Stay ConnectedWelcome to The Bright Balloon, a podcast where Sara Meyer shares bright ideas for your balloon business!
I want you to make more money, eliminate stress and learn along with me as we grow our creative businesses together! Welcome to The Bright Balloon
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.
Other topics we talk about included:
I really appreciated Melody’s openness and honesty about this decision and the process, and since I know we all feel burnt out every so often, there’s likely some parts of her experience that you’ll relate to as well.
And in the UGlu Hotline, get a tip for when you’re participating in a parade!
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NEW! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner
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ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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In this episode I’m interviewing someone who has been in balloons for the same amount of time as me… it’s my husband! Someone on Instagram had suggested the idea and we rolled with it. After all, he’s had a front row seat to Wisconsin Balloon Decor (and all my business ideas) from the very beginning so it was fun to have him share his experience.
And since the idea originated on Instagram, I went back to the source for questions I should ask Zac, and I think anyone who also has a spouse or significant other along for the ride will enjoy hearing his perspective.
Zac and I talk about:
Bear with us in the beginning as we fight through a bit of awkwardness, but we share openly about running the business while juggling kids and so much more. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, you’ll hear about a banking option that has helped one artist implement the Profit First method.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
NEW! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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Max has been all over my Instagram lately so I was so happy to chat with him in this episode about some of the ways he aims to stand out from the crowd… including how he is starting to become a one-stop shop!
His fascination with balloons started when he was young and the store he would visit became an early inspiration for him. Then he came back to balloons for entertainment as times got tough… not knowing that he would one day start his own balloon business.
After getting degrees in hospitality and event management, the pandemic then halted that career and led him to finally take the leap into business ownership. Hear about his first paid jobs that really let his creativity lead the way. Now, he’s got a small team and has incorporated quite a lot of rental items into what he offers so he can serve his clients in the way they need.
He shares with us the strategy for purchasing those items and growing his inventory… not just for the sake of growing his inventory, but with unique items he’s not seeing others around him offering. Then we chat even more about finding ways to differentiate ourselves in our areas and how he’s starting to put his event management skills to the test!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for renting marquees out to other vendors.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
NEW! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
momentsbymax.com | @momentsbymax_ | Moments By Max; Balloon Décor
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This week’s episode is a little different because it’s another group interview - this time with the ladies of the mastermind I’m in. If you’ve been listening to the bonus episodes you have probably heard a little bit about the idea of a mastermind, and today, we’re sharing everything about ours!
You’ll get the name of the book that inspired it all, how Tiffany (Confetti Castle) determined who to invite, how many of us are in the group, how often we meet and details on the actual structure of our discussions.
Several in the group mentioned how they had some self doubt about whether they could contribute in a meaningful way, but you’ll hear how that quickly diminished as our conversations got going. And we’re honest about it… sometimes the group needs to give some constructive criticism to our partners and I think we’re all so glad that we have the respect for one another to receive that feedback without getting upset. I share a couple of challenges I’ve had with being a part of the group and how I plan to adjust my approach for our second “round”.
It was really fun to recap some of our biggest takeaways thanks to the accountability and ideas shared in our mastermind. I really hope this episode inspires you and provides you with some good tips for creating your own masterminds! They really can be a powerful tool and safe space for taking your business to the next level with like-minded people who really understand your situation.
In the UGlu Hotline, hear about a great way to secure your garlands to the floor.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
NEW! 2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
The Common Path to Uncommon Success by John Lee Dumas
Coming soon: Balloon Garland Kit Guide from Hip Hip Array
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Have you seen the massive sorority balloon installs from Arkansas? Well this episode’s guest is Maggie of Presley Paige and she and her team are the ones behind so many of these mind-blowing jobs. She also has a retail store that you’ll hear about! I learned so much from this interview and know that you’ll pick up some gems as well.
Her business actually started as a retail shop and over time they added balloon decor services because of all the customer requests. Hear about how she learned technique and why her team was so crucial as they grew quickly.
Then we dive into the sorority installs that went viral for her in 2022. If you haven’t seen them, check out her Instagram to see entire mansions dripping with balloons! She also shares with us a really unique way that she was able to do these incredible installations for sororities with smaller budgets, plus how she uses them as marketing.
Maggie goes on to share more about her corporate and private jobs, what actual tools they use for the huge installations, some additional things she’s started doing to help her manage bid day work and the amazing benefits she’s able to offer her team.
But you’ve also gotta hear how she positioned herself to be debt-free from the get-go! Huge kudos to everything Maggie has done to dream, establish and build a very cool business.
Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear a good tip for removing dashes when they’re feeling extra sticky.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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In the final installment of our month of interviews curated by BalloonCoach.com, we’re hearing from Dori of Total Party. There’s a good chance that if you’ve been a part of any online training in our industry, you know Dori because she’s so generous with her knowledge and experience and she loves to learn!
She tells us about the party business she had as a teenager and how her experience with project management in the corporate scene melded together to transition her into corporate events, which then led to Total Party. Hear about the niche she started with and how it’s since changed.
Dori also shares some of the difficulties she had transitioning from being the event coordinator, to providing all of the decor herself, to then focusing solely on balloons. With my own personal experience in discontinuing services, I know how hard that can be so I was thankful she was willing to share her experience, too.
We then chat about the benefits of being able to reach certain milestones in your business, what types of things can attract new customers, doing our best to practice work-life balance and the importance of being willing to ask for help or seek out solutions that are already available to us.
It’s no surprise that this conversation with Dori was a total delight - she’s got so much to share!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for all the balloon stuffers!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
@totalparty | Total Party LLC | www.total-party.com
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In our third of curated interviews from The Balloon Coach, we’re hearing from Sheena of Dream Big Balloons. Sheena has done so much to take her business education into her own hands, and as you’ll hear, it was often before she felt “ready”. But wow, has it paid off!
We’ll hear about how balloons brought joy back into her life, how she has more than 10x’ed her business from two years ago and many of the things that got her there… all the while juggling two other jobs and being a mom and wife.
Some of those things included:
She also tells us about her space, her help, her transportation, how she experiments with new ideas, the kind of marketing she does AND even her garland recipe that I personally believe totally stands out as one of the fullest-looking, signature styles.
Then in the UGlu Hotline, we’ll hear a great tip for a water weight replacement.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
@dreambigballoonswaco | Dream Big Balloons Waco | dreambigballoonswaco.com
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This week we have another guest curated by BalloonCoach.com, and it’s Allyson from Pop Studio Balloons in Connecticut! She tells us all about how she started Pop Studio Balloons as a side hustle and has since taken herself and her husband full-time in the business. More importantly, though, she shares with us how they’ve intentionally built the business in a way that works for their life.
Hear about her hilarious first “paid” customer, the first item she sold and how she quickly dialed back her offers so that she could focus on being great at the best-sellers.
We also chat about our similar backgrounds in teaching, going to conventions as new balloon artists and of course how Balloon Boss Mastermind has helped our businesses, not just because of lots of help and advice, but mindset shifts as well.
It was so fun to hear the details of Allyson’s business growth… everything from the transition from Covid drop offs to event installations, to her branding and process improvements, to earning repeat business through great customer service and experiences, to the tipping point that allowed her husband to join her full-time. Our conversation is lengthy, but jam-packed with so many things to learn from! Thank you Allyson!
Then in the UGlu Hotline we get a tip for a good Amazon source!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
popstudioballoons.com | @popstudioballoons
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In this first of four episodes sponsored by Balloon Coach in September, we hear from the Balloon Coach herself, Joette. We have an honest conversation about what she would have done differently knowing what she knows now.
She’s actually one of the few in our industry who has purchased a balloon business, grew it and later sold it. So it’s very interesting to hear about all these phases of business that she’s experienced.
We also chat about:
Then I ask for her opinion on what the best steps are to take a part-time, home-based business to full-time and $100k in sales. She offers equipment, staff and technology-related suggestions, according to a person’s situation and goals.
It’s always a pleasure to have Joette on the show, and once again, it’s an episode packed full of good advice and encouragement.
From the UGlu Hotline, we get an idea for sticking foils together.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
ballooncoach.com | Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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We’ve never had an episode like this one! Jordanne from Julep Publicity comes on the show to tell us all about one marketing aspect I know almost nothing about. She talks about how publicity works, plus what actual resources we can explore to get other people to amplify our businesses. It gave me so many lightbulb moments!
Jordanne breaks down for us how and where publicity fits in the umbrella of all things marketing. Then she expands upon all the ways publicity happens (media features, influencer collaborations, brand partnerships, etc.) and the credibility that comes along as a result.
She offers tips about setting publicity goals, whether you’re reaching for just your local market or beyond. We talk about developing relationships with influencers, some ideas for getting the conversation going and she drops a great tip about getting an estimated cost for influencer services, too!
The conversation was so eye-opening. Whether you’re going to try doing your own PR or work with an agency like Jordanne’s, you’re going to get so much information about how to best prepare for publicity and what exactly is involved!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for buying and using bulk rubber bands.
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
Julep Publicity | @julep_publicity
Qwoted.com | connectively.us | sourceofsources.com
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I met Chrissy at the 2023 Glow Retreat and think I can speak for everyone who was in the room when I say we were shocked at the scale of her business… she is the #1 Etsy seller for balloon garlands! She also does installations, has become almost a mini distributor and has a team by her side that she manages.
As we get to talking you’ll hear how the same exact Pinterest image that was an inspiration for each of us so many years ago. Then Chrissy takes us through how that spun into the garland kits that have since made her the #1 seller in her category on Etsy. We’ll hear about her product photo shoots, her experience with retail, her team and how she got them, plus releasing control and even being ok with employees being the face of the business.
Other things we talk about include:
I find Chrissy’s ownership style so unique and very fascinating! I’m so blown away by all she’s managing and there’s a ton to learn in this episode.
Then in the UGlu Hotline, there’s a tip for getting your binder clips and clamps to blend in with your decor.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
Real Life Photos of Balloon Colors Canva Template
Balloon Clusters (save 20% with code BRIGHT)
@blushballoonevents | @blushballoonpartyshop
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Ifrah has made a big impact on my business over the past few months, specifically in terms of my branding and my website. So I knew I had to bring her on the show to share her photo shoot planning process!
Before we dive in, we’ll hear about how Ifrah’s business blossomed to the point where she decided to leave her job she otherwise loved. She even hopes to return to it after she’s grown Wowlloons enough to take a step back and let others keep the business running.
Then we dive into why she considers branding photo shoots to be so important for her business. She tells us what three outcomes she wants from each of them and the kind of impact they’ve made. I share how moving the “about me” piece of my website to a more visible spot, like she’s done, has helped people feel more connected with me right from the start.
When we start chatting about product photo shoots, you’ll hear how she plans for trends, scale and best-sellers. We also dive pretty deep into the customer and ordering experience on the website. Hear about the background she opts for, what steps she took to decide which products belong on her website, how she turns her photos into content and where she got the inspiration.
We also chat briefly about Instagram versus real life, and I’m guessing you’ll nod your head and get a little chuckle when you hear it!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, we get a tip and a great example of why you should consider interacting with other local businesses.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
The ultimate guide to planning a stunning brand photoshoot - Balloon Business Magazine
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Today’s episode is about an unfortunate situation. Rachael of It’s Your Day Balloons had a vendor relationship go south and we hear what happened, why and how she was able to learn from the experience. I appreciate her coming on the show to tell her story and I know there is a lesson for us all in it.
Before we dive into the relationship gone south, you’ll also get to hear how she transitioned into balloons from being a real estate agent and how that job has now become her side hustle! She also shared how she spent some time renting out furniture for events but has since discontinued many of those offerings.
Then we dive into the hot topic…
Rachael tells us how a new and budding partnership even turned into running promotions together, before suddenly she noticed her partner posting about more and more jobs with balloons that Rachael hadn’t done. Then came broken promises and undercutting prices.
In the end, she swallowed the hard truth that things like this are sometimes just part of business - to which I can totally relate. She’s since moved on to work with a different vendor and offers some good thoughts for doing what you can to prevent negative situations like this from occurring, plus how to move on emotionally.
I really appreciated Rachael’s openness and honesty about this whole scenario because things like this are hard to relive and share.
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get a calendar-related tip for tracking your rental items!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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You may know Jesy for the very cool way she combines her floral and balloon artistry. And in this episode, you’ll hear more about that creation process, plus mindset shifts, some tangible things you can do to reach your goals and how she’s fallen in love with teaching in our industry.
Jesy offers a nice reminder that everyone has to start somewhere, and to not compare yourself to people at another stage of the journey, including the process of becoming an instructor! She shares how she first discovered there might be an avenue for her as instructor and how it’s since blossomed into a bilingual experience for her students.
Then we dive into her passion for developing and strengthening a strong business owner mindset. She shares some of the practices she’s implemented that have made a big difference for her in both the big picture and day to day.
When we talk about her signature arrangements, you’ll hear about the inspiration, how she worked with manufacturers and some of the ways the arrangements can be used. I find product invention and manufacturing a mysterious but really intriguing process so I loved hearing all about it!
It was so fun to chat with Jesy and I know you’ll be uplifted from her positive outlook as well.
In the UGlu Hotline this week, we’ll hear a good tip for removing UGlu dashes!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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Jeff is one of the new owners of the company that creates the most valuable tool in my toolkit: my magnets! I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly at FLOAT and was happy that he could come on the show to tell us more about how he and his business partner made their way into the balloon community through Clik-Clik. I loved his openness and honesty and it was really a delightful conversation!
You’ll get to hear a bit of surprising Clik-Clik history, how he and his business partner chose it over other businesses, where else you might see Clik-Clik out in the world and a bit about their plans for the future. You may also get a bit surprised to hear about the size of their team!
I can tell that Jeff is here to support balloon decorators for the long haul. He emphasizes how the products are all about keeping us safe on the job while helping us look very professional. He tells us about who else has been a huge part of their success thus far and how they’re looking to make their products more accessible to a wider range of businesses and decorators.
I’m looking forward to watching them grow!
And in the UGlu Hotline, you’ll hear about a cool way to donate balloons!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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Back by popular demand is Courtney of Courtney Lynette Creative Co! And this time, we’re chatting about her website services and how she can help your business take root with a permanent internet home that doesn’t rely on social media.
Websites are her bread and butter service, and the event industry is her sweet spot. With a history working in events, she knows how to create websites that are fun and inviting while legitimizing your business and making it a place to store the kind of info your clients need.
We talk about function, what should live on each page and how a good website can warm leads for you. Then, Courtney offers her opinion and a few reasons for why a business should not run on social media alone.
Personally, I know that having my prices on my website helps me remember what I charge for certain items… and of course it’s a huge asset for my virtual assistant, too. To take it a step further, I’d also say that it gives me confidence to stay away from quoting things that aren’t part of my services page. This keeps me focused and streamlined.
Part of my conversation with Courtney also touches on how much actual content belongs on a website (specifically regarding images of our work) and how this content should make it clear to your clients that you have the experience and skills they’re looking for.
Lastly, you’ll hear about how you can work with Courtney for your website needs, what the services include and a little more about her personally!
From the UGlu Hotline, there’s a nice tip for solopreneurs who want to record more videos.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
Ep. 200 - Brand Consistency | Courtney Of Courtney Lynette Creative Studios
courtneylynette.com | @courtneylynette
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I’ve felt my business grow over the past couple of years, but there have also been some life changes that kind of made things feel a little out of whack. So in this episode, I share how I’m trimming the “fluff” and tuning up my business by going back to the basics!
This process is actually inspired by my previous time as a 6th grade art teacher. So much of what we would cover was foundational principles. And I always found that without them, troubleshooting becomes much more difficult. So, I took this mindset and applied it to my garlands, framework, clutter, inventory, product offerings and finances.
In some cases, I had introduced too many variables to the task. In others, I just didn’t even notice the buildup. And in one scenario, the changes were a little bit out of my control. Listen in to hear what changes I made to my recipes and offerings, the bags I use at install, what I’ve committed to never using again, some good advice I got about retraining and my next step in this process.
So far, I now have less clutter, more efficiency, better consistency and more reliable profit margins. Plus, another resource for you!
And from the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for always having your contact info readily available.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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Travis and I purchased our marquee letters from the same vendor at about the same time, and in this episode we share our thoughts about the upsides and downsides of owning marquees.
We start with all the good things about our marquees, including:
Then we cover the downsides with complete honesty. Here’s where this part of the conversation took us:
If you’re in the spot where you’re considering adding marquees to your offerings, this will be a good, honest episode for you to hear!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get some tips for transporting our framework so that it can be easily put back together onsite.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
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Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
Ep. 145 - Local networking with Travis Green
My guest in this episode is very familiar with the balloon industry and has become hugely helpful to me as I've needed graphic design elements in my business. Emily of The Party Method helps event decorators fulfill their customers' requests with custom backdrops and other printed products!
In our chat you'll hear about Emily's background and how she was introduced to the balloon community. She also shares a bit of her experience with branding and what is included in her brand toolkit before we dive into her insanely robust pool of images that are available to match the themes we're decorating for.
When we talk about the jobs we've worked on together, you'll hear how efficiently she and her third-party printer can get your orders in process. These products are such a great addition to our balloon decor... not only because of how well they print, but because they give that extra bit of texture to the display, too.
And it doesn't stop there! Listen in to hear what kinds of digital and apparel assets she can provide as well. Emily has been a great partner of mine and I know she'll be able to help you, too.
Then in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for the balloon stuffers!
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thepartymethod.co | @theparty.method
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I felt like we were overdue for an episode about AI, so in this one I'm sharing how I've used it, where to find it, and how it can help your business... including something that has been a total game-changer for me!
To be honest, I kind of feel like AI is becoming a bit of a buzz word that doesn't always apply as advertised. What I consider real AI is a tool like Chat GPT - the one I use most often. I've started using it as my new search, and have enjoyed brainstorming with it and fine-tuning it to my style and personality.
Listen in for the real time results when I ask Chat GPT how I can use AI in my balloon business!
From that list, I share the specific ways I'm actively utilizing it:
Then at the end of the episode, I'm sharing about the idea I heard from Amy Porterfield to use AI when creating SOPs. Doing it has kind of blown my mind and just might blow your mind, too! It's made me excited to document more and more of my processes so they are finally out of my own head.
I hope this episode has helped you understand what artificial intelligence can do and how it can impact your business!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for connecting tricky foils.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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In this interview I'm chatting with Alexis, the founder of Fanfaire, about her new platform aimed to help us sell our balloon decor options by bringing designs to life. It was really exciting to learn about her product and how it came to be!
You'll hear about her background in both tech and balloons, then she'll dive into Fanfaire's digital storefront and how it aims to be an end-to-end solution. She tells us about the color palette available, the level of customization the platform is capable of and what the client communication looks like.
Then we also hear about how businesses control their pricing matrix in the platform and how it's transparent to the customer as they build their order. Finally, we wrap up with what the Fanfaire onboarding process actually looks like and how it can be incorporated into your existing website.
And from the UGlu Hotline, there's a tip for transporting our framework!
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Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Karin comes on the show to tell us about how she manages her balloon jobs, a large rental inventory and her flight attendant job... that she has no intention of leaving. I've loved Karin's spirit and energy since I met her at Balloon Wonderland, so it was so nice to have her on the show!
Hear how the rental side of her business quickly led to balloons, which quickly grew into a sizable company that she and her partner run alongside their full-time jobs! We'll get to know how she strategically schedules her work, how she actually makes it all happen while spending so much time in the air and what they're planning for the future.
We also get into the nitty gritty about tracking all the rental items, chat about industry events, hear about her Adopt a Grandmother campaign and of course touch on her amazing reels!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, there's a nice tip for utilizing QR codes.
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Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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Let me tell you something... when you have a 5-digit tax bill at the end of the year - even after paying quarterly taxes - that is a really good time to lean on professionals to help you configure your financial setup! Today's guest, Elizabeth from Fiore Accounting & Tax Services, helped me do just that, and then some.
Listen in for the details of:
I always love having Elizabeth on the show because she explains confusing financial matters so well. She and her team have been such a help to me over the years and I know that even if you're not considering S Corp status you'll get some great financial insights in this episode!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get a nice tip about blending your clamps and clips in with your decor.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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Ep. 80 - Profit First Revisited with Elizabeth Fiore
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A big thank you to my friend Ashley of Pink Flamingo Party Co. who came on the show for this episode all about the ins and outs of retail. This is something I know almost nothing about, so it was really insightful to get more details about not just retail, but also staffing, training and adding inventory. We will also hear how she fought the proposed balloon ban that happened in her state!
