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133. Your balloon business website | Jeff from Balloon Suite Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Jeff has been on the show before, but previously representing his umbrella company, Asset Lab. And some of us remember Balloon Suite from years past... well Jeff and his team have taken it under their wing, and I am so delighted to have him as a huge supporter of the show and our balloon community.

In this episode we talk about how his team can help balloon business owners move past doing business via only referral networks or social media profiles, and establish their business with a website and marketing that brings brand new leads in.

When you listen in you'll hear the wealth of experience Jeff and his team have working in our industry. Not just with websites, but SEO, ads and more. And although my tendency is to be more frugal and DIY as much as I can, I've noticed more and more over time that working with contractors like Jeff who already know the industry can make things happen so much faster.

We also talk about Grab and Go Garlands and how his team is able to incorporate scheduling platforms like 17hats within their Balloon Suite website templates. But if you aren't currently using a CRM, their e-commerce plan can make it happen, too!

Finally, Jeff gives us some great tips for our home pages, which kind of blew my mind!

since social media has trained us to endlessly scroll, our home pages can be set up the same way
address your target markets, in order of priority, as you make your way down the page
have a call to action for those who make it all the way down to your website footer
don't be afraid to narrow in on exactly the type of customer you want to work with

If you're ready to get serious with your marketing strategy, get in touch with Balloon Suite to see how they can help!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

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132. I quit my job Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

I've had a day job for as long as I've been doing balloons, but as of now... I'm officially self-employed! After 10 years at my former employer I realized it was time to resign. It was never even something that was a goal of mine, but as things got busier with balloons and this podcast, my day job quickly became the thing that I enjoyed the least.

Some of the things that helped me decide it was time to leave were:

the book club books
the realization that the benefits weren't as good as it seemed
practicing some thoughts about what full-time entrepreneurship is actually like

Through the books and many conversations, I realized that what I had been holding onto as the "safer" choice (my day job) was actually just the lazy choice. It became clear that I was "quiet quitting" for some time and it didn't feel good or fair to not show up as my best self every day.

After some encouragement from my husband, once the idea of leaving was out there I couldn't stop thinking about it. Puzzle pieces started to come together for me and within a week of putting an end date on the calendar, I moved that end date up by three months!

This is not to say that it didn't involve some hurdles. I had to get myself past the overwhelm of looking for private insurance. But thanks to the interview with Hayley (of Pop! Balloon Bar & Party) I knew I could start with a consultant to help me through the process.

Once I had a quote it seems like everything just magically got into place for me. And I knew that if I let myself think about it for too long I would find a reason to stay, so I put in my resignation that same afternoon.

Some other more practical things I had done that helped me make this huge life change possible were:

Saving a year of income in the bank
Using nearly all my balloon sales of the past several years to eliminate our debt
Getting the details about what departure from my day job would actually look like
Having conversations with financial professionals about what it means for taxes, retirement, etc.

In the month between having given my notice and actually leaving, I was expecting to feel some panic and regret… and while some nervousness did sink in, never have I felt regret.

Here are some of the things I've reminded myself of in order to avoid those feelings:

My earning potential is far greater with balloons than at my job
It's OK to finally splurge on a few business expenses I've always wanted, rather than suddenly hoard money
Working for a company doesn't actually mean more security; I could be laid off at any moment
If I run out of money, I can always go get another job
Life is short!

I've also taken some time to write down a ton of thoughts I've had since I put in my resignation, and share them (unedited) in this episode!

From the pressure that came, to vacations, to time with my daughter... I share a ton of what I've been feeling since my notice. I hope my experience helps motivate or comfort anyone who is going through similar things!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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Ep. 74. Self-Employment | Hayley from Pop! Balloon Bar & Party

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Bonus Episode | February Book of the Month Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!

Join here!

Last month, we read Get Different by Mike Michalowicz. This episode is a brief overview of the key takeaways!

Thanks to our sponsors!

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

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

BalloonCoach.com

131. Working with a spouse | Elizabeth & Adam of Extra Betty Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

I've had my eye on Elizabeth's designs for so long and when I saw that her husband Adam left his full-time job to work in their business, Extra Betty, I knew I wanted to bring them on the show!

Here's an overview of what we talked about!

Their business story: from laid off, to consistent growth in two years, to Elizabeth staying at her full-time job, Adam leaving his and the complex emotions that causes.

The decision to go all-in: we discovered our very similar thoughts about how the idea of "safety" in work has changed over time. How being open to the idea that there is a better way of living has changed our lives.

