot Air Balloons-St.George utah