The Pink Flamingo Party Co. started as a luxury retail shop and transitioned into offering DIY kits before also becoming event decorators. Ashley tells us how she finds and selects their stock, manages staff to cover both the store and the installation jobs, then offers some considerations for those thinking about opening their own retail shop.
As we transition into chatting about hiring and the positions she has on her team, you'll hear how it's been a learning experience for her, what kinds of things she makes staffing decisions on and her approach towards non-compete agreements.
Then, don't miss her story about what it was like to have the threat of a balloon ban in her state! You'll hear the specific actions she took and how she made her case to keep the industry alive in her local area.
Plus in the UGlu Hotline, we've got another reminder to build community over competition.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Today I'm sharing with you a change that I never thought I would make in my business! I'm increasing the number of times I make contact with my customers, and I'll tell you how... what led to this decision... and why I think it's going to change my business.
If you've been listening for a while you know that I am all about efficiency, so the idea of getting on the phone with more customers is a bit unusual for me. However, I'm feeling like bad customer service is almost everywhere you turn lately, so I want to be a refreshing surprise of great customer service when people contact me!
One thing that has hugely helped free up some time and energy to do this is having a virtual assistant handle much of the sales for me. It's amazing, but does have me wanting to make my own connection with the customer before arriving at the event. I'll share with you exactly when and how I'm starting to do this, plus the other unexpected benefits that have come up since implementing these new touch points.
They include:
I'm also modifying a couple of touch points that I already had in place: the thank you after the event and the follow-up to rebook.
Listen in to hear the specifics of what I'm doing and saying, and what inspired me to make these upgrades to my customer experience so that I can stand out by providing unparalleled customer service!
From the UGlu Hotline, we get a tip about how to get quality balloons in a pinch for those last-minute parties.
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This episode is a little different because I'm chatting with someone who works for a balloon company... but not the owner. Heather, who supports Tiffany at the Confetti Castle, comes on the show to give us some tips about keeping your assistants and employees happy while best utilizing their skills.
We'll hear about the range of administrative duties she takes care of on any given day, and how doing some hands-on work first helped her feel comfortable with taking on more responsibility for Confetti Castle.
When we move on to talk about what motivates her as an employee, we chat about the balance and boundaries needed when working with close friends... and how they can shift over time. Then Heather shares the types of things, which aren't necessarily money-related, that keep her happy in her role.
Finally, we get some good tips for exactly how to start with the idea of hiring an assistant, including:
I hope this episode helps you gain some clarity and confidence in the idea of hiring some help if you know you need it!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, there's a nice tip for utilizing rubber bands in our installations.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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I recently did a job alongside a lighting and entertainment company who came in with such professional looking equipment that it had me evaluating my own branding. I realized that some things don't take a lot of time, money or energy to update... and I'm sharing those ideas in this episode!
Of course this all starts with having a logo that you love. I was able to edit mine in Canva until it was the way I wanted it, but you can seek out logo designers for help as well. This was a hugely important step as I was getting ready to wrap my van. And I'll say, wrapping my van is and will probably always be the biggest and best branding investment I've made. If you're on the fence about it, I can't recommend it enough!
Other items that I've branded or am now planning to update with my branding include:
I'm sharing what printing methods I'll be using, the vendors I recommend and more about who inspired me to make these branding upgrades... I'd love to hear which of your business assets you'll be branding next!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get a nice tip about removing UGlu dots.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Ep. 146 - Deliveries & Pricing | Misti from Balloons by Misti
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It was such a treat to have 9 other moms on the show for this episode, where we talk about everything from juggling business, kids and in some cases, a separate full-time job; plus partner dynamics and even employing our children!
These moms represented a pretty big range of years in business, number of kids and business plans... I know you'll connect with at least one. Some of the gems that came up were things like:
I hope this conversation helps to give you permission to make some changes or set some boundaries that you've been thinking about, so that you can have the best of both worlds. Thanks so much to all of our guests for sharing their stories!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we're reminded of the benefits of community over competition.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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This week's guest is a friend of mine who helps streamline our businesses, primarily through the platform that sponsors the podcast - 17hats. You're going to hear about the balloon events you may have seen her at in the last few months, plus a huge milestone she's hit in her business since she last came on the podcast!
We also reminisce about how she got started in the balloon community back when we both worked the same full-time job, and you'll hear how she knew it was the place for her to stay. She'll share some ways that you can work with her, what the process looks like and an invitation to get ongoing support in 17hats.
And in the UGlu Hotline, there's a tip for getting your foils to stick together.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Ep. 76 - Cool CRM features of 17hats | Nicole of Let Nicole Help
Ep. 59 - Three ways you can stand out | Streamlining your customer experience
Balloon-only 17hats membership interest survey
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This week I'm sharing what happened on Instagram when I asked business owners with less than 5 years experience to leave a question in the comments, and business owners with more than 5 years experience to drop in an answer. It was such a nice surprise to see how many people participated, and thank you to each and every one who did! There were a ton of great questions and great answers, including:
I just love how this turned out, with people being so open not just with their questions, but with their knowledge and experience, too. There were more comments than I could read in the episode so feel free to find the reel on my Instagram and browse the comments to learn more!
And in the UGlu Hotline, there's a tip for using rubber bands instead of 260s to be a little more cost effective.
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Ep. 40 - I Bought a Van!!!!
Ep. 153 - Retail dreams | Stephanie of Celebration Creations
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I just loved hearing from Alexis in this episode, as she shares with us how she's created crowd-funded balloon installation events for the Title I schools in and around her community! Listen in to hear how you can replicate the idea in your area and become a part of the Loons' for Littles program.
Alexis takes us through:
If this is something you'd like to offer in your community, reach out to Alexis on Instagram (below) for guidance on which of your area schools the Loons' for Littles program is meant to support.
I can't wait to see this become a national event!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, we have a nice little tip for transporting framework in SUVs.
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Alexis - @lou_lou_balloons
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I feel like this week's guest, Lamar, and I have such similar businesses. He comes on the show to chat about finding balance as a small business owner, giving classic and organic decor each their own due, and my favorite part... his knack for branding in every aspect of his business.
We'll hear what great support he had when starting his business in college, we talk about the transition into balloons full time, (including all the transitions to the physical space of LaMarvelous Balloons over time) and then the challenges of further growth.
Then we talk about moving between classic and organic decor and how they can actually be similar builds when you keep a couple of artistic principles in mind: color and balance.
And I couldn't help but ask about his approach to branding. Hear about how he struggled with introducing himself as a balloon artist to eventually discovering that it was such a unique thing for him to embrace. I was also so inspired to hear about his fun naming process for his decor items!
Plus, let's give a big congrats to him for celebrating 10 years in the balloon industry!
Then in the UGlu Hotline, we get a neat little tip about using QR codes as business cards.
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LaMarvelous Balloons on Facebook & Instagram
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It was so exciting to hear how today's guests Alissa, Rachel and Aimee came together with their different skill sets to create their own line of modern and fun specialty foils! They each have their own balloon decorating businesses but as they got to know each other in their local area they realized how a team approach to this fun new business would benefit them all.
We'll hear about:
Then towards the end of our conversation you'll also hear about some of the super creative ways these foils can be incorporated into your jobs to offer very trendy designs to your customers in ways that DIY people likely can't.
I just know that you'll love hearing from these ladies about their endeavor and I hope that you'll consider supporting them as our fellow balloon artists!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get another excellent reminder to build community over competition!
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Burst Party Co. | @burstpartyco
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Get your notepad ready for this episode, because Megan comes back on the show to share with us some amazing tips for posting jobs and interviewing potential staff members.
We'll hear how she transitioned into balloon decor, what her team looks like, how she assigns tasks and how it all requires clear and upfront communication.
Not only that, but she takes us through the nuts and bolts of how to actually start the process of hiring... including exactly where she posts her jobs and why. She shares when you can expect the most applications, what job titles tend to attract the most applicants and some other preparation tips for the process.
Then I had to ask about the actual interviews, too! They always make me nervous, even as the interviewer. Megan delivers with her exact interview questions, the thought processes behind them, how she can read people's personalities based on how they tie a balloon AND another little test that took Facebook by storm not long ago!
This conversation really opened my eyes to new hiring strategies and I hope it helped you feel more comfortable about the process, too!
And in the UGlu Hotline, I share my thoughts on how many different services to offer customers.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Ep. 26 - Cold Outdoor Decor Tips with Megan Raysby
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Let's face it... creating content is practically its own full-time job in our businesses, because it's endless! I know so many of us feel drained with the idea, and I couldn't agree more. So in this episode I'm going to be sharing how batching and cranking out content has changed my business, and why this will be the theme of the 2024 Glow Retreat!
Two things have recently changed my approach to creating content: a group coaching program and having a baby. Mainly, I've learned that with content creation you've got to focus on quantity over quality because sometimes your schedule is so unpredictable that you just have to take advantage of the windows of time that become available.
I'll share with you how I prepare for my sprints, why accountability is crucial to the process, and the results I've gotten from it.
And this leads me to the introduction of Glow Retreat 2024... what participants will leave with, when it's happening, the new location, what's included in registration and our amazing keynote speaker!
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get a nice tip about removing UGlu dots... by using UGlu dots!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Dolly & Eddie of Delloons almost need no introduction. So many of us follow their great creations on social media and today, they come on the show to tell us what it's like to work in their business together as a couple, and all about the rebranding process they went through. The good, the bad and the ugly, they share a lot of insightful and relatable things about their journey that you don't want to miss.
We get to hear about how their business brought them back together, what kind of position they hired for first, how Eddie has recently joined Dolly full time in the business and how they made the decision that Dolly could leave her job to expand the business in the first place. They also share how they've set boundaries around their work together to make sure they're able to keep focus on the job at hand - important for not just couples, but colleagues, too!
When we get to chatting about the rebrand, we'll hear why the change was needed and how many Instagram followers they had when they decided to make the change. They share a great tip in terms of rebranding on Instagram, how they shared the news with their customers and how sales went after the change. They had a very intentional approach to the rebrand and it clearly worked!
Some other things from our conversation include:
It was so nice having these two on the show!
And in the UGlu Hotline, I answer a question about my preferred tools for outdoor installs.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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This interview is with... me! I had the honor of being a guest on the HatsOff podcast, hosted by Amanda Rae of 17hats, and this episode features that conversation. It was really fun to tell my story and share a bit about the balloon industry on their platform!
Of course we also talk about workflows and nitty-gritty process details, too... everything from "building the plane as you fly it", to business milestones and maturity, to documenting processes.
Amanda Rae is a brilliant and encouraging leader and it was really neat to discover a couple of things we have in common: being former art teachers and obsessed with The Pumpkin Plan!
Listen in to hear all this and more on mindset, comparison, values and what I would do differently if starting over today.
In the UGlu Hotline this week, I share my thoughts on how broad to go with the offerings you make available on your website.
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Buckle in, because this episode is going to blow you away! Brittany helps creative businesses get legally legit, and beyond her 1-on-1 services she also has downloadable agreement resources specifically designed for balloon businesses! I was so impressed by Brittany and I just know that you're going to get a ton of value from this episode and her templates.
We get to hear about her path to the creative and balloon industry and how she has filled a gap for us in terms of legal protection. She details for us what types of things should be covered in an agreement, like:
I also ask Brittany about legalities for online businesses, and protecting downloadable and digital resources. Again, she had tons of tips around copyright, trademarks and more.
It's evident that Brittany knows her stuff and I already can't wait to have her on the show again!
From the UGlu Hotline, we get a cool tip for anyone stuffing balloons!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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It's hard to believe that it's been over two years since we last heard Tiffany on the podcast! So needless to say, she has a lot of updates about Confetti Castle's expansions to their staff and offerings. And it was so nice to hear how she's done it while outsourcing, meaning she's been able to grow the business without having to put more in her own workload.
Before we talk about the financial considerations around adding marquees into the business, we also talk about what kinds of sales can cover expenses, raising prices and renting vs. buying space.
Then Tiffany and I realized some of the same struggles that can happen when working at the mercy of other marquee providers and she shares with us some of the financial analysis she did to determine that marquees should become a part of her business, too. She also had a great idea about how to work marquees into donation requests!
Our conversation about staffing and outsourcing was really interesting, too. We talk about micromanaging vs. giving people autonomy, finding ways to save time and identifying which tasks will turn into the most profit - for both the business owners and employees.
Then we wrap up with some thoughts around exit plans, which I've recognized as something not talked about in our industry enough.
Thanks so much to Tiffany for coming back on to share more of her experience and wisdom!
And in the UGlu Hotline, I answer a question about working in environments with a lot of static.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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This week's guest works with creative businesses to make sure their branding is consistent across all platforms. From logo, to website, to email and social media, Courtney helps you bring your brand presence across all platforms in a cohesive way. And don't miss your chance to win a VIP day with her - further down the show notes!
In the episode we hear about her own background in the event industry and how your branding can affect the trust your customers have with you. She urges us to think not only about our ideal clients as we consider branding, but our own preferences at the same time.
She helps clients find their own personal branding style instead of trying to fit into the mold of the latest trend so that your branding always looks and feels authentic. She's also got a great tip for using Chat GPT to help polish your "About us" and other website language!
Courtney definitely knows her stuff when it comes to branding and has several ways to work with her so that you can nail down the visuals and voice you display to your customers.
In the UGlu Hotline this week, I share my own tip about planning meals at conventions!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
Giveaway - VIP Branding Day ($1250 value) which includes:
New Brand Board including: logo trio (main logo, secondary logo, submark, fresh font pairings, color palette & mood board)
4 Social Media Canva templates using new branding + Instagram Highlight covers
Updating branding on social media where needed (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, etc)
Email Signature with new branding
One marketing material (thank you card, business card, one sheet, etc)
Logo, color and font updates on current website
To enter the giveaway, following both @thebrightballoon and @courtneylynette on Instagram and enter here!
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In this episode I'm telling you all about where I spent my money in 2023... including which category I spent more in than my entire eight-year history! I'm talking about where I overspent, where I underspent and what I'm paying for to make my business run smoothly.
Listen in as I take you through how my spending landed in these categories:
I'll also share how this reflection has motivated me to create a budget for the year ahead - something I've never taken the time to do before! I hope by listening in, you'll be able to identify areas that could use improvement or upgrades in your business.
In the UGlu Hotline, I share my thoughts on when and how to implement bulk pricing.
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
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Fiore Accounting & Tax Services
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Ep. 162 - Protecting yourself and your business | Erin from Country Financial
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This episode will feature two different conversations! First, we'll hear from Katie and Kristen about how they run their businesses independently, but help each other out as needed. It's a really interesting strategy that I think we can all learn from!
Then I'm also chatting with Yonnie, who shares what she's loved about her journey in the balloon industry so far. Both of the conversations felt really refreshing - I hope you enjoy them!
Key points from the chat with Katie and Kristen include:
Then Yonnie shares:
And in the UGlu Hotline this week, we get some ideas for making your sticky things even stickier!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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I've heard the reasons that you're not sending newsletters to your customers... why you don't think it works... how you're afraid of the unsubscribes... and how you're not even sure where to start, so in this episode I'm aiming to eliminate those objections so that you can experience the kinds of benefits I've had from email marketing.
First, a little tough love for the objection that "it doesn't work, because I always delete all the emails I get". I disagree! Sure, some emails might be an automatic delete, but I know there are some you click into. Think about why and this will help you think about how you can become the company that is an automatic open.
Next I'll talk about the fear of getting unsubscribes. The thing is, not doing something because you're afraid of people not liking the thing that you're not doing... it just doesn't make sense. Isn't it better to connect with those who would love to hear from you? Listen in to hear how I've changed my mindset around getting unsubscribes.
Now when we think about the cost associated with email marketing, I have some more friendly pushback and share what kind of response I got from my last newsletter... including sales numbers. It's very easy to see how a small investment in a platform makes you your money back.
Then, the only objection that I can get behind: "I don't know what to send". I get it! But I'm confident that with 30 focused minutes thinking about what kind of value you could give your customers through email, you could have an entire year planned out. I share a few ways to jumpstart this planning session in the episode.
Next I chat about the objection of who to send newsletters to. I promise you that you have previous customers who are cheering you on and want to see you succeed. Start there! Then work towards getting new leads excited to join your email list by offering some kind of free download.
The last piece of the email marketing puzzle is the tech. If you're ready to reap the benefits of email marketing but feel overwhelmed by the tech, join me for a webinar March 6, 2024, simply by grabbing the 50 email marketing ideas download below. That will get you on my email list where I'll be sharing the registration link.
As you'll hear, I'm pretty passionate about email marketing and I'd love to help you finally tackle this thing that's probably been on your to-do list for quite a while!
And in the UGlu Hotline this week, I share how I decided to make the switch from face painting to balloon decor and why I may go back to it one day.
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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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
Flodesk (get 50% off your 1st year)
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It was so nice to meet Stephany and hear about her journey to becoming a product creator! From jumping into the balloon industry after doing her child's first birthday party, to serving high-end clients internationally, she's done things few people get to do because she decided to give herself a chance.
We hear what it's like to work mostly with event planners in New York City, and how she's fortunate enough to have professional photographers at almost all of her installations. Then she shares how those event planners often request a custom color palette... which led to the creation of her Balloon Stuffer. There's no doubt that product creation is not for the faint of heart, so I give so many props to Stephany and all of those who do it!
I also ask a pretty raw question about how fellow balloon artists might feel following her Instagram, and Stephany shares some encouragement and what it was like for her to start and grow this business that has helped her find a new, powerful and unapologetic version of herself. She also shares a few great tips for getting started with Instagram reels while out on the job!
Wow, you're going to feel so encouraged after listening to this conversation - I know I sure was. Thanks, Stephany!
In the UGlu Hotline, I share my thoughts on how to prepare a booth for a wedding expo and some ideas for the actual wedding decor!
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Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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Last time Ali was on the podcast, she was still operating as a home-based business with very little help in terms of employees. Now, she's rocking her business out of a warehouse with a fleet of vehicles, but unfortunately has experienced some difficulties in hiring the right staff. We'll hear about some of those difficulties she's faced, and also:
I really appreciated Ali's openness and honesty in this conversation and wish her the best in finding the staff she needs to accomplish her business dreams!
In the UGlu Hotline, I answer a question about using adhesives on outdoor surfaces.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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Matteo is the Marketing Manager for Gemar USA and when we met at Balloon Boss Summit I learned so much about their long history and how they've created such a global brand. We covered a lot in our conversation, but two big things you won't want to miss are the new colors they have coming out and their very cool software that helps with design and production planning!
You'll also hear about:
It was such a pleasure to have Matteo on to represent a brand that has definitely made a huge mark in the industry!
In the UGlu Hotline this week, I share how I use adhesives only between my balloons and avoid using them on customer surfaces if at all possible. Instead, I use a few common rigging products instead.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
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The rebooking workflow that I'm going to share with you in this episode has made me more money than any advertising, networking or updates to my website. It's one of the most critical updates I've made to my business in the last year and I'm sharing all the details about it!
But first, what is a rebooking workflow and why is it important?
For many years, I used to complete my service, archive the project and then hope that those customers would reach out to me again... leaving the ball entirely in their court. This is a problem for a couple of reasons:
Taking more of an offensive approach to rebooking your jobs means you're less likely to fall through the cracks. And, I'd say it makes you look really professional and protects you against a recession much more than working without a rebooking process ever could. (Plus, we all know that working with repeat customers is much easier than onboarding new customers.)
Now, it's no surprise that my workflow runs through 17hats, but it could likely be implemented in other ways, too. Listen in for the exact steps, exact timing and exact language I use to make this all happen!
I hope you'll take action and implement these steps today so that you can take advantage of the jobs and money waiting for you.
And from the UGlu Hotline, we get a friendly reminder about an easy networking action, and I give my take on the various ways you can bring help into your business.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
The Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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For this episode, we're going to go back in time and I'll share how I would have started my balloon business knowing what I know now. After about 8 years in business, I've seen how I've gotten lucky, what I've screwed up and where I overthought. And while I don't think there's any one "right" way to start a business, I do think the order in which I'm going to go through things is probably the easiest.
Here's the high-level overview:So there you have it! The basic building blocks for a very solid business foundation if you're starting from scratch or are fairly new. I hope this episode has helped you learn what to focus on, and what things can wait.
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get some ideas for warming up your UGlus so that they can properly stick in the cold!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
Ep. 162 - Protecting yourself and your business | Erin from Country Financial
Ep. 90 - One year after two big changes
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Tabitha and I met randomly at FLOAT years ago when each of us were brand new to the balloon decor industry and both currently working as face painters. It's been so neat to see our businesses grow in their own ways (and in similar ways) since then. In this interview, Tabitha talks about some of that growth, but also the logistics of her legendary sorority install.
