Oxford Balloon Business Expands After Pharmacy Career

The Balloon Lab grows its local footprint as founder Ashley Crumby pivots from pharmacy to full-time entrepreneurship.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A sculptural installation of vibrant balloons positioned within a sunlit, historic red brick archway in a town setting. — Ashley Crumby is expanding her Oxford-based business, The Balloon Lab, as she pivots from a pharmaceutical career to full-time entrepreneurship. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is it realistic for professionals to change career paths entirely after a decade of specialized training?

Ashley Crumby has transitioned from a career in pharmacy to operating The Balloon Lab in Oxford full-time. The company recently expanded its operations to support multiple sororities and tailgating events.

Why it matters

The business model succeeds by applying scientific analytical discipline to logistics, material durability, and cost control. This shift follows a successful university campus commission that signaled a demand for high-end event installations.

The Balloon Lab employs a team of 25 people during peak operations and serves 4 sororities for Bid Day. Installations frequently require the use of boom lifts to reach building heights of up to 30 feet.

The players

Ashley Crumby

She is the founder of The Balloon Lab and holds four degrees, including a Ph.D. in pharmacy administration.

The details

The business tracks client specifications including material costs and dimensions in detailed notebooks to maintain consistency. In addition to balloon art, Crumby has diversified by acquiring a company that provides illuminated marquee letters.

Ashley Crumby arrived at Ole Miss in 2003.
Crumby returned to Ole Miss for graduate school in 2013.
The Balloon Lab launched in October 2022.
The firm completed its first major Bid Day installation for Kappa Delta in 2023.
The company team reached a size of 25 people during 2026.

Market Landscape

The Balloon Lab follows the broader trend of independent vendors capitalizing on the consistent, high-demand event culture of university environments. This move positions the firm to compete for lucrative contracts within the active campus social calendar.

Customers can expect specialized, large-scale design work for major campus events and tailgates. The expansion of the firm's team suggests increased availability for private event bookings in the Oxford area.

The takeaway

Entrepreneurs can find success by leveraging specialized professional skills in entirely new, creative industries. Applying a formal scientific background to the logistics of event planning can provide a competitive edge in managing material costs and durability.