The Bright Balloon

Latest Episodes:

290. Major expansion | Allison of TUFTEX Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Kicking off this curated month by TUFTEX, I'm chatting once again with Allison, the owner of TUFTEX! She's giving us a ton of behind the scenes info on their new products, plus where and how they've expanded since she last came on the podcast.

First, I asked her to walk us through their acquisition of a balloon factory in Canada. I really appreciated her honesty about the learning curve that was involved, and it was fascinating to hear how the acquisition required not just latex recipe updates, but process updates more than anything. She'll also tell us how the changes have impacted their marketing strategy and how she hopes will impact their reach.

Then, I was so thrilled that Allison spilled the beans about some items we can expect soon: TUFTEX Effects and Links! Plus, she drops info on TUFTEX Tuesdays, Hip Hopping in Houston in March and of course the TUFTEX Experience in July! I learned a ton and am very excited about what I heard in this conversation… I'm guessing you will be, too!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for using water weights.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: TUFTEX | Events

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)

Balloon Suite

2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

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288. That worked! Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

This episode is a list of wins people had from tips in the podcast interviews! I'm so grateful to the guests who shared those tips & congrats to everyone who put them to use & saw growth because of it!

Episodes are listed below and are easily searchable at thebrightballoon.com/episodes! I also share what's in store for the podcast in 2025!

In the UGlu Hotline, hear how one listener makes signs for her vehicle that communicate loading info.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT) | Twist Fest

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

I booked a 100K job! (bonus episode)

101 - Pumpkin Planning Your Balloon Business

251 - Wowlloons

201 - Confetti Castle

100 - Treb

Episodes w/ Creative Heart Studio

265 - Presley Paige

271 - Zac

157 - Banzi Balloons

245 - Clik-Clik

257 - Balloon Coach

180 - Designs by Jo Jo's Creations

164 - Tuftex

253 - Blush Balloon Party Shop

214 - LaMarvelous Balloons

131 - Extra Betty

147 - Partistry Balloons

146 - Balloons by Misti

176 - Balloons by Tommy

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287. Neon Nation | Tiffany of LED Marquee Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Since recording this episode, I've had the pleasure of hanging out with Tiffany at Balloon Boss Summit and seeing her LED Marquees in action. Wow, are they cool! Listen in as we chat about this very neat option you may consider adding to your inventory.

Tiffany tells us how her marquees were designed to give a different vibe than the traditional incandescent marquees, as she looked to stand out in "Neon Nashville". Hear more about what they knew they needed in the design and how they had balloon artists in mind all along. You'll also hear about how she's operating her own service-based business with these marquees, which makes it easy for her to understand our needs.

Then she tells us about the licensing model they chose over franchising and wholesaling, because they wanted their marquees to be a symbol of quality service. Hear more about the kinds of assets you receive upon licensing, the territory protection and what it's like to become part of the "Neon Nation" family.

Then in the UGlu Hotline, there's a tip for a really creative way to improve the reviews you get from your customers!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT) | Twist Fest

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

PremiumConwin

NOW AVAILABLE! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Open an LED Marquee location

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285. Competing to win | Edward Munoz Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Edward is one of the kindest and most talented people I have ever met. In this episode he shares his inspiring story of bringing his balloon business to the U.S. from Venezuela, and all of the challenges he faced in the process. He's very generous with the techniques he shares on Instagram and I know everyone will have something to learn from listening to him.

You'll hear about:

His strategy for competitions
How winning one competition earned him a big opportunity
How he's juggling his full-time work for burton + Burton with his own business
Why he only goes after big & unique jobs
What he's discovered about working with corporate clients
How he mixes classic and organic styles

Some other things that were fascinating to hear was how he paid for college with his balloon income, moved across the country with three days' notice, learned English and became a citizen. What an inspiring conversation it was!

And in the UGlu Hotline, I answer a question about the best way to remove UGlu Dashes, and where I do and do not use them.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT) | Twist Fest

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

PremiumConwin

NOW AVAILABLE! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

@edward_munoz

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283. A wealth of balloon knowledge | Sue of The Very Best Balloon Blog Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Sue was one of the first people in the balloon industry that I learned from online when I started. In fact, I would bet that you've come across some of her content, too! I loved the chance to pick her brain on all the things she's experienced in the industry, plus learn about BAPIA, a membership she runs that is available in the UK, and that I wish was available in the US!

Hear how participating in a competition in Paris helped her hone her skills, gain confidence and get selected as an instructor, which she feels was her calling. She also tells us about how her blog helped her share even more helpful information on a larger scale. It's got hundreds of topics including pricing, business basics and more.

We also chat about her involvement in the CBA, design elements and principles, classic and organic and why formulas matter for each style. Then we dive into BAPIA (The Balloon & Party Industry Alliance). If you're not already familiar, you've got to hear about all of the incredible features of this membership!