First, we talk about how we both relocated our families to give room for our booming balloon businesses, and the inspiration that got us there. Then we move on to talk about her staff and the roles they play. She's set up a super impressive production system that gives each of them clear roles in the process.
When we move on to chat about her sorority builds, you'll hear about the level of planning and surprise that's involved! Tabitha shares with us a big lesson she learned about pricing in the process because sometimes these huge jobs don't just multiply the level of work, they can actually exponentially increase it.
Tabitha rented a storage space specifically for these sorority builds and tells us how that relationship has since benefitted her business, too. Huge kudos to her, her team and those who came in to help for this event! If you're interested in joining the experience this year, stay tuned to their Instagram as the details are worked out.
And in the UGlu Hotline this week, there's a tip for creating free-standing arches when you're otherwise working with a difficult installation surface.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
____________________________
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I always love having Lilly on the show! In this episode, not only do we get to hear about some new products she has available for balloon artists, but we also chat about some best practices for Instagram, with quick and easy updates you can make while listening!
First, we talk about your Instagram bio and how to make it appealing and informative for your audience. Lilly shares her "who, where, what and how" approach for her profile setup and we chat more specifically about the "where" and "how" because this is where we see the most room for improvement in profiles.
Those things then lead us into talking about what kinds of things we should actually be posting. Lilly brought up great points about pictures vs. reels and what kind of content will make followers want to share and engage with.
Finally, we get to hear about the exciting new products available to us in time for Valentine's Day and at FLOAT!
And in the UGlu Hotline we get a great tip for rescuing our hands when they get damaged from the work we do.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Ep. 1 - Does your Instagram bio have these three things?
thecreativeheartstudio.com | @thecreativeheartstudio
Other episodes with Lilly:
Ep. 102 - Product Development | Lilly from The Creative Heart Studio
Ep. 61 - Getting Organized with Lilly, The Creative Heart Studio
Ep. 34 - The Creative Heart Studio with Lilly Jimenez
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I'll admit - I was not prepared for all of the great advice Jo Jo gave in this interview! She and her team do all things event decor... tents, rentals, linens, chairs and of course balloons. She's built an incredibly successful business with her supportive connections in the community and I have no doubt you'll get inspired and learn something by listening to her story.
Jo Jo tells us a bit about her background and how the business has grown to 13 employees and a brick and mortar location within just three years! We also get to hear about
And you won't believe how much time she's been able to take away from their shop! She's able to do this by leaning on a couple of key positions: her part-time manager and her lead designer. Another thing that has contributed to her ability to step away is having her recipes right on the invoice for her team... an idea I totally want to steal!
When I ask Jo Jo's opinion on what rentals to start with, she not only delivers on that question but gives an amazing tip on how to properly charge for any rental items you're selling.
I was simply blown away by the success she's experienced and am looking forward to watching her business continue to excel.
And this week from the UGlu Hotline, we get a cool tip for creating free-standing arches when the installation surface is otherwise really difficult to attach to, such as stucco or brick.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
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I'm taking a unique approach to planning the year ahead and thinking not just about my business goals, but family and personal life goals and how they all tie together.
The first planning strategy is one I saw in my Instagram feed over and over before finally clicking in to learn more. It's all about finding one thing that is going to define your year, so that you can plan your personal and work life around and for it. Then, taking the time to schedule in mini-adventures that keep your energy and focus high, and finding a few new healthy habits to try along the way. The whole idea here is that if you don't actually plan in these highlights to your year, they're far less likely to happen.
Thinking about planning finances now, I went through an exercise as a 17hats ambassador that had us do a bit of reverse engineering. It's all about finding the actual number of work days you have in the year, deciding how much you want to make and then figuring out how much you need to bring in each week or month. This approach is totally rooted in practical, numbers-based ideas and was pretty eye-opening.
Finally, the last technique is all about marketing your business. Amy Porterfield suggests pushing only one thing a quarter, and I like this because decision-making about marketing gets very easy. And the fact is, that people need to see something over and over before making a decision. So promoting the same thing for a few months is not a bad move!
Listen in for more detail on each of these strategies. I hope that at least one of them inspires you to make some plans for a memorable and profitable year ahead! And I'd love to hear what they are!!
And on the UGlu Hotline, I share some thoughts about how far to go with diversifying your service offerings... how to balance ease and streamlining with showing customers all that you can do.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
____________________________
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I am so thrilled to have Tommy & Scott of Balloons by Tommy on the show for the final 2023 interview! I've always held them in my mind as the gold standard of balloon businesses and appreciate even more how kind each of them are with their knowledge and experiences.
Tommy's balloon dreams started very young and he has never swayed from those dreams. We hear how he ran and grew his business while going to school, until Scott came along and they became this dynamic duo that started to scale rapidly. They tell us about the ups and downs they've experienced along the way as they've built their team and managed production, time away, etc.
You'll also hear what actual technologies they use to run the business, including group chats, their CRM, email management and mockups. And don't miss the tips they share about New Year's Eve bookings!
We wrap up the conversation by hearing how they plan their years, make goals for the business and think long-term about their direction. These two are clearly leaders within our industry and it was such an honor to have them on the show.
From the UGlu Hotline, we have a question about whether to use contracts in donation work. I share not only my guidelines on donating services, but also my approach for making the service happen.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
____________________________
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Today I'm sharing how a few of the books from the book club have changed my business this year! It was such a nice refresher to look back on this list and have another think about all that we covered.
And I can't even say that all of the books in my top 3 were the most enjoyable to read, but they've definitely helped me make some great changes. Without further ado, here they are:
Rich Dad Poor Dad gave me some new ways to think about assets and liabilities. It also gave me the courage to go after a commercial property! In the end, it wasn't the right decision but I gained some great insights in the process. I'll also tell you what type of rental items I've incorporated into my business because of this read!
Virtual Freedom had me make three lists to freedom, and here's what I've outsourced because of it:
These are all major changes for me and I'm so thankful I went forward with them!
Clutter Connection was all about identifying your organizing preferences and tendencies. (What you see on Pinterest might not necessarily be what works for you.) Through reading this one, I figured out what changes to make with my balloon storage and why some things work as well as they do.
I hope by hearing my takeaways, you're encouraged to see how these books can help your business, too!
On the UGlu Hotline this week, I've got some tips for installing in super dry and staticy environments.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker
Clutter Connection by Cassandra Aarssen
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In this episode we are checking in with Melody to get an update on her educational platform as well as her decor business. In particular, we'll learn:
It was so nice to hear how Melody is thriving!
Listen to Melody's episode about not waiting for permission here!
And in the UGlu Hotline I'm sharing my top advice for brand new balloon businesses, plus my biggest mistake from the early years of running my business.
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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I've already had the pleasure of chatting with Larry and Joe from Havin’ A Party, but in this episode we get to round out the trifecta and connect with Austin to hear about some exciting things coming next for this distributor family!
First, Austin takes us through the moment he made the decision to jump into the family business and how they all quickly realized that roles needed to be assigned in order for the business to operate at its highest efficiency.
Then you'll hear about the mastery they have within this industry when he tells us how they're able to supply customers' new retail stores with just the right amounts of product according to what's expected to sell in their particular region.
And did you know they actually design products in house?! I am so excited to get my hands on some of the items Austin mentions are in development and are set to be released at FLOAT!
Finally, we also talk about how they follow their values to determine which events to attend and what products to carry. This family is so genuine and it's obvious how much they want to take care of their customers. I've loved chatting with each of them and have so much respect for them all.
And from the UGlu Hotline, we get a tip for making sure your sticky items are sticky enough!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)
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Two experienced balloon business owners come on the show in this episode to tell us about their balloon decor recipe membership! Johnathan Gerber of Party People Events and Jonathan Fudge of YTE Events & Balloon Decor have come together to provide a super helpful resource to fellow balloon business owners looking for step-by-step instructions for balloon decor, from the basic column to elaborate sculptures.
Their experiences in the industry are remarkably similar; we get to hear about how they were first introduced to balloons, how they acquired their own businesses, how they've grown them and how The Balloon Guild came to be.
We also get to talking about how recipes can help you build a team, which is something I've experienced myself! It might actually shine a light on some holes in your business at first (in terms of pricing and production), but once recipes, processes and expected build times are established, that's where real growth will start to happen.
And then, when life changes such as pregnancy, injuries or caretaking come up, your business won't get hit quite as hard because you've taken the time to move things out of your own brain and onto paper.
Whether you're looking for some creative inspiration for yourself, or you want to train a team with some great recipes, The Balloon Guild can help!
And from the UGlu Hotline, we get a cool tip about how to help keep your balloon deliveries a surprise!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)
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
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
Balloon Guild (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20)
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Do you ever find yourself moving your own goalpost? I’ve been thinking a lot about this concept for the past few months and trying to notice how often I self sabotage by doing it! It’s a dangerous thing because it immediately has us thinking we are less successful than we really are. In this episode, I want to help you find some guardrails for yourself so you can protect your goals.
I’m a big believer in taking the time to write them down. Not only will this help you remember them, but if you’re remembering them, you’re less likely to move your goalpost!
Each year, I reserve time on my way home from Balloon Boss Summit to intentionally think about and set my goals for the following year. I love this timing because I’m always so excited about the possibilities after Summit and I use that excitement to plan the next year of my business. I utilize a physical planner to write down my goals and break them into smaller chunks, but at minimum, I suggest a little goal hack I learned from Denise Duffield Thomas and I share it in this episode.
Now the biggest reason I find myself moving my goalpost is due to shiny object syndrome. I’ll see a new trend pop up on Instagram, for example, and I’ll think that I need to divert my attention there instead of following the plan I had already laid out for myself. Then at that point, I’m not fully committed to either goal!
To eliminate those shiny objects, I’ve decided to unfollow or mute some of the accounts that tempt me to change my plan. If you find yourself scrolling and suddenly feeling down about where you are with your business, I encourage you to do the same.
My next tip is cliche, I know, but I’m trying to really dig deep into it this year; it’s the phrase “define your why”. It’s so easy to default to your children or family as your “why”, but I’m forcing myself to look at it in terms of what my “why” is as a creative business owner. To be the most creative? To grow a team? To be the one to make a lot of decisions? To work just enough to pay the bills?
These are hugely different purposes so it’s important to understand this about yourself as you set your goals for your business.
Now, more practically, here are a few other things I’m doing in 2024 to keep myself from moving my own goalpost, and I share more details in the episode:
Pre-planning my promotions by quarters
Scheduling and focusing in on my biggest annual jobs
Deciding which annual jobs I don’t want to take again
Scheduling vacations (personal and working vacations)!
Creating a list of ideas for later
I really hope this episode helps you find ways to stay true to your goals in 2024, and I’d love to hear what they are!
And from the UGlu Hotline this week, we get a question about doing #allthethings and being everywhere when it comes to social media. I give my take on the platforms to incorporate, the strategy I take for each and what tool I use to schedule posts.
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
2024 Bright Balloon Business Planner
Ep. 144 - Goal check-in
Ep. 117 - My 2023 goals
Ep. 65 - 3 ways to remember your goals
Ep. 64 - Year end review of your balloon business
Ep. 63 - How will you stay on top of your goals in 2022?
Ep. 22 - What’s your word for 2021? | Goal Setting
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I've been keeping this huge secret for several months now! But I'm ready to share all about how I'm preparing my business for my maternity leave, what will change and more...
Long story short, this was a huge surprise. And it's one thing to wrap your head around maternity leave while working a 9-5 job, but the prospect of making this happen successfully as a business owner takes it to a whole new level.
Luckily, I'm due in February, which is normally a pretty slow time for me. And since I've already started outsourcing quite a bit in my business, I'm feeling confident that all will be fine.
Kate, my inflator, has continued to improve and I know that she can make things happen if one of my big "pumpkins" comes up with an event. I've also got my bookkeepers to help my finances stay in order, and as we talked about in the book club last month, I now have a virtual assistant to help me with my leads as well! I'm so grateful I already had most of these things in place so that the transition doesn't feel rushed and hectic.
Right now my plan is to push as many Grab & Go Garlands during my leave as possible. I'm also exploring other items that could make sense for pick up or leave behind, and have fully changed my mind about hiring help to install if it can save me some of the physical labor.
Some other things I have in place (that I think can benefit anyone) are:
All of these safety nets have helped make the pregnancy pretty stress-free, and I believe these ideas can also be applied to those who are caring for parents or a spouse, are healing from a surgery, etc. It might take a mindset shift to get there, but the ease that they can bring into your life is totally worth it.
In the UGlu Hotline this week, we get a cool tip about how to respond to leads while you're busy doing other things! And what great timing - I'll definitely be using this tool while on maternity leave!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Ep. 150 - Finding Profit
Ep. 80 - Profit First Revisited with Elizabeth Fiore
Ep. 162 - Protecting yourself and your business | Erin from Country Financial
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In this episode, Poppy of Balloon Charm tells us about how she's fulfilling her entrepreneurial spirit with balloons after retiring from the military. How she's built her portfolio, where she went for training and what has grown her business... we get to hear about it all!
She shares how she felt it was so important to take advantage of the professional development opportunities afforded to her through serving and gives awesome tips for anyone who did or is currently serving.
Then we talk a little bit about how she's utilized The Pumpkin Plan to identify the sweet spot of her business, and we actually end up discovering an even more unique approach that she might be able to lean into!
Poppy is such a treat - I know you'll feel energized after hearing our conversation.
And in the UGlu Hotline we have a question about... UGlu Dashes!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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In this Throwback Thursday episode we are checking in with Erin from @youngandwildballoonco and since her last episode, she has experienced insane growth! You are going to feel so inspired when you hear about the strides she's made in her business!
Listen to Erin's episode about hiring here!
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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We all have those situations from time to time where we forget an installation tool on the job, or we misunderstand the setup location. But in today's episode, I'm sharing some of my top balloon horror stories that were kind of nightmare situations.
First, I'll take you through what happened when I missed a job entirely! There were a number of things that went wrong in this case but mainly, I learned that when I work outside of 17hats for my bookings things are more likely to get mixed up. I also had to remember some advice I heard at FLOAT years ago... that sometimes all you can do is try to make it right, and then move on.
Thankfully, in this case, the story does have a happy ending and you'll hear what changes I've made since this experience.
My next story, unfortunately, does not have a happy ending and it still haunts me. Normally I feel like I can identify my high-maintenance clients right away but I missed this one... and of course it was a bride. She had me working with a color scheme I would have never recommended and after I completed the installation I got a call from the venue manager to let me know that the bride hated the balloons so much they took the garlands down!
I got some great advice for this situation as I waited for this horrific call the next morning... except that I actually ended up seeing the bride instead! I'll tell you about my conversation with her and how I was sure to connect with the venue manager to maintain a good reputation with them. But unfortunately, this situation didn't end after these conversations. Listen in to hear about the email I got, what I did to craft a reply I was super proud of and what I'm going to be sure to do with wedding jobs in the future.
I hope you find this episode comforting, perhaps relatable and maybe even a little bit funny. Looking forward, just know that horror stories are bound to happen the longer you're in business, so you might as well consider them a right of passage, do your best to make it right and move on.
And from the UGlu Hotline we get a cool tip about connecting greenery to your balloons!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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I first connected with Shelby at the Glow Retreat I hosted this past summer and after learning about some of the extra things she needs to factor into her pricing and availability due to being a single parent, I knew I wanted to bring her on the show to elaborate on the perspective. Even if you're not a single parent, some of these thought processes will definitely still apply to anyone with young kids!
We talk about the level of scheduling detail needed to make sure everything is in order for her to get out to her jobs (or travel for conventions, etc.). Then we get to talking about her booking policies and how she's developed a way for her to know exactly what each item costs to make so that she can work up from there to set her minimums.
Shelby and I also talked about how the Profit First cash management system has helped each of us understand what's truly available to spend and how to be sure we're taking care of ourselves financially. She shares what her next big goal is and what kind of impact it would make on her situation.
Being a single parent can certainly not be an easy thing, but it seems to be a serendipitous way to actually enforce policies! In the end, this conversation re-opened my eyes to how everyone's situation is different and there just isn't any point in playing the comparison game. We're all business owners, but we're also all people with other things going on in our lives!
And from the UGlu Hotline this week, there's a question about the amount of detail to include on invoices. Just the full amount? Broken down by item? And how do I price add-ons like foils, greenery, etc.? Listen in for my approach!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
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What an honor to have an interview with one of the major manufacturers for you this week! Allison of Tuftex comes on the show to tell us how she got into the balloon industry, how they make theirs, what's next for the company AND she answers a few of your questions submitted through Instagram!
You probably won't expect what type of career she transitioned from before owning and operating Tuftex. She tells us all about the learning curve she experienced and how they shifted from serving mainly helium, corporate needs to serving balloon decor businesses.
We recall the FLOAT convention where they introduced their first collection of natural colors, and she tells us about how they shifted their model entirely when the color game started to change. I found these business stories and decisions so fascinating!
Then when we get to the listener questions, we hear about the Tuftex Experience, a new color portfolio coming out next year, how they come up with (and actually create) colors and what she believes are their best colors.
Allison is so honorable and humble in what she and Tuftex do for our industry. Not only do they provide us with gorgeous colors for our work, but you'll hear about several other events they're supporting as well. Thanks, Allison!
And from the UGlu Hotline this week, I share a tip that was given to me about knot lamps!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
@tuftexballoons | Tuftex Events
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Although I know that talking about policies and fees kind of sounds like a drag, I think it's so helpful to discuss them because they are important parts of our businesses that often get neglected and can sometimes even set us up to lose money if we don't put them in place. So in this episode, I'm sharing what you've all shared with me about your delivery, weather, booking and cancellation policies so that you can either find some to put in place or take comfort knowing that your policies and fees are in good order.
Policies are so top of mind for me right now as I'm incorporating a virtual assistant to help me with my bookings. I don't want to make her second-guess her work due to any wishy-washy language. I also don't want to cause any sticker-shock for my customers when they move from my website to an invoice.
So first, I cover delivery policies and fees (and my transformation from being afraid of charging them to total comfort and confidence in charging them). The feedback I got from the Instagram polls essentially showed three different structures for our industry's delivery fees: flat rate, per mile or built into the price. I have a favorite that I share, plus I touch on a cool mileage resource you may want to consider!
Next is what seemed to be the juiciest one - the installation fee. I share how I decipher between installation vs. delivery, and what the average installation fee is for those who charge it. I've also got a cool 17hats trick that helps me perfectly and easily charge my installation fee when necessary.
Then I cover outdoor fees and why I think they require a lot of confidence in your outdoor installation skills. This type of fee then spills into weather-related policies... which spills into cancellation policies. Hopefully these aren't needed often, but they're sure nice to have when you need them!
Some more policies to consider: booking policies, change policies, special installation fees and of course, strike policies and fees! I share how I handle each of them and some more input I received from you all.
What an interesting project this was! Thanks to all who participated and I'd love to hear your takeaways!
Plus in the UGlu Hotline, we've got a question about getting into big box stores and I share why you might be better off focusing on finding the headquarters instead. I also have an insight as to what corporate clients seem to love most when ordering balloons.
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Ep. 159 - Precision Pricing | Emily of Utah Balloon Creations | Balloon Calculators
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In our first "Throwback Thursday" epiosde I'm cating up with Extra Betty! Since our first interview, Extra Betty has moved to a new shop with four times the space, started offering a new rental option, The Betty Bubble, and launched a T-Shirt line! Elizabeth and Adam are honest and candid as we catch up on all things Extra Betty!
Listen to the first Extra Betty episode here
Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
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In this episode I'm chatting with my insurance agent Erin about important stuff like liability, vehicle, health insurance and more. You'll even hear my gasp as I realized how underinsured I was! This interview was a total wake up call.
Contact Erin here: Erin.gabriel@countryfinancial.com
Erin walks us through some considerations for home-based, warehouse and retail businesses... and what to focus on first (hint: liability insurance!). She tells us how coverages can layer on top of one another into one policy so you're not managing several smaller policies at once.
I ask her to walk me through what it would look like if a customer ever filed a claim against my business. Who contacts whose insurance, what happens if I'm a sole proprietor, etc. and her answer was very eye-opening. Then, we move on to talk about what insurance looks like with employees vs. contractors, and how often policies should be updated.
There is SO MUCH to learn in this episode, but it is not meant to scare you! Please listen in to learn about how to protect yourself and your business, and contact Erin if you need help.