The roles they play (in the business and family): who does the creative, the tech, the production and the customer service... and also how they support each other when the other is unsure how to fulfill a customer's vision.

Their workspace: how they decided to move the workspace out of their home and where they landed. We also talk about how the space works in terms of storage and production versus retail, and how they grew their way up to having their van. (Plus, how Adam is now able to fulfill his dream of bicycling to work!)

Their social media and resources: their entertaining reels that are more than just the latest trend, plus some awesome tutorials they've created. Follow them @extrabetty and use the link below to find it all!

This interview was so fun and I'm thrilled to have made these new friends! Thanks, Elizabeth & Adam!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

Extra Betty Tutorials

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130. Posting with purpose Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

It can be really hard to keep up with social media! Not only that, but I think nothing can derail your confidence faster than scrolling on Instagram.

Yet, social media does give us an opportunity to market our business for free. So I'm always trying to find ways to feel better about my approach to it.

I first heard the phrase "posting with purpose" at Balloon Boss Summit and it's been my focus for social media since. Any time I'm unsure of what to post or say, I come back to this phrase and feel like it gives me control.

I now look at a new post simply as a task to do before I go about the rest of my day. It takes discipline, and means that I'm less engaged with other accounts right now, but I've found it's better than avoiding social media altogether or getting sucked in for hours.

Another shift I've had is going from "what should I post?" to "why am I posting?". For example, winter is pretty slow for sales here in Wisconsin so I want people to start thinking ahead to graduation season and booking me for that.

This means I'm posting less of the elaborate, custom designs and more of the standard columns, party poles, etc. that are more aligned with graduation parties.

Not only am I putting more emphasis on the why, but also the where. Thinking about your target audience can really help to inform where your posts should land. I've even taken up posting to LinkedIn when I know I've got a big corporate event coming up!

This leads me right into my next point. I really don't think it's useful to try to move your followers from one platform to another. If you're going to move them anywhere, send them to your email list! You're in way more control with your email list than any social platform out there.

I also suggest keeping questions of other balloon artists in direct messages or groups. Since all comments are public, it's important to remember that customers can see it all, and that doesn't exactly look good for either balloon artist to have those conversations in front of them.

And we couldn't talk about posting with purpose without a few practical tips, too! Using a scheduler for your social media naturally sets you up to post with purpose because it involves some planning.

Some shy away from schedulers because of the ever-changing algorithms, but I've decided not to concern myself with that right now because I'd rather schedule something than forget to post anything at all!

Finally, remember to post what you want to sell! It seems self explanatory, but I'm constantly guilty of posting items that I don't actually enjoy selling.

I've started to take pictures along the way so that I have examples of what are essentially "basic" and "deluxe" versions of the same job. Then I'm able to showcase pieces of that install without attracting more requests for elaborate setups.

I hope these thoughts help you land on a social media strategy that doesn't leave you feeling overwhelmed!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

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129. Working in a city | Jam of Garden Place Balloons Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Having gone to New York City for New Year's Eve recently, my mind was kind of blown thinking about running a balloon business in a city that has that much traffic and congestion! So Jam of Garden Place Balloons (in Queens) comes on the show to tell us about some of the ways working in a big city have impacted decisions he's made in his business.

We talk about:

how he outsources some of the physical labor, and is implementing automation to help him as a solopreneur
how he needs to schedule his decor jobs if they're in the heart of the city
the creation of and relationships built through The Balloon Ball (collaboration with Dolly & Eddie of @delloons, Magali of @mpballoonsdecor, Nicolle of @poparazziballoons, Shanay of @balloonsbysb, Jazzmine of @theballoonriver and Jessie of @mommywithscissors)
the journey towards getting his shop just the way he wants and needs it
how he worked his way up to get such huge, elaborate installations
the difference between working directly with customers vs. event planners
how he utilizes his website to display his work and attract the right people

While we were chatting I was browsing his website and was totally mesmerized by some of his work! This interview was a long time coming and even if you don't do business in a large city I know you will pick up some awesome tips to implement in your balloon business.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

BalloonCoach.com & Balloon Boss Mastermind

Balloon Ball on Instagram @nycbb2023

Garden Place Balloons @gardenplaceballoons

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128. Working with a business partner | Jenny of Three Sparrows Balloon Studio Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Jenny is the owner of Three Sparrows Balloon Studio in Ontario and has an interesting business model that I wanted to hear more about! Her balloon studio is actually a subdivision of The Fete Studio, which she owns 50/50 with her business partner Mel.