We wrap things up talking about all the recent changes in our industry and her take on its causes and results. What an absolute pleasure it was to interview Sue!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, I answer a question about my most successful form of marketing.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT) | Twist Fest

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

PremiumConwin

NOW AVAILABLE! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

BAPIA | The Very Best Balloon Blog | @suebowler

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281. Moving a business | Yanira of Perfectly Wrapped Balloons Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

This episode is perhaps one of my favorite interviews of the year! I chat with Yanira of Perfectly Wrapped Balloons about how having systems and good record keeping for your company really helps in case of a sale or big transition. Yanira moved her business into a new area, several states away from her previous home and walks us through how she negotiated the sale of her client list and essentially restarted her business.

What I didn't expect to hear was all of the businesses she had even before moving Perfectly Wrapped Balloons! Hear about all of the things she's done, the cities she's worked in, some hiccups she's experienced and how she found her way in the balloon industry.

I also ask her to share about

How her family transformed their garage into a studio
What her sales were like before moving her company
What contributed most to her sales
Why it was an easy decision to move
What they looked for in a property when moving

Then we dive into the sale of her business and it was fascinating! Hear about the terms that were set, whether she worked with a lawyer, what kind of person she wanted to sell to and of course, how her organized systems made a huge difference to the sale.

She also shares what her first steps were after the move and how she started networking again. And now, she feels like she's beginning to earn referrals at the same pace she did before moving.

Huge congrats to Yanira for this accomplishment! She shared so many insightful things about this process.

And in the UGlu Hotline, I answer a question about what it's like having to transition out of Qualatex colors.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

PremiumConwin

NEW! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Let Nicole Help | @letnicolehelp

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50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

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279. Entrepreneur reality show | Jenn of Fun By The Yard Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Jenn takes us through the journey she's had in her business… from yard cards only to being convinced to take on balloon jobs for corporate clients to now handling her own team in a warehouse she still has room to grow into.

She's done some huge things in the past year, including being on a reality show for entrepreneurs, hosting The Big Balloon Build and helping at the DNC balloon drop! Hear about the selection process for the show, lessons learned and challenges that were part of it. Then, learn more about the events that transpired during her build and how she had to take a major pivot in order to make it a success.

We also chat about how she promotes her business to her local university, Notre Dame. She shares a couple of nuggets about how to make sure all of the different departments and visiting teams know about her services, which has her there nearly every week!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for applying vinyl to jumbo balloons.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

PremiumConwin

NEW! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Let Nicole Help

funbytheyard.net | FBTY on Facebook | The Blox | Zipper Mattress Bags

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50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

277. Ready-made templates | Emily of 17hats Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

In this second curated episode by Let Nicole Help, we're hearing from Emily of 17hats who is in charge of all things Marketplace. If you're not familiar, it's a place where 17hats users can buy and try all sorts of templates for their account!

Emily tells us more about the kinds of templates available and how they can help both new and long-time users. We go on to talk more about the very specific balloon-related templates ready for purchase, how installation of the templates actually works and how templates and template sellers are vetted.

I even found myself making a list of items that I wanted to search for while Emily and I were talking! Then lastly, I also loved hearing that nearly every 17hats employee is (or was) a small business owner themselves. I think it speaks a lot to their insight on our needs. I'm excited to hear how this Marketplace is just the start of what they have planned because I have a lot of respect for 17hats' dedication to small business owners.

And in the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for reusing latex balloons!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

PremiumConwin

Now available! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Let Nicole Help 17hats Marketplace listings | letnicolehelp.com | @letnicolehelp

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50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

Courses

@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

275. Boosting your customer experience | Nicole of Let Nicole Help Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

In this episode I'm chatting with my friend Nicole, who helps a lot of people with their 17hats CRM, but also with other aspects of the customer experience. I've said this before, but the more I do balloons the more I think that balloons are about 20% of the equation and the rest is how you run your business.

So we chat about some ways to give your customers a good experience, like:

How to become known to prospective customers in the first place
Using your leads' own words
Ways to help yourself get solid leads
Ways to nurture your leads & stay top of mind
Elevating their experience while fulfilling the service
Making yourself look professional in the way you collect info from your customers
How to take care of your customers after the job
How all of these things come full circle

Then as we wrap up, we focus in on three specific actions that you can take to get a jump on improving your customer experience today.

And in the UGlu Hotline, hear a good tip for site visits!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Balloon Suite

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin' A Party with code BRIGHT)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

PremiumConwin

NEW! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

5-day Customer Experience Email Course | @letnicolehelp

Car sickness glasses (they worked!)

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Get bonus episodes

50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

Freeform Freedom | More courses

@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

273. Stopping Balloons | Melody of Feathered Fox Designs Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

In this interview we'll hear about what it's like to stop providing balloon decor. Melody announced on Instagram a while back that she was no longer going to be doing installations, and in fact was beginning to count down the days to her last one.

She tells us how she was having her best year ever, in terms of sales and the clients she was working with, but behind the scenes was struggling physically with an old injury that progressively got worse. Hear about all of the options she considered, and why she opted for an actual announcement over quietly closing down the business. Then she also tells us what she's up to now, in the short term, as she discovers what her next big thing is.

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