And in the UGlu Hotline, we get an awesome tip about securing your Hi-Float container!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Contact Erin from Country Financial
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This interview with Alissa of Party Lane is SO exciting! I have been talking to people about this conversation since we recorded it and can't stop thinking about ways to establish more partnerships in my business. Seriously - don't miss this one, because Alissa shares how she kind of cracked the code on venue and vendor partnerships!
Before we get to that conversation, though, we also chat about business vehicle ownership, delegating tasks and how rentals have substantially changed her business. She even gives some recommendations for the best kind of rentals to consider adding to your business that factor in trends and storage space.
Then when we start talking about the venue relationships, she blows my mind with how she has venues selling balloon packages for her! She takes us through how she got to this point of trust with her venues, how it logistically works and what types of venues have been most open to these types of relationships. I am so inspired by these ideas and can almost guarantee it'll give you some ideas, too!
Also from the UGlu Hotline this week comes a question about partnerships, and Alissa's interview addresses so many of those questions. I will, however, add that you should avoid any kind of "trades'' as much as you can. These situations where money doesn't exchange hands have a tendency to get muddy quickly.
Let me know... will you be reaching out to any venues in your area after hearing this interview?!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Ep. 156 - Diversifying your business | Lori of Foto Vibe
Party Lane website | @nwiparty
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Join the Pumpkin Plan Accelerator Course here
Today is the final day to enroll.
Before implementing The Pumpkin Plan, I felt like I was trying to market to everybody but getting no traction. What really helped me regain my focus was finding the sweet spot within my business... and that's what this episode will help you work towards, too. (And don't miss the quiz in the show notes!)
There are three main aspects to this:
You can start by listing your clients in order of amount spent. And as you look at the list, consider whether any of those top spenders are actually difficult to work with. If so, guess what? They're no longer one of your best clients.
You can continue to work with this list, assigning "grades" to each of them, according to things like how frequently you've worked with them, how forgiving they are about mistakes, whether they've referred anyone to you, etc.
Once it's whittled down to your best 20 clients, it's time to start examining what your market niche is and how you can serve them with a unique offering!
I'm especially excited about this part of the process for the Pumpkin Plan Accelerator because we all know that sometimes we're so far in the weeds with our own business that we're not able to identify things like this for ourselves. It can really help to bring in some outside perspective; and if you really want an edge on your competition... have some conversations with your clients about their wants and needs!
It's so scary, but so worth the effort because you'll know exactly how and where to spend your energy with what you offer.
Then when you know what you're offering, it's time to systemize and streamline it. This will include doing things like delegating and automating so that you can best serve those big pumpkins with ease.
Finding your sweet spot is a fascinating, humbling and eye-opening process. There are so many resources I can share with you inside the accelerator program that will help you through each step of the way! Listen in to hear about those resources, the structure of the group and who makes a great candidate for The Pumpkin Plan process. (Doors close in 2 days!)
In the UGlu Hotline, I'm answering a question about certifications... are they worth it? When should you get certified? How hard are they? What do most people get wrong about certifications? I'm dropping thoughts on it all!
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Special announcement: Enrollment for the Pumpkin Plan Accelerator opens today! (9/12/23)
I have been waiting for this episode to be released! It's an interview with my friend Emily of Utah Balloon Creations, who runs a pretty large scale business. So she knows the tools and processes that we need in our business in order to succeed.
She's coming on the show to tell us all about her Delivery & Quantity Calculators, two things that she created out of necessity for her business and that are now available to us all! I've been using the delivery calculator in my business already and it's been amazing for eliminating the guesswork out of my quotes... I can't wait for you to hear about it!
Not only will you learn about the benefits of her resources, but she also walks us through how she and her husband bought Utah Balloon Creations from its previous owner and survived the pandemic shortly after... how the business ran as they had more children... and how they've since grown to a point of having multiple employees.
But back to the calculators, you'll hear how the quantity calculator allows them to know exactly how many balloons (of each color) are needed for each design, and then how that compares to their current inventory. The calculator knows how many balloons come in the bags from our top manufacturers, too! She thought of everything while building this tool - all you need to do is plug in a few numbers and it does the rest.
Then her delivery calculator is a game-changer because it will incorporate things like rush hour, how many people are going on the delivery and your desired profitability to make sure you're not selling yourself short... all especially helpful if you've got employees sending out quotes. And for those who have newer businesses, don't miss Emily's advice on pricing for the future!
I'm so excited for us all to have access to these tools; thanks for coming on the show, Emily!
And from the UGlu Hotline: we're talking about how to get noticed by area companies you're trying to connect with. I've got ideas for both Instagram and in-person networking that might help!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Balloon Calculators | @myballoontoolbox | @utahballooncreations
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When I first read The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz years ago, it wasn't the right time in my business for it to really "click" for me. But about a year ago I found myself accidentally implementing the practices, which led me to take a more intentional approach with the process... and let me tell you... it had an immediate impact on my business.
So much so that it inspired the Bright Balloon Book Club and my recent certification as a Pumpkin Plan Strategist!
In this bonus episode I'm sharing info about:
And in the UGlu Hotline, we have a question about how to stand out from the competition in your area. There are actually several Pumpkin Plan practices that you can do to improve this, and I share them here in the episode!
Thanks to our sponsors!
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Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Resources mentioned:
Pumpkin Plan Accelerator Course
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In this week's episode I'm chatting about my experience hosting my first ever Glow Retreat! I met awesome people, had a great time and learned a lot.
I wanted it to be a space for balloon business owners to talk shop, because those are often my favorite moments and memories from conventions, and I think we all have something to teach, offer and share with one another.
One thing that really helped with this was the diversity in the ways that the attendees run their business. Home-based, retail, e-commerce, Etsy... There were quite a few different business structures being represented and it made for some really high level and interesting conversation. I'm not even sure I could have hand-picked a better group!
So many things went well, but when I reflected on the experience I did discover some things that would need changing. From group size, to the number of days, to content, to lodging and more... I'm giving an honest reflection on the experience and whether I would do it again.
I feel like the most room for improvement is with the topics that I facilitate. I really wanted to be sure participants left feeling like their money and time was well-spent, but I realized that it was too much for the timeframe we had.
Because of this, I'm moving the content we covered into an online, 4-month group program: The Pumpkin Plan Accelerator! The Pumpkin Plan has made such an impact in my business that I recently became certified as Pumpkin Plan Strategist in order to help pass along the benefits of this approach to other balloon businesses.
I give more details about the program in the episode, but the main purpose is to help you discover your best customers and attract more of them so that you can narrow in on what makes your business unique. I really can't recommend this process enough and am so excited about the idea of helping you find the sweet spot of your business!
And this week in the UGlu Hotline, instead of the usual advice, we have a special tribute to Tommy of Balloons by Tommy, who many of you know is battling cancer. Words of support and encouragement came flooding in from across the country, and the segment has been dedicated to him... we love you, Tommy, and hope you get better soon!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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In this interview with Brian from Banzi Balloons we hear about the tremendous growth of his company, but I also put him on the spot for some "next steps" advice for my business. And the thing I love about Brian is that when you ask his opinion - he gives it!
We talk about how he bought out his competition and could hardly keep up with the growth they experienced when the pandemic started to lift. From a two-person, home-based show to a 10-employee and 6,000 square foot studio space, Brian and his wife Christina were "building the airplane as they flew it".
Life circumstances had Brian calling in help from anyone he could find and having no choice but to delegate. Now, they've trained their team so well that they've been able to step away from doing the sales calls, yet are steadily making their way to their $1 million sales goal!
He shares with us some of the things that he feels have made a huge difference for their team. Things like price lists, e-commerce setup and empowering and trusting employees. Then we chat about his DNA Document - something that represents who they are and what they stand for. It's a pretty neat shift in thinking, compared to the usual mission and vision statements.
Next, I put him on the spot for that "next step" advice. And it's something that I knew I might hear again! It quickly leads into the topic of exit strategies, and I appreciated Brian sharing a few of his ideas on that.
We covered so much in this episode, I just know they'll be at least one thing you can take away from the conversation.
...And the question from the UGlu Hotline this week is about conventions - mainly Balloon Boss Summit and FLOAT. I share my thoughts on each of them!
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Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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This episode is really interesting because Lori tells us how she and her photobooth company added balloons into the mix. They started as an add-on but quickly grew to a sizable portion of her business during the pandemic.
In our conversation she also mentions a really unique service she does that was a huge light bulb moment for me and inspired me to take action right away!
We also hear about:
Once again, I’ve come away from an interview with some really cool ideas to try in my own business, and I’m certain you’ll take away at least one idea from this episode, too!
And this week in the UGlu Hotline, I answered a logistics-related follow-up question from the “24-hour sales challenge” episode. If you’re still feeling hesitant about the do’s and don’ts of email marketing, I hope this answer helps!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Ep. 151 - 24-hour sales challenge
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@fotovibeparty | www.fotovibeparty.com
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This week's episode is a bit unique, because it's kind of like a history lesson. Briana came on the show wanting to talk about some of the legends in our industry and the lessons that she's so quickly learned from them.
She had some rough timing with the start of her business, but her philosophy of serving first helped her become a positive contributor to her community. She's such a joyful person and her spirit is contagious, so it's no wonder she's made such an impact.
We chat about integrity, efficiency, "doing things right", and tools and techniques developed by a few of the legends she and her team follow.
I also ask a few rapid-fire business questions to Bri, including one about my most recent curiosity: exit plans. I think they're not talked about enough in our industry and I appreciated Bri's willingness to share hers!
Also, this week's UGlu Hotline topic is all about insurance - why you should have it, when you might need it and where to look for it.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Mastermind & BalloonCoach.com
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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Over the past seven years, Ryan and his wife Christine have scaled their balloon business into a full brick and mortar balloon bar in Sioux Falls, SD. They're succeeding in both retail sales and installation jobs, so I was really excited to have him on the podcast to hear more about their setup!
He takes us through their awesome automation for bouquet sales... the size options, style options, delivery charges and the platform running it all. Then Ryan shares great tips for how to get started in the automated bouquet sales process:
If you've been listening to the podcast for a while you know I'm a huge fan of automation and streamlining, so this conversation was so motivating. Especially after he shares the sales numbers they've experienced since implementing!
(And don't miss this week's tip on the UGlu Hotline about taking and recording measurements!)
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Mastermind & BalloonCoach.com
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
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This month's bonus episode is a little different since we didn't read a new book. Instead, we took a hiatus to actually implement what we've been learning!
Listen in to hear about some actions I took after the latest book, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.
Thanks to our sponsors!
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My friend Stephanie comes on the podcast for this episode and tells us all about fulfilling her dream of having a retail store. But even if retail doesn't interest you, listen in for some other great bits from our conversation that apply to all balloon business owners!
We chat about:
It was so great to have Stephanie on the show, and she completely deserves all of the success she's creating. I know you'll feel uplifted after listening to her story and advice!
Also, this week on the UGlu hotline I answer a question about the balloon walls made out of starpoint balloons and point you towards some artists who create them really, really well!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
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
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Backsliding is the concept of getting new systems all set up, only to revert back to your old ways... I've been guilty of it - have you? In this episode I'm sharing some of the areas I've backslid in, and if they ring true with you, too, let's make it a goal to pay more attention to these going forward!
Some money-related backslides for me include signing up for subscriptions I hardly use, sometimes spending too much on convenience, setting myself up for bank fees and almost always eating the cost of rush shipping instead of passing [at least some of] it onto the customer who ordered last minute.
And as we all know as entrepreneurs, we work hard for that money! So letting it slip through the cracks can really hurt.
Another thing that can occasionally get away from me is my balloon inventory. My custom color chart has been a tremendous help in keeping things in check but every now and then some other colors creep in and then I'm left with no way to use them again.
The color chart also helps me keep my shop clean because everything has its spot... so many other things in my shop don't! I need to take the time to make homes for all those odds and ends so that it doesn't go from clean to a disaster zone in one weekend.
A couple of tech-related backslides I’ve had are with my 17hats CRM and email marketing. 17hats does amazing things for me, but it does need to evolve with your business. New policies, updated workflows, etc... I need to get better about taking the time to make some small updates that reflect the new ways I do business. Email marketing... I love it and I strongly believe in it, but sometimes I just let life get in the way. This disappoints me because I know the kind of return on investment it gives me.
Lastly, I find myself backsliding on my goals. I get distracted and forget what my focus for the year was supposed to be. It's actually kind of crazy how easy it is to forget your goals if you don't keep them in front of you.
And this week’s question from the UGlu Hotline related perfectly to backsliding. I think we all fantasize about having a great pre-installation checklist, but it can be really hard to know where to start. I’m going to aim to make notes the next time I do each type of installation, then use those notes to create the nice color-coded manual I dream of.
So if after listening you're starting to feel bad about the areas you may have backslid in, just know that it was meant to be an encouraging episode for us to re-center on, shake off the cobwebs and find some areas of opportunity. You’ve got this!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Custom Color Chart | Multi-Brand ____________________________
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I've never done an episode like this before, but I'm excited to hear your results from joining in! I have a 24-hour sales challenge for you, with 7 strategies that work well for me to generate sales during the slower times.
Strategy #1: check your inbox. This might mean your email inbox or maybe it's your 17hats / CRM system. Look for those jobs where you were communicating with a customer and things kind of fizzled out for one reason or another.
Strategy #2: check your calendar to see what you were working on this time last year. I love doing a calendar audit to steadily keep jobs coming my way and to make sure the annual jobs get rebooked.
Strategy #3: dig for your pumpkins. Yes, I'm talking about the Pumpkin Plan again! In this strategy, I want you to dig through your data to find your top customers so that you can give them your best energy and attention, and be ready and willing to help them with their next event.
Strategy #4: send a newsletter. I'm a big believer in email marketing and feel like I make a sale every time I send a newsletter! It doesn't have to be fancy... in fact, I think the more personal, the better. More on this in a future episode, but I'm almost certain I booked my biggest job ever because of a newsletter.
Strategy #5: send cold emails or DMs. This one is scary for me, but Rachel of How About Balloons gave a lot of great tips on how to do this in Episode 137.
Strategy #6: post on social. And don't forget... post the things that you actually want to sell. We always want to share our most impressive work, but a lot of the time that work was actually pretty difficult to accomplish so it's not always a good idea to encourage more people to book similar jobs with you.
Strategy #7: do some cash and carry options. This is a sales strategy in reverse... first you make the thing, and then you sell it. The idea is that you are making things incredibly convenient for the customer while also using up older inventory items.
I hope this episode gives you a little boost in your sales... today! If you close a sale thanks to one of these strategies PLEASE send me a message so that I can celebrate with you!!
(And this week on the UGlu Hotline we get an awesome tip for using UGlu Dashes with your foils - don't miss it!)
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514
Ep. 53 - Set It Up September | Calendar Audit
Email Marketing for a Year | Canva Bundle
50% off your first year of Flodesk
Ep. 137 - Cold emailing | Rachel of How About Balloons
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Balloons are generally a profitable business, but there are always those traps where we overspend and let money slip through the cracks. In this episode I'm sharing the tools and strategies I believe contribute the most to my profitability.
First, it's my actual balloon inventory. I've created a custom color chart that limits the number of choices available to my customers. This means I'm spending less time ordering, I pay way less in shipping, I can easily find the color I need and my inventory is far less likely to go bad.
This custom & limited color chart has already been a game changer in my business, but I can also see how it'll continue to save me time if I decide to have my part-time employee purchase inventory in the future.
Another part of my business that contributes to my profit is my 17hats CRM. Emails, invoices, workflows... so much of it either runs on autopilot or happens with just one click. In fact, Grab and Go Garland sales are entirely automatic through 17hats!
So not only does it save me the cost of an admin assistant, it helps me to actually make money, too.
Now let's talk about actual money management. You may have heard me mention Profit First in previous episodes. It's my cash flow system that essentially makes sure I take profit. Without a doubt, implementing this system has been a major part of my profitability.
I'd say it's actually increased my confidence with money in general - mainly in my spending. I used to never know how much I could or should be spending, but now I know what the limits are and it keeps everything in check. I can't recommend the book and system enough!
Finally, the last thing that has contributed to my profitability are my rental items. To be honest, I resisted them for a long time because I know it can be a slippery slope. But now I have a limited stock of rentals that I'm proud to say have almost all paid themselves off, meaning they're practically 100% profit at this point.
I've quickly realized that rentals are not only a good way to make money, but they're also great for installations because you know exactly what you're working with.
If you feel like you're not making as much as you should in your balloon business, I have a recommended order of things to examine and implement so that you can find your way to profitability.
(And speaking of rental items, in this episode from the UGlu Hotline we cover backdrops... which ones I have, whether I use customers' backdrops and a resource to create free-standing garlands.)
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call the UGlu Hotline- (262) 221-8514 *For a limited time, callers will receive 100% off any download from The Bright Balloon Store
Inventory System w/ Custom Color Chart | Multi-Brand
Ep. 51 - Set It Up September | Profit First
Ep. 80 - Profit First Revisited with Elizabeth Fiore
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Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning and chatting about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. 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)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% @ Havin' a Party with code BRIGHT)
Alex and Ellie started their business doing lawn decorations, but after one balloon basics class they immediately fell in love with the limitless decor potential of balloons. Now, years later, they've basically become these jacks of all trades who can design practically anything!
And they're giving back to the balloon community by hosting an upcoming networking event: Mimosas, Mocktails & Mingling. It's meant to be a space for balloon business owners to reset their goals for the second half of the year, mingle and ask those business-related questions that there isn't always time for at technique classes.
They announce two fun surprises about the event in the episode and have more up their sleeve as well... I can't wait to be there and would love to know if you're going, too!
(Also in this episode from the UGlu Hotline, I'm sharing ideas on how to price marquees... which are largely thanks to Misti's awesome tips in episode 146!)
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call the UGlu Hotline- (262) 221-8514 *For a limited time, callers will receive 100% off any download from The Bright Balloon Store
Ep. 146 - Deliveries & Pricing | Misti from Balloons by Misti
Mimosas, Mocktails & Mingling: Networking for Balloon Professionals | info@pachaballoons.ca | balloonsbypacha
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When Tisha started her business, she initially set out to create and curate Insta-worthy party ideas for DIY moms, but, as she describes, balloons quickly chose her as the specific type of party decor to lean into.
Now, she's built her business up to include three part-time employees helping with inflating, install and admin work. She largely serves those looking for the over-the-top birthday parties for their kids, but, being in Las Vegas, she also gets a lot of business from bachelorette parties in the big hotels... which just may need to become its own episode!
Tisha and I also chat about the Balloon Esteem community she's building, which was sparked by Tisha's great relationships built with other vendors and other local balloon businesses. She wants to flip the script on worrying about competition and find a way for all balloon artists to lean into their craft and their superpowers while supporting one another along the way.
Balloon Esteem communities have since popped up in Texas, Ohio, California and Alaska... with more on the way! They're all about low-stress, happy vibes for balloon artists who really get what each other experience day in and day out. Plus, they're starting to do some really cool charity events as well.
We chat some more about how to properly share the information learned through investments in classes, conventions, etc., and I love and appreciate her approach of pointing people in the right direction and acknowledging the original creator.
This was such a fun and light episode that proves, once again, how much having a community helps!
(The episode also kicks off with a great question from the UGlu Hotline about itemizing invoices, and I share my middle ground approach for billing my customers that I feel keeps things easy and leaves me some design wiggle room, too.)
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call the UGlu Hotline- (262) 221-8514 *For a limited time, callers will receive 100% off any download from The Bright Balloon Store
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Flavia started her company in 2018 and has seen incredible growth ever since. Now with a fleet of vans, multiple employees and a booming business that services both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metros, Flavia has built her company into a thriving machine that I loved learning more about.
She takes us through:
(Seriously, you've got to listen in to hear what she's been through!)
As we wrap up the interview, I ask Flavia what her best advice is for getting started on hiring. And she delivers with some well thought out practices she's implemented with her own employees. Even though I don't think I'm meant to own a business in the same way she does, I'm encouraged by her advice to keep inching forward in terms of delegating pieces of my business.
Thanks, Flavia, for coming on the show and sharing your experiences!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call the UGlu Hotline- (262) 221-8514 *The first 10 callers will receive 100% off any download from The Bright Balloon Store
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My friend Misti of Balloons by Misti has developed a super unique tier system that gives her designer choice every single time. It gave me several light bulb moments that I can't wait to implement into my business and I know you'll find at least one takeaway from this episode as well!
