Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Konovalske.
Andrea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never set out to own an event business. Like a lot of great stories, it started by accident. What began as creating a special celebration for my own daughter quickly turned into friends asking for help, then referrals, and eventually a business that grew faster than I ever imagined.
By day, I work in clinical research, where I’ve spent more than a decade helping bring new treatments and therapies to patients. But I’ve always had a creative side that needed an outlet. Event design gave me a way to combine creativity, problem-solving, and my love for bringing people together.
In 2025, I officially launched Lifted Events. What started with balloons and small celebrations has grown into a full-service event styling company offering custom backdrops, balloon installations, catering, décor, and event experiences throughout the Kansas City area. Today, we serve everyone from families celebrating life’s milestones to corporate clients looking to create memorable experiences.
Building a business while raising three young children and maintaining a full-time career isn’t always easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Along the way, I’ve learned that people don’t just remember how an event looked—they remember how it made them feel.
My goal has always been simple: to help people celebrate the moments that matter most. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, retirement, grand opening, or baby shower, I want every client to feel seen, celebrated, and a little bit lifted.
Looking back, it’s amazing to see how a single balloon garland for my daughter grew into a business, a creative outlet, and a community of clients who trust me with some of their most meaningful moments. And honestly, I feel like we’re just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. While I’m grateful for how quickly Lifted Events has grown, there have been plenty of challenges along the way.
One of the biggest has been learning to balance entrepreneurship, a full-time career, and raising three young children. There are plenty of late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent building installations, answering client messages, creating proposals, and managing the behind-the-scenes details that most people never see.
Another challenge has been learning to wear all the hats that come with owning a business. When you’re starting out, you’re not just the designer—you’re also the marketer, accountant, customer service representative, project manager, delivery driver, setup crew, and cleanup crew. Learning those skills while continuing to grow the creative side of the business has been a constant process.
I’ve also had to learn the importance of valuing my time and expertise. Many creative entrepreneurs struggle with pricing, boundaries, and the desire to say yes to every opportunity. Over time, I’ve learned that creating an exceptional client experience requires clear expectations, strong systems, and the confidence to charge appropriately for the value being delivered.
Looking back, every challenge has taught me something valuable. The obstacles have made me a better business owner, a better leader, and a better problem solver. If anything, they’ve reinforced my belief that growth doesn’t happen when everything is easy—it happens when you’re willing to keep showing up, learning, and moving forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the owner and creative director of Lifted Events, I specialize in transforming ordinary spaces into memorable experiences. While many people know us for our balloon installations and custom backdrops, what I truly love is designing celebrations that feel personal, intentional, and unique to each client. From birthdays and baby showers to weddings, retirements, corporate events, and grand openings, my goal is to create moments that people remember long after the event is over.
What makes Lifted Events different is that we offer more than décor—we help create an experience. We combine event styling, custom installations, catering, signage, and thoughtful details to bring a client’s vision to life. Whether I’m creating a luxury wedding backdrop, a large-scale corporate activation, or an intimate family celebration, I approach every event with the same level of care and creativity.
I think what I’m most proud of is how quickly the business has grown through referrals and repeat clients. There is no greater compliment than having someone trust you with multiple milestones in their lives or recommend you to their family, friends, and colleagues. That trust means everything to me.
What sets me apart is a combination of creativity and execution. Having a background outside the event industry has taught me to think strategically, stay organized, and solve problems quickly. I’m not just focused on how something looks—I’m focused on how it functions, how guests will experience it, and how every piece comes together.
At the end of the day, beautiful décor is important, but my favorite part of this work is helping people celebrate life’s biggest moments. Being invited into those milestones is something I never take for granted, and it’s what continues to inspire me every day.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the middle child, which probably explains a lot. I was outgoing, a bit of a class clown, and always happiest when I was surrounded by people. I loved making others laugh and rarely took life too seriously.
Sports played a huge role in my childhood and young adult years. I spent years playing competitive softball and eventually continued my athletic career in college as a track athlete. Sports taught me discipline, teamwork, resilience, and how to push through challenges—lessons that still serve me well today as a business owner and working professional.
I’ve also always been an animal lover. Some of my favorite memories growing up involve animals, and I’ve never really outgrown that part of myself. Along with that, family has always been incredibly important to me. I grew up in a close-knit family, and those relationships continue to be one of the most important parts of my life.
Looking back, I think I’ve always been a mix of creativity, competitiveness, and connection. I loved being active, trying new things, and spending time with the people I cared about most. In many ways, not much has changed. Today, I still thrive on building relationships, creating meaningful experiences, and finding joy in bringing people together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.lifted-events.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liftedeventsllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EFfqE8qRT/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/HxhRdkRgAm
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifted.events
