Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Hardy.
Hi Julie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started out as a volunteer for Box of Balloons in 2022. In January of 2025, there was a call out for new leaders for Box of Balloons. I decided I was ready to raise my hand to take on a leadership role with this wonderful mission. I came on board in March of 2025 as a tri-leader. In May of 2025, it was announced that Box of Balloons was going to dissolve at all levels nationally and locally. I loved and was passionate about our mission, creating birthday parties in a box for children ages 1-12 who other wise would not be celebrated. So, while I was in Virginia, visiting my brother and sister in-law, I got busy creating a new non-profit. I named it The Birthday Bash Project. i I am the sole person who leads this non-profit. I do not take any wages for the work I do for this organization.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It defiantly has not been a smooth road. After just being onboard for 2 months as a leader, the original nonprofit dissolved. It has been a quick and furious introduction to the nonprofit world. The first challenge I had was, creating the new nonprofit. It was not as easy as one thinks. My most challenging part of it all, is fundraising. When the original nonprofit dissolved, the national organization kept all of the funds our chapter had in the bank. I started over with the supplies that I had on hand. Fundraising has been the greatest challenge for me. It is not one of my talents or a role I am comfortable in. The newest struggle, will be juggling a new full time job and running the nonprofit. There will be bumps along the way, but I will make it work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I went to school to be a teacher. I have always loved teaching and being with children. They bring me so much joy. I have worked in all areas of early childhood educations, from having an in-home childcare to building a childcare center from the ground up to working in large cooperate childcare centers. When I had my own children, I decided to stay at home and be their first teacher. I loved being home with my children. I was very lucky to have the choice to stay home, not all families are able to choose that path. I am a natural entertainer and leader. I love to bake, decorate, create, solve problems, and share my talents with others.. When my children were in middle school, I found I had to much time on my hands. I needed a new purpose. I went back into the work force for a few years. I found, I was better suited working for myself, in the early childhood field. So, I opened a preschool at the height of Covid. It was a wonderful 2 years, back teaching other peoples children. I was most proud of my abilities to always adapt to the situation given to me. I am also proud of my abilities to connect with children and the older population. Both of these groups bring me so much joy and happiness. They both are true to themselves and genuine. In 2022, I decided to close my preschool due to needing another surgery on my foot. I am a go getter and determined person. I believe this has been my f=greatest strength to get me to where I am today. I lead a wonderful nonprofit providing birthday joy to 1-12 year old children and I will be returning to the the early childhood filed as a Child Care Licensing Specialist for Cass county. I will be able to continue to be a positive influence for community childcare providers and our future, the children in our communities.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is that the people in my life feel seem, valued, loved, and cherished- and that they know I will always be right there with them, until my last breath. If I had to sum it up into one word, it would be connection. It is very important to me that people know I truly care about them and about who they are, not just what they accomplish. I want the people around me, especially the children and families I serve, to feel supported, remembered, and never alone. At the end of the day, relationships are what matter most to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebirthdaybashproject.org
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/p/The-Birthday-Bash-Project-Fargo-ND-61577015574984/