Misti shares with us the details of how she developed her unique pricing structure that keeps it all as simple as possible. In a nutshell, she figures out the pricing for her components and builds upon that. And what I love about it is that it's a brilliant way for her as the designer to keep herself in check... because we all know how easy it is to keep adding more and more in order to get the design "just right".
And you've got to listen in for some great examples in the way she communicates with her customers... from expectations, to trust and turning down jobs, Misti shares some great language that's professional and kind while helping her keep her boundaries.
We go on to talk about the pros and cons of different booking processes, ways to interpret what our customers really want and her signature delivery goody that she includes with every order. It seems like she has 1,000 great ideas and reasons for using her balloon tags and it's definitely inspired me to start using them, too.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call the UGlu Hotline - (262) 221-8514
*The first 10 callers will receive 100% off any download from The Bright Balloon Store
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This week I'm chatting with Travis Green of Squeek Balloon & Decor about networking! So many great tips and action steps!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Call the UGlu Hotline- (262) 221-8514
*The first 10 callers will receive 100% off any download from The Bright Balloon Store
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Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning and chatting about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read Goals by Zig Ziglar. This episode is a brief overview of the key takeaways!
Thanks to our sponsors!
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Havin' a Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
It seems like it happens every year, right? Some of the goals you've set for yourself at the beginning of the year kind of fade away, either because you've forgotten about them or because you've lost interest in pursuing them. Well I'm here to say that it's OK to reevaluate your goals and shift them as needed!
In this episode, I'm reviewing the 2023 goals I set for myself and sharing how they're going. These original goals included:
I had set the goal of establishing boundaries because I felt like I was on the brink of burnout. Always answering emails and messages, recording interviews at all hours of different days... I knew something needed changing. And now I'm proud to say that I've fully implemented a better process for scheduling podcast interviews, thanks to (you guessed it) 17hats.
It's been so crucial to setting those boundaries and has got me thinking about how I can use the online scheduling function for my balloon business, too.
Another mini-goal within the boundaries goal was to quit my job. And thankfully I was able to accomplish this far earlier than I anticipated. In fact, looking back... I know it gave me the space to make so much progress in my other goals, too.
My next major goal was to make more by working less. Last year I felt like I worked so much, and to be honest I wasn't interested in feeling that way again. The mini-goals included here were actually pretty fun, too!
I've learned how to make money using credit card points, streamline and outsource my Grab & Go Garlands and more. And while I'm feeling good about the start of my credit card journey I'm realizing that I'm far short of my Grab & Go goal. So this episode has been the perfect reminder to get back to those action steps I laid out for myself!
Moving on to my recycling goal... another thing that had me a little burnt out last year was constant content creation for the podcast. I knew I needed to find a way to reuse and reutilize what was already available. Not only to give myself some time back, but also to better serve any newer listeners who may not have heard some of the amazing interviews of past episodes.
This recycling goal includes action steps like scheduling and sharing more on Instagram, utilizing the new blog on thebrightballoon.com website and finding a way to automate turning each podcast into more content.
Some of these have come easier than others and they're all definitely still a work in progress. In some cases, I've accepted that "done" is better than "perfect" and that has been hugely helpful.
Finally, my $250,000 goal... I think I'm going to make it! After I quit my job, something changed. I'm getting new jobs, I'm getting bigger jobs and I'm now able to put more energy into my "big pumpkins".
I love, love, LOVE the pumpkin concept by Mike Michalowicz and know that it's made a huge difference for me and my business. That's why I'm absolutely thrilled to say I'll be getting certified to teach and help implement these concepts with you, my listeners!!
My "pumpkins" keep me on track in remembering my priorities. They give me clarity and focus. And because I've done the work to identify who my ideal clients are, I can now identify one as soon as they hit my inbox.
I cannot wait for what's ahead with this certification - stay tuned!
That wraps up the progress on my goals, but I always love hearing yours, too! Let me know how things are going for you so far in 2023!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Ep. 117 - My 2023 goals
2023 Bright Balloon Business Planner
Ep. 132 - I quit my job
Ep. 121 - Grab & Go Outsourcing
Ep. 101 - Pumpkin Planning Your Balloon Business
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I've always lived in organized chaos - are you the same?! But what I'm beginning to notice is that the organized parts of my life (like my actual balloon storage) are making the less organized parts of my life really stand out... and sometimes in a painful way. I've decided I need to find a more consistent and systematic decluttering process, not only for the physical, but for the mental and digital stuff of life, too.
And while I'm not as concerned about the appearance of the physical clutter, I am seeing ways that it's hurting my functionality. Bit by bit, I've been losing floor space to work in. And I'm seeing how it's not only annoying to not be able to find things, but it's costing me time (and therefore money) and is also becoming somewhat hazardous.
If you need some motivation to start your own decluttering process, I'll share (again) some thoughts of Denise Duffield-Thomas. She says that it's hard to attract larger jobs if deep down, you don't feel like you can actually fulfill them. And this is exactly what keeps me motivated to follow through with my decluttering.
In the episode I also share a couple of more practical tactics I'm using to help me declutter my inventory and free up shop space... things like tracking the types of bases I use most, better storing my centerpieces, etc.
Moving on to the mental and digital decluttering... this can really get out of hand if you let it! I'm so thankful that 17hats takes care of organizing all of my customer files, but some other things that I'm focused on decluttering digitally are:
As you listen you'll hear how excited I get about decluttering this digital stuff, because it's cleared up that much mental energy for me. I can't recommend it enough!
Stay tuned on Instagram as I share the progress in my shop decluttering! And I hope this episode gives you that "permission" to finally get rid of some of those things you know you should have!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Ep. 142 - Convention Experiences | Steven of FLOAT & Balloon Designers
Ep. 102 - Product Development | Lilly from The Creative Heart Studio
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In this episode I'm chatting with Steven Jones, the Executive Director of FLOAT, a convention that is very near and dear to my heart. That's why I'm so excited to announce a FLOAT registration giveaway!! Listen in to hear all of the details... the winner will be announced June 19!
If you're not familiar with this convention, this interview is going to be a great introduction; and if you're a FLOAT veteran, tune in for some behind the scenes scoops that definitely surprised me.
I really appreciated Steven's honesty about not only running the convention but also his own balloon business, Balloon Designers in the Seattle area, for over 20 years.
We chat about things like:
Steven even flatters me by recalling my incredible experience of being named the 2019 FLOAT Designer of the Year. We also go on to talk about some of the unique competitions that have taken place at the convention over the years, and what new event is in place for the 2024 convention.
Truly, I think FLOAT is a special convention that you should try to go to if at all possible. Don't forget to enter for your chance at free registration / getting your registration reimbursed!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Ep. 36 Part Two: Balloon Conventions: FLOAT
FLOAT Convention Website | Facebook Group
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Today I'm discussoing how to book big jobs, and more importantly, now to re-book them for reliable, consistant money!
Register for my in-person "Impressive Installations" class here
How to find large jobs
How to charge and consider additional expenses
How to pitch and what my proposals look like
How to secure annual bookings and the importance of following up
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats / 17hats Bootcamp
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning and chatting about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read The Passion Economy by Adam Davidson. 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)
In this episode we're checking in with three previous guests, plus I'll give an update on how things are going since quitting my full-time job nearly two months ago... some of which are great and some that I didn't really anticipate...
First up is Tinesha, who may not have realized what an impact she had on me in our first interview. She said, "everything you want is on the other side of fear" and little did she know, that day my husband and I were looking at the house we have since bought that has also allowed me to have my balloon shop!
Tinesha sends in a note to let us know how her business has changed and she's got another new motto she shares, too.
Then we hear from Alissa, who actually won her shop space not long before the first interview. She lets us know if she stayed in the space after her free year was up, plus the cool new things they're incorporating into their business.
Alissa was such a treat to interview and then I got to work with her at the Big Balloon Build, too! If you're pursuing retail space be sure to check out her unique story.
Finally, we hear again from Hayley who talked about self-employment in her previous interview. Needless to say, this interview had an incredible impact on me, too. The tips she gave absolutely sparked the thought that going full-time with balloons was possible.
She lets us know what's up with their shop, their operations and their employees.
As for me, I feel like I've settled into my new normal after quitting my full-time job. But that hasn't been without some challenges, like:
But onto the happier side... I've not had an ounce of regret in my decision. In fact, as I look back I see how insecure I really was in that position and I feel like I got out at the right time. Now I get to schedule my health, podcast interviews and site visits whenever I want!
All in all, I wouldn't say it's been an easy change, but it's absolutely an awesome one.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Ep. 32 - Everything you want is on the other side of fear | An interview with Tinesha from Mbellish Events @mbellishballoons_bg
Ep. 85 - Pop-up shops | Alissa from Twee Partees @tweepartees
Ep. 74 - Self-Employment | Hayley from Pop! Balloon Bar & Party @pop.balloonbar
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Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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Today I want to share with you two concepts I learned from Denise Duffield-Thomas in her book Chill and Prosper, and they address how we can get past convincing ourselves that we aren't ready for the next step.
First is procrastibranding, where we tell ourselves that we can't: buy business cards because we don't have a website yet; or advertise for the next season because we haven't decided on our sales packages. There are so many ways that we can convince ourselves not to move forward!
Instead, lean in on her second concept of placeholder marketing that will help you take some action. I actually just went through this procrastibranding - placeholder marketing situation with my Glow Retreat!
I kept feeling like the website had to be more built out, I needed more Instagram posts, I needed a better schedule, etc. but I was just too excited to announce it that I went for it anyway and was so delighted when it sold out on the first day. (Thanks again to everyone who signed up - I'm so incredibly excited to see you there!)
After I saw that happen it opened my eyes to some areas I've been procrastibranding in my balloon business, too. Things like:
And I'll tell you, once you start rolling with your placeholder marketing and discovering that you can succeed with it, those decision-making powers start to trickle out into the rest of your business, too! So, what do you do from here? First, know that everything is temporary. You can change it when the time comes. And your "placeholder" marketing might just do the job! Chances are, nobody will be looking that closely at your logo or your business card, etc.
Force yourself to take some action now so that you have the opportunity to improve them later. You won't make much money in your business if you're stuck in non-action.
What are some other ways we procrastinate in our businesses? Maybe you avoid putting systems like pricing guides or color charts in place, that you know will help your customers, but are afraid will box you in. That was me for so long but once I created these items I couldn't believe the difference in how much more quickly I was able to book my jobs. I'm also certain that the color chart has saved me tons of money because I don't need to chase every new color that comes on the market.
As you're listening and discover something that you've also been avoiding, I hope this episode motivates you to take action on at least one thing… today! Let me know! What are you taking action on next?
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats / 17hats Bootcamp
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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In this episode I'm sharing all the details about what it was like to host The Big Balloon Build in my hometown. If you're not familiar, it's an organization started by Stuart Davies who used to do these builds in his own community in Wales. I was actually only the third person in the United States to host one since it's become an international event!
It's just like it sounds, a big (let's be honest... huge) build, where we used over 120,000 balloons and had over 70 artists from around the world come in to make it happen. After the build is completed, it's turned over to a charity for fundraising. I'm so proud to say we raised over $110,000 and received over 2000 pounds of food donations at my build!
But it wasn't without a ton of work! If you're considering hosting, or even just going to participate, I have a few behind the scenes notes on some of the things I'm glad I prepared for and some things I wish I had prepared for. Things like:
Was it worth it? Long story short... yes, but I do think you need to prepare for what kind of outcomes are realistic, what might not be and what you, as a host, actually want to accomplish or gain from hosting.
And now that my duties with The Big Balloon Build are through, it's confirmed for me that I should finally host the retreat I've been thinking about for over a year!
I'm so, so excited to announce that registration is open for the first ever Glow Retreat, a women's retreat for balloon business owners! This all-inclusive event will take place in Lake Geneva, WI, from August 7-10, 2023, and is limited to the first 12 participants.
It's actually a balloon-free event where instead of building, we'll be focusing on implementing the strategies of my favorite book, The Pumpkin Plan. From figuring out your area of innovation, to finding your "pumpkin" clients, to creating an actual plan of what to do following the retreat... we'll be bouncing ideas off each other to strategize and set goals over good food and with gorgeous scenery.
My favorite part of any convention or event I attend is always getting to know people and creating relationships through conversation, and that is exactly what I'm hoping for for all of the retreat attendees! Full schedule of events and info can be found at the link below!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats / 17hats Bootcamp
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT... new code!)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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Rachel of How About Balloons comes on the show in this episode to talk about cold pitch emails (and interestingly enough, it was a cold pitch email that got this interview scheduled!). The timing of this conversation couldn't be better for me as I dive into full-time balloons and want to take more of an offensive approach rather than waiting to see who contacts me.
Rachel and her mom Lisa have had a lot of success with this type of marketing in their business and I'm so excited to share our conversation, and their tips, with you all!
Believe it or not, she's been able to bring her experience as a pediatric dental hygienist into her balloon business in order to communicate with people in a supportive, but fast and condensed way.
She shares with us their strategy for reaching out to local event planners and venues via Instagram and email. Not only that, she gives a few ideas for subject lines and actual email content! Then I put her on the spot and ask for some constructive feedback on a strategy I've been testing.
We also chat about things like how they've kept their growth goal front and center from the start, how they've managed their framework inventory as a newer business and what kinds of things they did to invest in their business.
I cannot wait to incorporate these ideas and suggestions from Rachel in my business and am so thankful to her for sharing. We even end the interview with such an optimistic view on our industry... I just know you're going to be inspired by this episode!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
How About Balloons on Instagram
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read Company of One by Paul Jarvis. 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)
In this episode I'm sharing a list of things I constantly use and wholeheartedly recommend. Several of them were recommended to me by some friends at Balloon Boss Summit and have been enormously helpful in my balloon business!
First up, a paraffin wax hand spa and an anti-fatigue mat. I ordered these immediately upon recommendation from Diana, and they might not be in the need-to-have category, but wow, they are sure nice to have when you're inflating for hours on end. They're also great additions to your shop if you have employees who you want to keep comfortable and happy.
And on the practical end, let's talk rubber bands! I use two different sizes: #117a and #33 (thanks to Jenny for these recommendations!). The #117a size is pretty large and perfect for adding clusters into garlands. The #33 size is more of a "regular" size rubber band, but can still stretch over 16' balloons. I probably go through two boxes a month of each of these sizes!
Something I've splurged on is the Gimble. It stabilizes your phone while you're recording video and comes with a tripod, joystick controller and app. Which means you can get some awesome time lapse videos, horizontal panning across your entire installation and video effects.
Next up are a couple of exceptions to my own rule... tiny self-sealing foil balloons (here and here). I've used these in baby showers, birthday parties, etc. and really appreciate the time they can save me compared to heat-sealing balloons while installing on site.
Framework! I've gotten away from worrying about having the strongest, sturdiest framework possible, and have been experimenting with different options. I feel like I’m narrowing in on what works best and these chiara frames are so portable and inexpensive that I'm able to have multiple out at once.
This next item is something I discovered the hard way that I needed: replacement light sockets. I recently upgraded my inventory to include marquee light-up numbers and got in a bit of a pinch when a string of them went out one day. Thankfully, they're so easy to replace and now I’m better prepared for the next time it happens.
I'm also loving these shelf dividers to keep my balloon inventory tidy and really easily accessible. They're actually meant for closets and are clear, vertical dividers that I've stuck into my IKEA cubbies in order to utilize the whole space. I've been really surprised at how well they're holding up, too!
Finally, this business card plus rack card combo holder. This came in so handy when I started running my Grab and Go Garlands through the local grocery stores because it helps me have multiple materials on display at once. It holds my business card and garland instruction card.
I hope you find a couple of things in this list that will help your comfort, speed or ordering process, too! And listen to the end because I'm giving some details of what's ahead for the podcast and book club!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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Nicolle of POParazzi Balloons is based out of New York, and she has been in business for more than 12 years, so I loved talking with a veteran about not only her celebrity decor jobs, but also competition, growth and continuous learning.
In this episode we chat about:
Specifically, she mentions that event planners were a huge reason she was able to break into providing balloon decor for celebrities. She shares with us how she approaches these installations and what kind of limitations can sometimes be in place with celebrity decor jobs.
When we talk about business growth, we talk about existing vs. new customer relationships, communication style & preferences, marketing and minimums. I loved her take on making sure an installation is right for you, but still being open to accept the smaller jobs that help you remember the joy you're bringing to people with balloons.
Her view on competition... is that it's not a competition! She loves meeting new people who enjoy doing balloons just as much as her... and what a great attitude to have! Learn more and connect with her at https://www.poparazziballoons.com/about.
Lastly, Nicolle lets us know what kind of education she received to jump start her business and the types of things she does to stay up to date with new techniques, tactics and process improvements.
I had such a nice time meeting and talking with Nicolle - I'm sure you'll love hearing from her, too!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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Whether you're preparing for a vacation, going to a convention... or even hosting the Big Balloon Build, it's a good idea to plan for the time away from your business. Not only to be able to participate in the event, but to actually be able to enjoy it!
In this episode I'm sharing some of the ways that I prepare to be out of the office and away from my business for an extended period.
First, I make a point to protect my time before and after events. The minute I sign up for a convention or book a trip, I take a look at the days around that event and block off some time to get prepared or settled back in.
In fact, I got some accidental down time after last year's Balloon Boss Summit due to weather, and it turned out to be one of the best ways for me to digest all that I had learned during the convention!
Another thing I like to do before I leave is to make sure my shop is in order. It feels so much better to come back to an organized shop or home than it does to come back to a mess. In the same vein, I love to plan my outfits to support the things I'm doing while I'm away. I take care of all the laundry I can ahead of time so that I have what I need when I'm gone and when I come back.
When it comes to customer communication, I always like to warn my customers that my communication will be slow while I'm away. Normally, I take pride in being able to respond quickly, but because I know I won't be able to maintain that speed while I'm gone I want to tell my customers why.
Here are the ways that I let my customers know:
I've specifically decided against:
The next thing I do is to schedule social media... sometimes. This just depends on where I'm going when I'm away. For instance, I'll be scheduling social media for the podcast while I'm busy hosting The Big Balloon Build, but as Wisconsin Balloon Decor, I'll be much better off posting content live and as it's happening.
Another thing I do before I'm away is to forecast my orders for the couple of weeks following my event. I've found this to be better than having to settle back in, figure out what inventory is needed and then hope that I still have time to get what I need to fulfill the jobs ahead.
Finally, despite the fact that I give customers notice about my slow response time, I will still monitor my email for the leads that are too good to pass up. To be able to get messages back out to these leads quickly, I have email templates ready in 17hats, and I also save some pre-written messages in my phone's notes section.
Even if the message doesn't follow my usual booking process, I love having a way to let these people know that they can count on me for their request.
So there you have it! The things I do before I'm away from my business. Is there anything that you would add?
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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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!
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:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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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:
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:
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:
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:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
Ep. 74. Self-Employment | Hayley from Pop! Balloon Bar & Party
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Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
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)
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:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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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:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com
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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:
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:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
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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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:
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:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale Flange (save 5% with code BRIGHT) & Teachable Moment
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Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
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)
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:
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:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Ep. 92 Free ways to over serve
Ep. 107 What are your money sabotages?
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I know data tracking sounds boring and overwhelming (and it can be if you let it), but there are ways to collect and use data without feeling like you’re going in circles! In this episode I'm sharing with you how I'm collecting my data, what I use it for and how to keep it simple.
And let me just start by saying that if you're running your business through Instagram DMs, unfortunately you're going to have a really hard time gathering data. That's why I can't recommend a CRM like 17hats enough! Whenever you're ready to access your data, it's there waiting for you in several different reports.
What kind of data I'm focusing on
Something I'm super focused on tracking this year is my highest-paying clients, otherwise known as my big pumpkins if you're familiar with The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz. This group of 10 or so people can make up a huge chunk of your sales and deserve to be catered to!
And anyone can find this data for their business. I really hope you take a few minutes today to identify these clients and get them on your radar in time to earn their repeat business!
Another big eye-opener for me in terms of data was finding out what my top-selling item was. After you've done a huge job it can be easy to assume that all that custom decor would be your number one sales product when in fact, you might have a product that is purchased so consistently it rises to the top of the list without you really noticing. And what a huge bonus if it's one of your most profitable products, too!
What I'm doing with my data
Now that I know what's selling best, I'm pushing that item even more! I'm making it super easy to find on my website, I'm posting more pictures of it and I'm making sure to recommend it over and over again.
Sure, sometimes we can get sick of making the same thing all of the time, but if it's what's supporting and driving your business... why stop?