They came into the business with different strengths and interests, and continue to operate using those same strengths to this day. Jenny tells us all about:

why she went for a business partner instead of hiring someone
the details of their business setup
how having a business partner reminds her of the whole purpose of her business
the built-in time benefits of having a business partner
their physical workspace setup
how they handle the money
the markets they participate in that bring in sales and inspiration

We also spent some time chatting about how we each use 17hats as our CRM and how it helps us with our sales processes and communications (internally and externally).

We talk about our journeys that got us to be balloon business owners, some eye-opening moments we had along the way and events like Balloon Boss Summit that make being a balloon business owner so fun, humbling and incredibly rewarding.

And if you're following the happenings of the Big Balloon Build I'm hosting, you might already know that Jenny is playing a major role in the build! From concept to creation, she's putting in so much time for this build and I'm so grateful. We hope to connect for another interview after it's finished, too!

It was so great to have her on the show, and I hope that if you've been considering a business partner, the experiences and knowledge she's shared will help you figure out your next step!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Havin' A Party Wholesale Flange (save 5% with code BRIGHT) & Teachable Moment

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Bonus Episode and HUGE life update | January Book of the month Feb 02, 2023

Show notes

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!

Join here!

Last month, we read Do Less by Kate Northrup. This episode is a brief overview of the key takeaways and a huge life update!

Thanks to our sponsors!

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

126. Lessons we should unlearn as business owners Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

Some of the phrases that we hear over and over again in business can actually be pretty damaging to our business, our mindset and our self esteem. This episode is going to debunk these phrases in order to help you stand your ground and build your business in a way that works for you!

Phrase #1: "The customer is always right".

I feel like I've heard this one since childhood! But it totally strips away the fact that you've developed an expertise for your craft and your industry. If you think about this type of phrase being used in other industries outside of customer service, it would simply never fly!

In fact, many times our customers admit that they are a bit clueless as to what to order and how to put together their decor. These are my favorite types of customers because it allows me to show them how impactful balloons can be for their event.

Phrase #2: "Under promise and over deliver".

This one can really get you into trouble, and here's why:

it means you're undercharging
it forces you to over deliver for that customer time and time again

I'm a true believer that just doing exactly what you said you were going to do will still put you above a lot of the competition.

Phrase #3: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks".

I think we all know by now that if you don't keep up with the trends (and even the technology) of the industry, you're going to lose business quickly. Sometimes it's beneficial to stick to what works, but sometimes it's flat out resistance to moving forward.

I do, at times, feel myself turning into an "old dog" in certain areas of my business, but I'm committed to keeping my eyes and ears open to the different ways of doing things. I encourage you to do the same!

Phrase #4: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Yikes. I think this one is really unhealthy! And yes, I'm calling out our social feeds. There's just no reason to fill our feeds and our days with pictures of things that bother us. I can't find anything beneficial about it.

How about we just keep our friends close and care less about our enemies?

Phrase #5: "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life".

So this one is a yes and no from me... I get where it's coming from, but there are still, and always will be, hard days in business.

I'm here to try and normalize the idea that we all go through times when we aren't quite sure if we've made the best decisions. If we're doing something wrong because we're not happy every minute of every day while running our businesses.

I can almost promise you that by sharing your hard times with people who understand, you'll bounce back so much faster than you ever could by yourself!

Phrase #6: "You are not your ideal client".

This one might not be a popular opinion. I spent so long in the mindset that I wasn't my own ideal client. But after learning about money archetypes from Denise Duffield-Thomas, and areas of innovation from Mike Michalowicz, I've changed my ways.

I've identified that I'm all about convenience and I'm doing all I can to attract customers that feel the same way. In fact, I think there is an advantage to knowing that you are your ideal client. It's given me a lot of clarity for how to do things in my business.

Phrase #7: "A rising tide floats all boats".

So this one basically suggests that as the industry grows, it's better for everybody. I do think it's true, but I also think it's different from the idea that "we're all in this together".

The reality is that we're all still running businesses. I may have put myself in the position of being an industry educator who is transparent and open, but that definitely doesn't mean that all businesses are the same. They are simply focused on their own business... and that's ok!

I hope we can all remember that yes, the more good balloon art that is out there will help us all, and if we can commit to keeping the competition healthy we can all grow our businesses in the way that feels best for each of us!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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Ep. 92 Free ways to over serve

Ep. 105 Money Archetypes

Ep. 107 What are your money sabotages?

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