Another way to collect data
Tags are another great way to help you collect, categorize and sort your data. I love tagging my projects with the type of event it is. This helps me know what kind of clients I'm attracting and again, helps me narrow in and push those events even more.
I also love tagging my customers with where they're coming from, specifically repeat clients. I'll then know to look back through their previous projects and remember what kinds of decor I've done for them in the past.
Finally, I use tags on my products! I categorize between pickup, delivery and install orders. Doing this helped me make an easy, informed decision on the party poles we all started creating during the pandemic.
There are so many ways and reasons to tag your people and products... they can help you track anything you want to keep an eye on. I like to think of it as creating my own custom data!
Monthly data to track
Now I'm not much for setting monthly sales or leads goals in my business, but I've realized I want to have access to these numbers so that my future self can be comforted by the data as my business ebbs and flows. And it really can be as easy as keeping anecdotal notes on your phone, too.
Lastly, I'm also going to be keeping tabs on my email marketing data. I actually really love reviewing this data because I can use it to experiment with how my emails look. It helps me figure out what kind of language and link placement converts to the most clicks. And with a provider like Mailchimp, you don't even have to do any digging to get this data... hooray!
By the way, if you're stepping up your email marketing game along with me, I strongly suggest you make sure your unsubscribe notifications are off. Because even if you had a bunch of people click to learn more about the special you've emailed, sometimes it's just that one unsubscribe that can set you back for the whole day.
To summarize, I can't encourage you enough to start tracking something in your business today. But if you find yourself completely frozen in terms of where to look and what to do, you can also join me in getting done-for-you data in the Stats Membership from Let Nicole Help!
So let's hear it! What are you wanting to track this year?!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
50% off your 1st year of 17hats | Boot Camp
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Let Nicole Help Stats Membership
Email Marketing for a Year | Canva Bundle
____________________________
Support the show / join the book club
50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list
Social media kind of stole the hearts of business owners and left email marketing behind for a while. But now, with less and less of our social followers even seeing our posts, and businesses just disappearing into the night after being hacked, I'm all in on email marketing again this year.
In this episode I'll share the why, the how and the what about email marketing... the ripple effect it creates, a formula for growing your list and specific ideas for content.
The why:
If done consistently, email marketing will build your know, like and trust factor.
Our jobs as balloon artists is to help our customers create memories... and I consider email marketing as an extension of that. Whatever we can serve up to our customers that is in that same vein will build you so much authority.
I think of it as the ability to hand-deliver a letter to someone whose already told me they like what I do and offer. (Meanwhile, on social media, it can feel like screaming into the void and just hoping someone notices me.)
The how:
There are so many email marketing platforms out there, and a lot of them allow thousands of contacts for free. I've got a couple of platform recommendations along with the specific features I've loved in the episode.
You can also experience the process of list-building as a consumer with my free resource below, 50 Ideas for Email Marketing. Look at the process objectively to see how it works, plus use the freemium to grow your own list!
The what:
I'll be building my emails in a newsletter format, with a few blocks: a balloon content block; a personal update block; a community-building block; a block with info on a major ongoing project of mine (which is currently The Big Balloon Build); and then finally a block for promotions.
I've also created a bundle of Canva templates with those balloon content blocks that will help you get started on your email marketing journey!
Oh, and don't worry, I'm not suggesting this becomes more on your plate. I'll share with you where I'm dialing back in order to be successful with this.
So, here's to having control over our messaging and becoming community-building authorities in our areas... are you joining me?!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Email Marketing for a Year | Canva Bundle
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
____________________________Support the show / join the book club
50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list
Elizabeth's balloon business is in Arizona and she specializes in offering custom colors for her clients. She shares with us the story of how her decor business started and the two major reasons why she took on the technique of double-stuffing (which has now become a helpful subscription for other balloon pros!).
The two major reasons she double-stuffs is to:
- preserve the design in extreme heat
- create custom colors for her clients
She tell us about the very specific color she was looking to create and how that brought her to the idea for her subscription business. Things like this subscription are exactly what I'm aiming for this year... documented steps to help my processes run smoothly over and over again!
The subscription gives you access to a library of over 100 custom colors, and new colors will be released every month. She even matches them to Pantone colors, which her corporate clients especially love because she can match their branding exactly!
We also went on to chat about tying these double-stuffed balloons, her Teachable Moments demonstration, whether balloon size or brand impacts the custom colors, what color gives the most unexpected colors when double-stuffed... and she also gives us an awesome solution for maroon!
It was clear right away that her and I have areas of innovation (as covered in The Pumpkin Plan). You've heard me say multiple times that mine is without a doubt, convenience. Elizabeth's, on the other hand, is quality, and providing that customized client experience.
We have a great conversation about how that impacts our marketing, our processes and our communication with our clients.
I left this interview going from a non-double-stuffer to someone who is now open to incorporating it when it makes sense. A couple of her color creations are undeniably helpful!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Ep. 95 Double-stuffed balloons | Joette from BalloonCoach.com
____________________________
Support the show / join the book club
Never miss an update - join The Bright Balloon email list
Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read through The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. This episode is a brief overview of the key takeaways!
Thanks to our sponsors!
Havin' a Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Before I get into the details of how I'm outsourcing my Grab & Go Garlands, let me take you through a brief history of my progression with Grab & Gos:
- started the service last year with inspiration from Ali of Charming Garlands
- established a pickup spot that felt more appropriate than at my home
- generated about $12k of additional revenue in 2022 because of the Grab & Gos!
- created a Grab and Go Bundle with Ali to help you start your own Grab & Go process
- have now completely outsourced the creation and handing off of the garlands
I decided to outsource my garlands for a few reasons:
- many customers did not come at their scheduled pickup time
- my shop was always so full of weekend decor by my Thursday pickup day
- I honestly just got a bit tired of making them!
The inspiration to outsource them came from a few places:
- an interview with Joe of Havin' a Party, where we talked about pop-up balloon bars
- a bit of luck selling a Grab & Go to a local grocery store owner
- knowing my "area of innovation", thanks to The Pumpkin Plan
Here's what I love about this setup that benefits me, my customers and the store:
- I'm able to provide a much larger pickup window for my customers
- I don't have to deal with late / early customers
- my customers are also able to grab other party necessities while picking up their garland
- the store has generously made a space for me to advertise the garlands
- I'm still able to take payment online and upfront through online scheduling in 17hats
- the only time I touch the balloons is to move them from my shop to the grocery store
- I write the grocery store a check at the end of the month to give them their portion of the sales
- other grocery stores want in on the action because they can't get helium
Listen in to hear how I pitched the idea, the details of our agreement, how this could solve your pickup problem if you're home-based and more juicy details about how this process is going!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BalloonCoach.com & Balloon Boss Mastermind
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
50% off annual 17hats subscription
Let Nicole Help 17hats setup service
Ep. 89 The Balloon Bar | Joe from Havin' a Party
Ep. 108 Why I stopped inflating balloons
Ep. 83 All about Grab & Go Garlands
____________________________
Support the show / join the book club
This episode is all about positive reflection on 2022! My wins, your wins and our collective win-wins! I've absolutely LOVED reading your comments on Instagram and am so inspired and grateful to you all for sharing.
Some wins from 2022 that I'm so excited about:
Some wins & specifically helpful resources you've all shared:
Your AWESOME goals:
Financial - Charging without fear, making a range from $10k to $200k, having one big $1500 job per month, getting expenses in order / managing cash flow
Marketing - Building a website (so many of you!), getting more corporate clients, launching an online store, getting into the wedding market
Life - Working smarter and not harder, expanding by empowering & assisting other balloon artists, finding balance between business & parenting, attending Summit, making people happy!
Assets - Getting a new space and a new van
Systems - Utilizing more of 17hats and getting on top of admin
If you haven't found a moment to make your 2023 goals yet, I can't encourage it enough! I'm a huge believer that writing them down and keeping them visible is half the battle to reaching your goals... and I've got some tricks for that in this episode.
In closing for 2022, thanks so, so much to our sponsors for their unwavering support of The Bright Balloon Podcast. And thank YOU as a listener! I've loved growing along with you and can't wait to take on 2023 with you!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
The Bright Balloon Business Planner
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In this episode, I'll share with you some of my favorite gift ideas for your clients, your employees, other vendors you work well with... and yourself! I've even got some no-cost gift ideas to share, and acceptable ways to repurpose balloons as gifts in your community.
My favorite types of gifts are always small, consumable things that don't put much pressure on myself or the recipient, because I just don't think anybody needs any more things in their life.
I hope you'll find a few helpful ideas if you got a little behind in your gift-giving this year like I did!
Gift ideas for your clients
Gifts for employees
Gifts for yourself
No-cost gifts
Gifts for teachers and schools
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
The Creative Heart Studio Name Charms
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This will be the first year that I've ever had a full marketing strategy going into the year. I just feel like turnover at so many companies has not slowed down since the pandemic, and it's time for me to start taking better care of some of the relationships I have with my best customers.
My actual strategy, though, might surprise you!
My approach will include:
Facebook first: posting with purpose
With Facebook, I'm realizing that the connections I want to make with other businesses are more likely to happen there than on Instagram. And it's because things are so much more shareable in Facebook.
I want to tag the businesses and venues I'm working at and leave call to actions that people can follow to learn more.
That means with Instagram, I'll still be posting some portfolio-type images to my grid, but I'll also be looking into pinned posts, stories and stats more to dictate what gets posted to that platform.
Email marketing: consistency & pre-scheduling
With email marketing, I'll be bringing my consistent email approach from the podcast over into my balloon business. Honestly, this has always felt difficult because I don't want every email to be asking for money or talking about a sale.
And it's why I've actually created a new resource for you (and me!) that will take care of all the email marketing heavy lifting.
I've got a bundle of 24 emails in a Canva template that you can push out to Mailchimp or pull into another email service provider, setting up your email marketing for THE YEAR. The images and coordinating text go along with the seasonal holidays and big events happening around that time.
They are literally ready to copy, paste and hit send!
(Listen in to hear an embarrassing story about why I didn't include any placeholder text like "insert customer name here"... I surely wasn't going to set you up for that kind of failure!)
Back to my strategy, I'm also going to explore blocks of info in my emails that share upcoming local events and the like, because I know those clicks will tell me what my customers are interested in.
Recycle, recycle, recycle
And this takes me to my next big strategy of recycling content. I want to use these email templates as the basis for my social posts. Meaning, I'll be taking the square images from those templates and sharing them out to Facebook and Instagram as well.
I'm also going to reuse the emails year after year!
Big pumpkin energy
Finally, my big pumpkin energy is related to the ideas shared in The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz. This book has changed the way I look at my business and I can't recommend it enough.
I want to focus on the clients that I've already got a good relationship with and who hire me for big jobs. I really think this will prevent me from getting all wrapped up in the comparison game that we all fall victim to.
I feel like these strategies and goals fold into one another really effortlessly and it gives me a lot of confidence in making it happen this year!
I'd love to hear your goals and marketing plans for 2023! DM me on Instagram @thebrightballoon or email me: thebrightballoon@gmail.com
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
email bundle
The Bright Balloon Business Planner
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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I LOVE goal-setting, and that it gives me something to reflect back on when I'm feeling lost or confused with different choices available to me. In this episode, I'm walking you through how I've filled out the latest version of the Bright Balloon Business Planner! Including:
- what my 2022 goals were
- the symbolic upgrades that helped me reach them
- more reflection on my business
- what I'm working towards in 2023!
My 2022 goals included hitting the same total balloon sales number, but with less jobs, plus reaching 2000 email subscribers and 100,000 downloads for the podcast. It was actually really fun to work towards number-based goals that weren't sales and I'm proud to say that I reached them all!
In 2023, I'll be considering my balloon business and the podcast together for my goals. Initially, the goals sound a little vague, but when I break them down into smaller mini-goals I'll have more measurable milestones to help keep me on track.
My goals include:
- setting & keeping stronger boundaries
- making more by working less
- recycling content
- a big & scary sales goal!
I hope that by listening in you will get some sparks of encouragement for setting your 2023 goals. And I'd love to hear what they are!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
The Bright Balloon Business Planner
____________________________
Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read through Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield-Thomas, who always inspires me. I'll share a few key takeaways from that book and cover a few other top lessons learned in the book club this year.
Thanks to our sponsors!
Havin' a Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
I love automation and figuring out ways that technology can save me time. I would actually estimate that the mix of platforms I'll be telling you about in this episode save me 5 hours of work a week!
It can definitely be a process to implement some of these, but knowing what kind of freedom is at the end of it really does make it worth it. I just know that having these automations is what has allowed me to be such a lean business for so long, and I promise you, there is something you are doing that you don't have to be doing.
In this episode, I'll be chatting about these tools and tasks that make up the automations in my business:
17hats: I use this for every single aspect of my service business
- inquiry form & auto-response
- invoice reminders
- delivery reminder
- Grab & Go scheduling & booking
Zapier: helps your tech platforms talk to each other
- published podcast episode automates an Instagram post as well
- new course customer gets added to my email list
- new 17hats contact gets added to a list
- new money quiz takers get added to my email list
Jasper AI: artificial intelligence copywriter
- improves balloon picture captions
- improves your "about" section
- helps with SEO
Website: allows people to get information about my business
- it's available 24/7
- directs people to the information they were looking for
Later.com & Canva: scheduling my social media
- Later.com is great for photo dumping & scheduling
- Canva is for creating graphics & scheduling
- Canva will also allow you to share templates as links & view - only links
- make QR codes in Canva, too
I'd love to hear if you've got any others that I could experiment with!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
17hats - 50% off referral code
The Weekend Launch (build your own website)
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Chase and Alex from Premium Conwin come on the show for this episode to talk about how their two companies joined forces for the better of the balloon industry.
Their support at some of our biggest events has been simply incredible and I can't wait to see and experience what's ahead thanks to their merger. For so long, these two companies have felt like the backbone of balloon decor and now we will all benefit from them working together!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:18 - how our guests got involved in the balloon world
07:48 - the growth of the relationship between the two companies
11:30 - what the merger means for us as balloon artists
20:43 - sustainability goals from Premium Conwin
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
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I've been getting a lot of messages lately about balloon drops, so I thought I would dedicate a whole episode to share some of my thoughts and experiences with them!
They're so much different from regular decor because they have to actually function and entertain your customers. And that can make them really stressful! But balloon drops are such a great way to get your foot in the door at places like resorts, hotels and country clubs so I believe they're worth it!
In this episode I'm talking about how I learned to make them, how I install them, what I charge, a couple of balloon drop nightmares I've experienced and a couple of New Year's Eve alternatives. I'd love to hear what approach you're taking for NYE!
TIMESTAMPS:
03:10 - how I got started in balloon drops
06:06 - my nightmare first drop
09:27 - netting & rigging
15:56 - top tips for color selection & pricing
21:29 - helping your customers have a successful drop
24:56 - balloon drop alternatives
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
____________________________
Personally, I've had awesome luck running a home-based business, but I know that can't and won't always be the case. Jamie comes on the show for this episode to tell us all about her new shop, including special considerations she took in the process of getting it.
It was so fun to hear Jamie's business story again. From laid off, to every balloon popping on her first job, to now having her own shop, I know you'll find her inspiring. Listen in for some awesome motivation to take the next step with your balloon business!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:54 - the progression of her business
06:23 - all the details about finding her shop
17:16 - the inside of her shop
22:41 - the money factor
32:48 - how her business has changed since moving in
43:35 - mindset changes since moving in
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
BalloonCoach.com Mastermind | 2023 Summit early bird special
____________________________
Here's another overview of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read through Business Made Simple by Donald Miller and I have a few takeaways that I'll share in this bonus episode.
Thanks to our sponsors!
Havin' a Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
So the topic of this episode might feel a little bit scary, but I actually came away from this recording session with a lot of ideas!
Elizabeth and Jeff share a bunch of proactive things that you can do when you see inflation starting to affect your business and the things around you. From analyzing your pricing and profitability to adjusting your marketing strategy, there are plenty of things you can do to avoid being a victim of a recession!
Listen in and let us know what steps you're going to take first to maintain a healthy business!
TIMESTAMPS:
01:29 - what to do when a recession feels imminent
06:39 - shifting and pivoting your business
15:54 - pricing and profitability
25:04 - saving, investing and selling
37:29 - specific actions to take now
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Fiore Accounting & Tax Services
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Thank you all so much for participating in this "ask me anything" on Instagram! I really had a lot of fun thinking through these questions and how I handle them in my business.
I've left quite a few resources here in the show notes that relate to the answers to your questions, and hope that I was able to share some helpful insight!
TIMESTAMPS:
1:58 - backdrops, invoices, helium and diversifying
10:35 - color choices and quoting process
13:05 - picking your business name & where to start
15:57 - outdoor balloons & the trajectory of balloon decor
18:25 - my van, when to start with a CRM & pricing calculators
22:03 - goals and dreams for my business
24:52 - favorite inflator
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Custom Color Chart | Multi-Brand
17hats setup from Let Nicole Help
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To be honest, I never thought I would record an episode like this! But while it's still pretty fresh, I wanted to give the run-down of what it looks like to have hired someone to help me inflate my balloons.
This episode has all the juicy details...why I decided I finally needed to hire help, what was holding me back, how I found and trained her, what's working, what's not and what I pay her!
If you're thinking of hiring, maybe that person in your business won't be an inflator, but a front office or salesperson. But the same concerns and benefits will likely apply. Listen in and let me know how you're feeling about making your first hire! And thanks again to Tiffany of Confetti Castle for helping me take the leap!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:38 - how I've run my business until now & what / who inspired my decision
07:53 - why I was holding myself back from hiring
15:03 - the hiring and onboarding process
28:44 - how much I pay her
34:22 - an interesting side affect of having hired help
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)
Fiore Accounting & Tax Services
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In this episode I'm going to take you through how the most common money sabotages could be affecting your balloon business.
Plus, I'll share my own most recent sabotage, what I'm doing to self-correct and how I found a solution that satisfies all three of my top money archetypes, allowing me to stay in alignment with my goals.
It's a pretty humbling episode, so I hope you'll listen in and benefit by learning about my mistake!
TIMESTAMPS:
04:57 - my most recent sabotaging & an update
11:29 - where to keep learning more about your money archetype
17:45 - most common money sabotages for each archetype
Here's another overview of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read through Purple Cow by Seth Godin and despite accidentally getting the older version of the book, I still had some key takeaways.
Thanks to our sponsors!
I have absolutely fallen in love with learning about money mindset and money personalities lately! In fact, I feel like I've gained this superpower that helps me understand myself, my business, my customers and the people around me in a whole new way.
In this episode, I'm sharing with you what the 8 different money personalities (or archetypes) are, my own archetypes and how I see them playing out in my business… good and bad.
TIMESTAMPS:
2:50 - how I learned about money archetypes & what it's all about
4:18 - how to find your money archetype
6:55 - the 8 archetypes and their strengths
20:52 - figuring out how your top money archetypes work together
23:56 - my top 3 archetypes and what they mean for my business and life
36:50 - upcoming workshops to help you lean into your money strengths
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
In this episode, I'm talking with my balloon bestie, Dennis Scott, who I first met at a face painting convention. Over the years we've helped each other with some of our biggest jobs, as we both run our balloon businesses on the side of our full-time jobs.
He has a lot of experience hiring short-term help, which is exactly why I wanted to bring him on the show!
The idea of hiring is a big hurdle I'm trying to overcome with my money mindset. But now that I've felt the difference it makes, I'm a little obsessed with working more on money mindset... so much so that I'm in the process of getting certified to be a money mindset coach! Stay tuned for future trainings, episodes, etc. and jot your email down to make sure you don't miss what's next.
Money Personality sign-up. More coming soon!
TIMESTAMPS:
06:35 - balloon twisting vs. decor
13:20 - getting help without hiring employees
22:27 - hiring and paying friends & family vs. other balloon professionals
35:52 - getting help with inflating & hiring the right people
47:18 - let your business be where you want it to be
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
My friend Meg from 365 Days of Balloons had a great idea to do an entire episode related to some of the red flags we've all experienced with our clients.
But this won't be a daunting, miserable episode. It's lighthearted, fun and full of things that probably only we, as balloon professionals, can understand.
Thank you all so much for sending these in - I had a blast reading through them and relate to so, so many of your same frustrations!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:46 - my own red flags
10:03 - your red flags (pricing, over-curious, contact people, etc.)
31:00 - finding your area of innovation & setting boundaries
38:55 - intuition
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
Lilly of The Creative Heart Studio takes us behind the scenes in this episode to share about the product development process for her artist apparel that is so widely used in the balloon world.
I think it's a pretty fascinating process and give her so much credit for the patience involved to see a product come to fruition!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
We are moving to 5 episodes per month! From now on, I'll be giving an overview of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!
Last month, we read through The Pumpkin Plan and it seriously changed my life! I hope you enjoy this overview and my key takeaways.
The first two episodes of the Pumpkin Plan are set to public so you can go take the book club for a test drive if you are interested in joining!
Thanks to our sponsors:
If you would have told me a year ago that I would be recording my 100th episode I would have been so skeptical! Big thanks to all of you who have been listening along in this journey.
What better way to celebrate the occasion than with a huge interview and big announcement!
The announcement: registration for The Big Balloon Build in my town, (Lake Geneva, WI) is NOW OPEN! If you're interested in joining us, pause this episode and apply using the link below immediately, as we do expect to sell out in the first day.
The interview: in this episode I'm talking with the original balloon artist himself, Treb Heining!
What this man has experienced in his career will blow your mind. The stories he shares are not just inspiring and fascinating, but heart-warming, too.
I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have some time with Treb to learn about how our entire industry got started. I just know you'll be amazed with the way balloon decor came to be, thanks to Treb and some of his strongest supporters.
TIMESTAMPS:
04:22 - Treb's journey to balloon decor
12:01 - Super Bowls, Olympics, political conventions & world record balloons
19:04 - product development & Disney
32:07 - balloon drops & New Year's Eve confetti
56:23 - what's next for & encouragement from Treb
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Big Balloon Build registration
125K balloons prep for RNC finale
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It's one thing to reflect back on a single year in business, but wait until you hear some of the insights of Larry's DECADES of work in the balloon industry!
We talk about sales, budgeting and why business becomes so personal. But we also hear about his adaptability during terribly hard times like 9/11 and the pandemic.
I had such an incredible time interviewing Larry and am so thankful for everything he has done for our industry. Don't miss out on hearing from this legend!
TIMESTAMPS:
4:10 - how Larry started a business at 13
8:58 - getting kids involved in business
12:40 - Valentine's Day sales tip
15:58 - why balloons were the best bet for his event business
19:20 - their adaptability during the pandemic, 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy
28:28 - budgeting lessons
33:20 - why business is personal
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Havin' A Party Wholesale | @havin_a_party
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Thanks to so many of you for following along during my Instagram reels experiment this past month!
After posting a reel every day for the past 30 days, I've been through so many emotions and I'm still a little unsure how I feel about them. But in the end I do think I've found a way to incorporate reels into my balloon business in a way that actually makes good business sense.
Listen in to hear about my cringy moments, tough moments, funny moments and realizations about posting Instagram reels every day for a month.
TIMESTAMPS:
03:19 - why I decided to try reels every day
09:54 - some ideas I picked up along the way
14:07 - what I didn't like about it
23:06 - how this experiment turned around - a little
26:36 - my biggest lesson learned & some tips
35:43 - we're on the same page!
39:41 - exciting stuff coming up
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
There are so many points in your business where it feels like you need to wait for permission to take the next step... to buy the van... to move out of your home location, etc.
But sometimes you just need to go for it! In this episode, Melody and I talk about the ways that just going for it and figuring things out along the way have helped us grow our businesses in ways we couldn't really have predicted.
We talk about fear, being honest with yourself, unexpected hurdles and so much more.
She also shares the details of her education platform, Foxx Creative Share.
Listen in for some inspiration on taking a courageous step forward in your business!
TIMESTAMPS:
04:08 - about Melody's balloon business
09:29 - there are so many right ways to do things
19:46 - about the Foxx Creative Share platform
30:14 - making adjustments as you go
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
In this episode I'm looking back on my attempt at the "red x month", and let me tell you... because I wasn't as busy, it gave me some time to really sit down and analyze how I felt about my business and what I wanted it to be.
Then I also suddenly realized that instead of a "red x month", I was actually implementing an approach I read about years ago, from one of my favorite authors. It didn't apply to my business at the time, but now I'm so excited to dive into "The Pumpkin Plan" next.
Listen in hear about how this experiment went and how you can join me in the next one!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:55 - How it went and what I learned
09:19 - What it did to my money mindset
16:51 - What I'd change if I did it again
19:37 - An interesting thing that started happening
24:20 - What I realized I was actually doing instead
33:43 - Coupon for your feedback!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Ep. 51 - Set it up September | Profit First
Ep 80 - Profit First revisited with Elizabeth Fiore
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We've all seen it all over Instagram. The creation of custom colors by double-stuffing balloons. But is it the right move for your business?
In this episode, Joette of ballooncoach.com and I discuss the ways that this can actually hurt your business. Is it eating your profit? What happens when a layer pops?
Listen in to hear about some things you should consider before double-stuffing, and some ways to move away from it.
And let us know what you think by commenting on Instagram!
TIMESTAMPS:
07:33 - misconceptions about double-stuffing
14:09 - ways to test your designs
19:09 - ways to shift the conversation away from custom colors
30:53 - where to get more balloon business advice & community
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Inventory System with Custom Color Chart
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This is one of the most unique interviews we've had yet, because Kelly will be sharing with us how she's prepared to run two balloon businesses in two different states!
I really appreciate her transparency about this process and the value she places on the quality of life as a business owner.
We talk about adding staff, adding income streams, dealing with customers on their biggest days, business relationships and more.
I'm also excited that we've already got a follow-up interview scheduled after her move because I cannot wait to hear how it goes for her.
She's graciously offered to help anyone with questions about staffing, etc. if you want to connect with her on Instagram below.
TIMESTAMPS:
5:08 - her balloon business background
8:47 - the growth of her team and business
12:55 - how Poppin' Cleveland will run when she moves to Texas
15:30 - her approach to business competition
21:20 - how she prepared her staff for her move
28:15 - the ranges of customer service experiences
35:18 - getting ahead of the fear of growth
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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This episode is back to the list-style format, where I'll walk you through 10 things you should double-check are listed and available on your website.
Some are more of a nice bonus than others, but are super easy to implement.
I really hope you find this list helpful and that any updates you make will mean more leads, smoother processes and more sales for your business!
And if you discover something you're missing, we've got quite a few episodes and tools listed here in the show notes that can get you started!
TIMESTAMPS:
01:52 - your location (check Instagram, too!)
02:58 - about page
04:41 - a way to collect the info you need from them
06:47 - your booking process
08:14 - Instagram feed
09:25 - localized SEO
11:22 - pricing menus that expedite sales
13:33 - searchable file names for images
16:19 - suggested venues and vendors
19:10 - pop-up
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Laser Focused Sales with Pricing Guides
Ep. 67 - Coming up in local search | Jeff from Asset Lab
Ep. 83 - All about Grab & Go Garlands
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It is so, so easy to fall into the trap of over serving by providing more balloons than your customer actually paid for. But the thing is, I think it's risky!
In this episode, I'll share with you 5 reasons why I think it's risky, plus 5 things you can do instead to over serve... and they won't take tons of money out of your pocket.
I'd love to hear if you're doing any of them already, or which ones you're going to start implementing first!
TIMESTAMPS:
03:25 - 5 reasons over serving with product is risky
10:04 - clear communication
13:11 - be present
19:42 - help out in a pinch
22:55 - celebrate your customers and share big events
27:04 - send a thank you
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Fool Proof Formula for Gorgeous Garlands
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I really wasn't sure what to expect for my first experience of a Big Balloon Build, and wow, I'll admit... working on such a massive crew was pretty challenging at times since I am so used to working on my own!
But Bee was sure to keep the end goal in mind throughout the build, which helped her bring a calm presence that was much needed.
In this interview Bee and I chat about what it's like to be involved in such a massive project, and the incredible benefits of participating.
Plus, there's an exciting announcement at the end, too!
TIMESTAMPS:
07:06 - Bee's balloon business background
12:03 - what The Big Balloon Build is (pics)
15:40 - her Big Balloon Build experience abroad
20:18 - getting in the right headspace for working with a large crew
27:47 - how to get involved
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Ep. 38 - The Big Balloon Build | Stuart Davies & Liz Romani
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It's officially been a full year since I've made two huge changes in my business: having a shop and buying a van!
In this episode, I'm running through all of the ways these decisions have impacted my business... including the domino affects.
Plus, I'll let you know which one I'd recommend you go for first if you can!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:46 - the pros and cons of having a shop
07:58 - a domino affect of having the shop
10:24 - the huge difference my van has made in my business
14:41 - domino affects of having the van
16:48 - how I decided to make these changes in the first place
18:59 - two changes I didn't make
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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In this week's episode, I'm catching up with Joe from Havin' a Party and we are talking about business growth and what some artists are doing as they outgrow their home-based businesses.
Joe will even help you hand pick your inventory so your brand and style are represented in your own Balloon Bar.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Email marketing for my balloon business is always the thing that falls by the wayside... can you relate?
After feeling the relief of handing off email marketing for the podcast (then watching it grow in the way it has) I quickly knew I needed to find a similar solution for my balloon business.
And thanks to the help of some familiar podcast guests... we've made it happen!
In this week's episode, Jeff, Nicole and I talk about some important tips for effective email marketing, and how we've rolled those tips into our brand new collaboration: The Creative Current.
I'll be a subscriber, too, and can't wait to see what it does for my balloon business!
>> see an example of what we'll be sending!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:37 - why email marketing is important
06:02 - 3 rules to follow for effective email marketing
16:04 - what The Creative Current is
20:40 - you're a good fit for this if...
22:20 - how it works for you as a business owner
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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It was such a complete privilege to interview Amanda Rae, COO of 17hats, for this episode! We talk about all things owning a business... customer service, mindset, mental clutter and growth. She also solves a current problem of mine in real time!
I always say, 17hats is my employee of the month, every month and this episode will let you in on why that's the case.
Even if you don't use the platform I know you'll hear some nuggets that will help you clarify your processes and improve your relationships with your customers.
Thanks so much to Amanda Rae for taking the time to be on the podcast!
TIMESTAMPS:
03:22 - the 17hats development story
11:52 - where to start with a CRM
18:27 - mental clutter, focusing on your passion & going for it
23:21 - figuring out your processes & how they change over time
34:44 - underutilized features
44:55 - investing in your clients
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
I've been hearing about the idea of "red x month" for a while now and have been wondering how and when I would be able to try it. Then when I noticed my July calendar was somewhat setting me up for the experiment, I knew I had to go for it!
In this episode, I'll walk you through:
- what it is
- how I'm implementing it
- why I feel compelled to try it
- what steps you can take to make one of your own happen
- the challenges involved
- what I'm looking forward to by trying it
Follow along on Instagram as I give some updates on how it's going! And tell me... do you think you'll go for it?!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:21 - my initial reaction to the idea
06:16 - the rules I've set for myself in this experiment
09:20 - how much is enough?
14:49 - what steps you can take to implement your own "red x" time
20:57 - what I'm excited about with this experiment
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
Alissa of Twee Partees actually runs her shop out of my hometown, so this episode was extra fun to record! We talk about her new pop-up retail space and all the plans she has for it... inventory, shop aesthetic and more.
But even if you run your business out of your home, listen in for some fun business-building ideas that come up in our conversation. I think we'd both love to hear if you go for any of them!
Follow Alissa's pop-up shop journey this summer by connecting with her on Instagram below.
TIMESTAMPS:
05:19 - how Lissa got her free retail spot
09:00 - the hours, staffing & inventory for her shop
15:12 - what benchmarks she's using to decide if she should stay
17:26 - her recommendations for making the best of your work space
28:55 - the pop-up shop trend
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
@tweepartees @twee_a_balloon_boutique
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It was so fun to chat with another super lean balloon business owner. Kelsey has so much to share about how she left corporate for balloons, how she provides customer service, her booking process, and yes, we even talk about her infamous TikTok moment in this episode!
She's always sharing such helpful tips on Instagram and this conversation was no different.
TIMESTAMPS:
06:20 - what Kelsey's employee helps with
10:35 - making pricing & time decisions
13:56 - her abundance mindset
21:46 - pumpkin clients
27:12 - booking process
33:59 - her TikTok moment
41:19 - what's next
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
That Balloon Girl on Instagram
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The LASER Focused Solopreneur
I started offering Grab & Go Garlands after the initial interview with Ali of Charming Garlands (episode 48), and what a difference it has made to my business! I'm now able to help more customers and make more sales when I would have otherwise been booked out and unavailable.
Because they work so well, Ali and I have collaborated on a course, linked in the show notes, that will set you up to quickly succeed with Grab & Go's, too. It'll cover:
- the difference between making a Grab & Go Garland and an installation garland
- direction cards for your customers
- list of hanging kit supplies
- photo & language for your website
- email template to suggest a Grab & Go
- tips for promoting
In celebration of this super exciting collaboration, we're re-releasing the original interview so that you can hear more of Ali's genius around the Grab & Go process.
Enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
1:34 - my results since the original interview
3:05 - all about our course collaboration
6:10 - the original interview
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
Support the show / Join the book club
The LASER Focused Solopreneur
One of my pet peeves as a consumer is a lack of communication by service providers... don't be that service provider!
Even without a CRM, there are ways to save email or message templates that will help you move your decor requests along smoothly, while still being friendly and personal.
In this episode, I share five of my top-recommended templates... two of which often turn into sales!
Take a listen and if you're in need of help in this area, check out the download in the show notes.
TIMESTAMPS:
03:26 - packed up auto-responder
05:47 - letting them know you're available
08:12 - letting them know you're not available
10:05 - suggest a Grab & Go instead
11:35 - the breakup template
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Customer Booking Workflow and Templates____________________________
When I started my balloon business six years ago, I had the hardest time figuring out how much things cost and what I should charge.
Eventually I discovered how much easier the whole pricing, quoting and invoicing process would become if I just put my prices out there for everyone to see.
In this episode, I'll share with you the six key reasons why I'm a huge fan of having your prices displayed on your website.
And I'm encouraging you to do the same! Tag me on Instagram @thebrightballoon when you've published your prices... and don't forget - charge what you're worth!
TIMESTAMPS:
03:01 - creates a filter
04:31 - saves time
05:55 - sets industry standard
07:42 - it's fair
09:44 - keeps them accessible
11:55 - makes increases easier
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Garland Pricing Guide Template
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In this episode, I'm talking with my bookkeeper, Elizabeth from Fiore Tax Services. She and her husband Joe are now Profit First Professionals so we are revisiting one of my favorite books, Profit First.
If you haven't listened to episode 51 where I introduce Profit First, make sure to do that first!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
If you've been listening for a while, you know that I have a lot of thoughts about using Instagram for business. I love some aspects of it, but I recognize how draining it can become if you let it.
In this episode, I'll share with you how I honestly kind of stumbled upon a new strategy that has helped me book more repeat jobs - despite all of the turnover within the events industry.
Listen in and see how easy it actually is!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:16 - why I needed a new strategy
05:57 - how I reach out to venues and corporate clients
08:33 - why this should be considered a backup plan
09:12 - some encouragement
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
I don't necessarily have a strong all-or-nothing approach to charity work, but I do have some strategies in place to help me stay aligned with both my values and my business goals.
In this episode, I'll share five ideas for how to work with charities, non-profits, schools, etc. when they ask for free decor. I'll let you know which one is my clear favorite, but no matter which one you try I strongly suggest you set up an email template that is ready to go when you get the requests.
That way, it should be easier to remove the emotion from the request and it'll help you stay within your own boundaries while still sounding professional and gracious.
What approach do you think you'll take?
TIMESTAMPS:
04:49 - commit to one charity annually
08:03 - trade for sponsorships
09:54 - donate your labor and time only
11:39 - have a standard donation item
16:36 - donate a percentage of their purchase
20:01 - things to avoid
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
____________________________
Sometimes you're truly not available. Sometimes you just don't want to work with that client or color scheme. And sometimes you fear you're on the brink of burnout.
There are quite a few reasons why we might need to turn down a job, but saying no is often easier said than done.
In this episode I'll share with you some of the strategies and messaging I've put in place to confidently and gracefully say no when needed.
I really hope it will allow you to do the same!
TIMESTAMPS:
04:20 - My favorite new way to make decisions
07:00 - "not available" message
08:21 - offer something else
10:13 - staying within your limits
13:22 - a one word change in my "available" email
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Whether you're a 17hats user, you use another CRM or you simply want to learn more about what to look for in your first CRM, listen in to this episode jam-packed with automation and customization tips.
Nicole is the one who helped me refresh my 17hats account and she joins us again to share 7 of her favorite features of the platform.
After this chat, I've already gone back into my account and made some exciting updates. Take a listen, pick one to take action on and let us know what you chose!
TIMESTAMPS:
05:00 - building a quote
06:55 - workflows from choices
08:56 - multiple calendars
11:56 - custom fields
15:17 - to-do's
18:50 - Zapier connection
21:59 - project tags
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
17hats CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Tool
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Make Time, by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, is FULL of amazing quick tips (82 of them!) that you can use and try to work towards more efficient and fulfilling days.
In this episode, I'll let you know some of the things from the book that stood out to me, as well as which strategies I'm going to start using in my business and life.
I like to think of Make Time like a recipe book - I loved how I was able to skip around to different sections without missing anything, yet I came away with so many great, practical ideas.
I'd really love for you to grab a copy and let me know which strategies feel right for you in your business!
Last thing - if you're in the Patreon, I'm thinking about trying something and I explain it more at the end of the episode... I'd love your feedback!
TIMESTAMPS:
5:00 - framing your day
6:40 - their take on LASER
8:35 - the "infinity pool"
11:00 - maintaining your energy
13:00 - which strategies I'll be implementing
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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Haley’s adventure with balloons started when she added the service into her non-profit event planning, and as word spread about her skills, friends and family started reaching out for balloon requests.
Before she knew it, (and with a ton of confidence and savvy decisions) she became THE place in Spokane to provide balloons. Now, not only are her and her husband both self-employed, they’ve also gone on to employ several people as well.
Through the process, she’s learned how to navigate the health insurance world on her own. From COBRA to HSAs to health care consultants, Haley shares some great advice on where to look when you don’t have a full-time job supplying them to you.
We also talk about retirement planning, finances, branding and how to make some hard decisions. No matter where you’re at with your business or what your plans might be for growth, I know you’ll find some advice from this episode.
TIMESTAMPS:
5:06 – Haley’s entry point into balloons
10:15 – when she brought in her employees
14:30 – what it’s actually like to be self-employed
18:00 – how she approached purchasing health insurance
20:30 – thinking about retirement
25:00 – how she pays herself from her business
31:30 - knowing your brand
37:33 - advice for those afraid to move forward
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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People commonly ask me how I find the time to run my balloon business by myself, alongside my full-time job. And while I used to just take it as a compliment and go on with my day, I began to realize that those comments and questions were rooted in burnout.
So I decided I wanted to share everything I know about running a business efficiently. The Laser Focused Solopreneur is a video course that will walk you through several topics in each of the main ideas below:
L - limit
A - automate
S - standardize
E - eliminate
R - refine
Consider this course a filter that you can run your decisions through to make sure that they are working for you, your business and your life.
I sincerely hope that it will help you eliminate burnout and regain the excitement and freedom that you deserve!
TIMESTAMPS:
06:17 - what the course is & the three main sections
07:50 - how the course name came about
09:06 - preview of the "Limit" idea
14:04 - the investment
17:25 - why this course is a GPS for your business
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Leave a review on the podcast wherever you're listening to enter the drawing for a balloon decor bag & apron from Lilly of The Creative Heart Studio! Drawing is March 4th ('22).
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I think we're all guilty of the comparison trap at times - I know I certainly am. "Look how well they're doing already when I've been doing this for years"... "There's no way I could ever make as many sales as them"... "Why is it so easy for them and not me?"...we've ALL been there! So in this episode, I'll talk about six different areas of business where we tend to compare ourselves, and then help you think through some things that you might be missing when all you see are the Instagram highlights. I really hope that this episode will help you shift your focus to the things that you want to accomplish in your business that will make you feel proud.
TIMESTAMPS:
06:52 - finances: sales and debt
09:52 - staffing
11:13 - the long-term plan of a business
12:20 - what's happening behind the scenes
13:52 - booked up and busy
17:08 - how businesses get started
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Leave a review on the podcast wherever you're listening to enter the drawing for a balloon decor bag & apron from Lilly of The Creative Heart Studio! Drawing is March 4th ('22).
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This episode is unlike many episodes we've had before in that it is an honest conversation about the challenges we face as business owners. The pivots, the decisions, the long hours and the struggle... Amy and I talk about it all.
I really appreciate her candid comments about everything she's gone through in her business. From running a huge retail location, having employees on payroll, hitting multiple six-figures in sales to dialing back on hours, employees and availability.
If you find yourself struggling with what direction you want to take in your business, hearing about Amy's path might very well give you some clarity (maybe even courage) on where to go next.
TIMESTAMPS:
4:30 - How Amy got started with balloons in 2009
8:05 - How payroll costs affected her business, and the shift she made as a result
13:05 - Her long-term plan
19:30 - Brainstorming a possible transition out of the former retail shop
25:10 - Recommended resources for self-reflection
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Amy's YouTube Diary: My Balloon Shop Life
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Support the show
You've probably heard me talk about automation before, and what a huge difference it's made in my business. Well, I like to think of batching as the root of automation. So in this episode, I'm covering 3 areas where I batch tasks in my balloon business, Wisconsin Balloon Decor. From content, to inventory, to client communication... I'm sharing with you exactly how and when I batch each aspect. I'll also share whose systems I've adapted and tell you about the decisions and limitations I've implemented along the way to get to this place. I hope you'll grab one tip from this episode and take a look at your own business to see if you can make any small improvements! (I'm also so excited that my course, The Laser-Focused Solopreneur, is coming together, and inside, I'll be demonstrating these exact processes... stay tuned!)
TIMESTAMPS:
03:06 - batching your content (social media, newsletters, etc.)
11:13 - batching your ordering & inventory
17:54 - batching your client communication
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Later.com, Canva.com
Episode 34: The Creative Heart Studio with Lilly Jimenez
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Support the show
This book by Denise Duffield-Thomas really connected with me. In fact, I love everything she puts out.
Not only do I love the business mindset she encourages, but the book has tons of practical tips (like what to say in awkward pricing conversations, for example). She also does such a good job of connecting your home life with your business life, which I find so unique, and so valuable as a solopreneur.
In this episode, I'll describe some of my key takeaways, including how I'm implementing her "Keyless Life" approach, money decisions (both professional and personal), how to keep forward focus and how (and why) to believe in yourself as a business owner.
I believe this book has something in it for everybody, and I can't recommend it enough. Listen in to hear how it might help you!
TIMESTAMPS:
01:55 - why I abandoned my January read & who it is for instead
06:08 - how moving on from my January read helped me set my direction for my balloon business and The Bright Balloon Podcast
10:30 - "The Keyless Life"
15:13 - the money chapter
17:20 - the marketing chapter
24:17 - the sentimental chapter
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Chillpreneur, by Denise Duffield-Thomas
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Let's talk about something everyone has... a birthday! And in our industry, we appeal to practically everybody. We aren't limited by the age of our customers like some other niches are (flowers and coffee, for example).
So let's talk about four ways you can run birthday balloon promotions in your business (plus one way you shouldn't), all while staying profitable and not losing your mind trying to keep up with hundreds of customers' birthdays.
TIMESTAMPS:
02:13 - what NOT to do for your birthday balloon promotion
02:52 - make it about your birthday
04:20 - fill your calendar with a short-term sale
06:11 - limit your birthday delivery products
08:52 - run a giveaway while expanding your reach & staying in control of the cost
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
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I first met Jeff at Balloon Boss Summit, where he was one of my favorite instructors because he simply knows... his... stuff! In this episode, he dishes out tons of online marketing tips... from local SEO, to website formatting, to making it easier for your customers to contact you. I took a ton more notes from our chat while editing the episode!
And he knows the balloon decor community, too. He's been working with businesses in our niche from all over the world for about five years.
Listen in, and I'm confident you will find at least one idea for a goal or area to improve on in your business.
TIMESTAMPS:
05:16 - About Jeff's business, Asset Lab
07:35 - What local search SEO is
13:02 - Three things you should do for your business ASAP
15:13 - Jeff's recommended number of Google Reviews before focusing elsewhere
25:13 - How you can get a report on your local competition
27:53 - Examples of good and bad ideas for your website
35:10 - Why to consider working with marketing experts
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Asset Lab & a Free Search Grid Report
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Today I'm talking about lead sources with my Digital Strategist, Nicole. She's giving us tips for not only how but why to track our lead sources (where our customers hear about our businesses).
It's a super straight-forward episode with action steps you can take today with the help of her free download.
TIMESTAMPS:
02:37 - how to set up your lead source collection method
05:04 - some basic options for lead source collection
05:30 - another automation tool we're a fan of
08:27 - what we can do with this data
11:03 - my opinion of your most important lead source
17:05 - recap
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
RELATED EPISODE:
9. You Are Five Minutes Away from Total Marketing Clarity
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This episode is going to give you little tips to keep your goals at the front of your mind for the entire year - without using any brain power at all! Plus, I share an absolutely crazy story about a New Year's Eve balloon drop that only my fellow balloon people will truly understand.
TIMESTAMPS:
02:53 - My panic-inducing New Year's Eve balloon drop experience
08:23 - Wallet windows
10:55 - Screen savers
14:00 - Passwords & pin codes
16:46 - A different way to think about resolutions and goal-setting
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The Bright Balloon Business Planner
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This final episode of the year will actually walk you through the year end review process laid out in The Bright Balloon Business Planner... from how your business made you feel, to the numbers inside of your business, to how to use this information for next year.
I really believe that tracking your business stats is like the first step in achieving your business goals, because if you know your numbers, then you can make a plan to grow!
TIMESTAMPS:
01:32 - Consider how your business made you feel
02:38 - Finances
05:44 - Business stats
09:27 - My hope for how this process and the planner will help you
10:19 - Next steps for The Bright Balloon Podcast
13:12 - 12 Days of Christmas: top 12 most downloaded episodes from the podcast
TOP 12 EPISODES:
1. Does your Instagram bio have these three things?
2. Three FREE upgrades you can make in your business today!
39. How I Price My Organic Garland
37. Pricing, competition and networking | Tiffany from Confetti Castle
3. Get control of your client communication!
5. Investing In Education | An Interview with Balloon Coach, Joette Giardina
4. Put Your Business on the Map
47. Vendor Showcases with Ali from Charming Garlands
50. The Great Balloon Shortage! | Joe from Havin' A Party Wholesale
61. Getting Organized with Lilly, The Creative Heart Studio
6. Expanding Your Network With Styled Shoots
I came away from the Balloon Boss Summit so motivated about 2022, but didn't feel like I had a great way to track my goals and plans for the year. A lot of other planners I found were way too intense for what I was looking for, yet I knew I needed to get my goals in writing to keep me focused.
So I went for it and made my own planner that will help me not only set great goals, but figure out a plan for getting there, and provide me with some evidence as to why I did or did not meet the goals when next December rolls around.
I really hope The Bright Balloon Business Planner can help you set up a clear path to your 2022 goals, too!
WHAT'S INSIDE / TIMESTAMPS:
05:20 - Goal tracking & how to set goals in a way that makes them accomplishable
08:18 - Tracking your business stats
11:32 - Business growth ideas
13:01 - Calendar & Expense Audit
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The Bright Balloon Business Planner (print on demand and digital versions)
RELATED EPISODES:
53. Set It Up September | Calendar Audit
Back by popular demand, here's another laser-focused episode full of action steps you can take in your business today that will lift so much mental energy off your plate.
Overview:
02:25 Instagram saved responses
03:43 Canva content scheduler
05:47 Auto savings at your bank
09:15 Annual calendar reminders
10:36 Subscribe to your favorite podcasts
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Today we are talking about organization with the Queen herself, Lilly from the Creative Heart Studio. She explains her top tips to organizing your balloon studio and an exciting new product announcement!
Follow Lilly Here: https://thecreativeheartstudio.com/
See photos of Lilly's workroom here: https://thecreativeheartstudio.com/blogs/projects/work-room-reveal
*Apologies for the audio quality in this episode. Improvements coming soon and the interview is worth the listen!
In this episode, I talk with Erin of the Young and Wild Balloon Co. about how a custom color chart can help your balloon business run more smoothly.
We each use ours differently, too! Listen in to hear how we use them and how it has reduced stress in each of our businesses.
We also end up talking a bit about making our first hires and making friends in the business.
Big thanks to Erin for sharing your experience and this super helpful resource!
TIMESTAMPS:
02:47 How the color chart came to be
04:23 How to use our new color chart resource & what's included
06:15 How Erin uses her color chart and how it makes her life easier
07:48 How I use my color chart
11:56 Another thing Erin inspired me to do
14:55 An Instagram tip we got from another business balloon owner, Mallory
16:41 How and why you should connect with other balloon business owners
24:29 How my color chart helps my inventory process
25:01 A preview of what next week's episode is about
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Custom Color Chart | Multi-Brand
RELATED EPISODES:
41. Making your first hire | Erin from young and Wild Balloon Co.
59. Three ways you can stand out | Streamlining your customer experience
In this episode I chat with Nicole, my first hire, about what kinds of things you can do to improve your customer experience... that don't require more balloon skills.
And bonus - many of these suggestions free up your mental space, too!
Listen in to hear our suggestions and what resources we have for you that can meet you wherever you're at in your business.
TIMESTAMPS:
01:12 How Nicole and I met and started working together
02:36 The first thing you can focus on
04:06 Some frustrating buying experiences we hope you never impose on your customers
06:00 How to keep each job moving along smoothly
08:07 Our streamlining resources
13:45 What you can look forward to by setting up new systems
16:34 Cool tools & features within the 17hats CRM
RESOURCES
Customer booking working & templates from The Bright Balloon
17hats service packages from Let Nicole Help
Based on the questions that I get most, this episode is a rapid fire listing of all the things I use to run my business, from website, to invoicing, to social media and even inventory.
I also offer up:
- my favorite analogy for understanding how all the tech pieces work together
- some food for thought on why you should consider implementing similar systems as your business grows
- a hint at some additional resources I have planned for you!
Hopefully this episode will help you fill in any gaps that might be in your balloon business! I also have a Cliff's Notes version of this episode available for download.
If you find this podcast helpful, I'd be honored if you considered becoming a Patreon.
And as always, thanks to our show sponsor, Balloon Coach, and the Balloon Boss Mastermind.
Timestamps:
02:35 Google products (Google Workspace)
03:09 Website (Wix - learn how to publish your website in a weekend)
03:36 Contact form & my 17hats CRM (customer relationship management system)
04:30 Payment processing (Square) & bookkeeping (Quickbooks Online)
07:20 Social media
09:30 Inventory
11:27 Training
12:15 Inflaters
15:26 Graphics (Canva.com)
Related episodes:
12. Automation Series | Get your photos under control
27. Booking Process Workarounds
54. Set It Up September | CRM and 17hats
15. Money Matters | Tips to get your numbers sorted this year
10. Automation Series | Social Media Planning with Later.com
33. My love affair with Canva | Have you heard about these new features?
The Bright Balloon is one year old!!! Today I'm recapping all of the ways my business has changed this past year thanks to the great guests on this podcast!
Support the podcast on Patreon!
Email me to get on our 17hats list: thebrightballoon@gmail.com
Episode Mentions:
Episode about hiring with Erin about hiring
I asked my friends in Balloon Boss Mastermind what is one creative thing you keep in your toolkit...and their answers did not disappoint. I've literally purchased three of these items since recording this episode. Enjoy!
Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in Balloon Boss Mastermind
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
This week I'm talking about what happened to my business when Facebook and Instagram were down all day...nothing. That's because I don't run my business ON those platforms, I use them to promote my business. Today I'm talking about the difference.
Let me help you build a website with The Weekend Launch.
This is only available until January 1st then I'm retiring the course forever!
Get in touch: thebrightballoon@gmail.com
This one is painful. I'm not going to lie- a CRM is a lot of work to set up, but you need one. If you want to streamline, this is the ultimate must have. I'm giving an overview of what my 17 hats does for me and I'm talking about first steps toward integrating a CRM into your business.
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
This week I'm talking about a calendar audit and how it can help you outline your entire year before it even starts! Keeping repeat business is so much more profitable than constantly marketing to new customers.
Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
This week I'm talking about my lack of a cancellation policy and why I got very lucky during a string of cancellations this month! I'm encouraging you, and me, to rethink and plan our crystal clear cancellation policies going into 2022!
Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Use the last quarter to set up all of your goals so you can hit the ground running at the start of the year! In this episode, I'm outlining "Profit First" and how it helped me figure out my cashflow.
Read the book now, set up your accounts, and implement at the new year!
Thanks to our show sponsor: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit
My Courses:
Joe is on the show! We are learning what is happening with the balloon shortage from a wholesale distributor! If you don't know Joe, you should!
Check out their website here: https://havinaparty.com/
Check out their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/havin_a_party/?hl=en
Thanks to our show sponsor: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit
My Courses:
Joette is on the podcast! She and I are talking about setting yourself up for success, avoiding burnout, setting your limits as a business owner and how to manage the balloon shortage! It's a great episode filled with motivation and ideas!
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business and check out the Balloon Coach Tour Here!
Join us for part two with Ali is from Charming Garlands she's talking about her Grab and Go Garland model and it's awesome!
Check out Charming Garlands here: https://www.charminggarlands.com/
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business!
My Courses:
Buckle up because this is a good one! Ali from Charming Garlands is sharing some fresh ideas about showcasing your work at a vendor fair, showcase or networking event. From printing materials to incentivizing clients, she covers it all!
Check out Charming Garlands here: https://www.charminggarlands.com/
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business!
My Courses:
I took my first baby step into the world of hiring and I'm talking about it in todays episode!
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business!
My Courses:
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business and check out the Balloon Coach Tour Here!
My Courses:
A few months back I got some new personal branding photos of myself. Cringey, I know, but they have been such a nice update to my website and social media! I'm sharing how I hired a photographer for a low rate AND made some new business connections through the process.
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business and check out the Balloon Coach Tour Here!
My Courses:
Looking to start or grow a new income stream in balloons? Or just looking to do those cool elf balloons you see at Christmas, Marlene is your lady! She's an expert in stuffed balloons (among other things)! Check out her website below for class and ordering info.
Show Links:
https://stuffedballoonsfromatoz.com/
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business!
My Courses:
When I get busy, I get lazy! I take shortcuts, make sloppy mistakes, and stop thinking about the future! Today I'm giving a few reminders and tips of things we need to be doing even though we are busy beyond belief!
Show Links:
Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit to level up your business!
My Courses:
This episode is all about how to hire that first employee! Erin from Young and Wild Balloon Co. is breaking down the steps that got her to this point, how she is collecting applications and interviewing, and how she plans to onboard her very first assistant!
Need a Business Coach like Erin and I?
Join me in Balloon Boss Mastermind to level up your business!
My Courses:
I’m back and I bought a delivery van! In this episode I’m talking about what model I chose, how much I paid, and how it’s changed my business for the better!
Episode Links:
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!
Join me in Balloon Boss Mastermind to level up your business!
Today I'm talking about how I price my organic garland and visually communicate that to my clients!
Episode Links:
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!
Join me in Balloon Boss Mastermind to level up your business!
Another awesome interview on this episode! Learn about The Big Balloon Build, what it is, how it started, and how to get involved! Bonus: Some amazing networking and relationship building tips from Liz Romani!
Register for The Big Balloon Build notification email list here!
Stuart, Liz and I will ALL be at the Balloon Boss Summit in November. You can still register! Check out BalloonCoach.com here!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
I'm talking with Tiffany in this awesome interview episode! She's taken the balloon world by storm and is offering up so much great advice about growing fast, forming a local network and creating loyal followers.
Check out BalloonCoach.com here!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
I'm talking all about balloon conventions, or in this case, FLOAT! You can still register to attend!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
I'm talking all about balloon conventions, or in this case, Balloon Boss Summit! You can still register to attend!
Check out BalloonCoach.com here!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Ahhhhh! Lilly is on the show! The creator of the Balloon Mosaic is talking about her business, social media, competition and a bunch more! Lilly is a balloon business boss and I am so appreciative that she took the time to share with all of us.
Episode Links:
Podcast Sponsor:
Check out BalloonCoach.com here!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
If you're not using Canva, you're missing out. I know, you're thinking duh, Canva is old news and we all use it. Wrong. I'm talking about the new features on Canva. The amazing cloud based design software now offers printing, social media scheduling and more. Its crazy powerful and you need to check it out!
Check out BalloonCoach.com here!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Today I am talking with Tinesha about how launching her Adopt a Grandparent campaign and joining Balloon Boss Mastermind brought in more sales last month than she did in all of last year!
Check out BalloonCoach.com here!
Listen to my first episode about Adopt A Grandparent here
check out Tinesha on Instagram @mbellishballoons_bg
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
In this episode I'm sharing how my Instagram strategy has changed and why I'm happily waving goodbye :) I have 27K followers and it's terrible! I know, poor Sara with all of her followers. Trust me, I am not the goal. Learn from my mistakes and grow a small but might Instagram following.
Check out BalloonCoach.com here!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Today I'm sharing a book recommendation and a simple hack that has helped me keep a clean inbox for the past six months!
Book Recommendation: Make Time
Episode Sponsor Balloon Boss Mastermind
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Well, I got a one star review. It sucked and I'm telling you all about it and how I responded in this episode.
Join me in the Balloon Boss Mastermind
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
In this episode I'm answering your questions!
How did I start balloons and when did I go full time? What vinyl cutter is recommended? How do I make my bases, how do I hang garlands and how do I price my work!
Join me in the Balloon Boss Mastermind
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
This week we are talking about website workarounds that have basically supercharged my workflow.
If you don't have a website, today is the day: The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Check out the website Liz made for Valley Party Supply in 3 days!
I also recommend BalloonSuite if you need more help
Join me in the Balloon Boss Mastermind
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
Today I'm talking with Megan from North Shore Balloon Decor in Chicago, IL. Megan transitioned quickly into yard decor during the pandemic and is still creating outdoor installations as temperatures in the midwest continue to drop! So I thought she was the perfect person to give us all some tips.
Show Links:
Bright Balloon Resources:
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
You know what's frustrating? When clients have to work hard to find your business! And you know what usually happens? They don't want to work that hard. So I'm sharing a few places you might be leaving your potential clients searching for info.
Join me in the Balloon Boss Mastermind
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
In this episode we are talking about the Adopt A Grandparent campaign you might see popping up on Facebook and Instagram! What is it? Where did it come from? Can you get involved? Yes. Yes you can. At the time of recording I've been selling Adopt A Grandparent deliveries for about a week and I've sold 150!!! That's crazy and we are going to spread so much joy!!
Join me in the Balloon Boss Mastermind
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
In this episode I'm talking about what I learned and plan to do with my calendar audit! Are you missing out on events and money like I was? Let's change that!
Join me in the Balloon Boss Mastermind
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
More on Goal Setting from Balloon Coach
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
These are a few of my favorite things...I mean apps. I don't do a ton of photo correction but when I do, these are the apps I use!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
As the year comes to an end I'm doing one final push in the form of a flash sale! Don't give up if your end-of-the-year sales are falling flat. There is still time to sell pop drops in your local market!
Profitable Poppers Course JUST RELEASED! $12
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
This episode I'm challenging you to be the face of your company and explaining why small businesses have a huge edge!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
Looking for FREE balloon education opportunities? I've got you covered in this episode full of resources!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Today I'm talking about Friendors and the value they can bring to your balloon business. I'm also sharing a few concrete ways to start forming these relationships.
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
We are talking about money (again). But this time, a few tips for setting up your prices for long term success! What happens if you grow, or if helium prices spike, or if you have to repair your delivery vehicle? Are you set up to absorb those costs with your current prices?
Episode Sponsor: Ballooncoach.com
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
In this episode I'm talking Quickbooks, profit and overhead (oh my!) I'm also taking on a new system this January if anyone wants to join me in reading Profit First this December. Reach out on Instagram @thebrightballoon if you want to join our virtual book group!
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
In this episode I'm talking about 17hats and how this investment has saved me hours of time and thousands of dollars compared to paying an assistant. I love this CRM and it organizes absolutely everything I do in my business.
Episode Sponsor: BalloonCoach.com
Balloon Boss Summit- Register for 2021 here
Episode Mentions:
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My Courses: TheBrightBalloon
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
In this episode we are talking about how COVID has impacted our industry and how we can plan for our future based on consumer trends. Content for this episode was pulled directly from this article in Balloon Images Magazine, brought to you by Qualatex!
Episode Mentions:
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Wedding Episode #10
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Today I'm sharing another episode in our automation series- dreaded photo organization! I've been using google photos for several years and while my photo storage still isn't perfect, I know where everything is. You can get things under control in just a few minutes.
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Today I'm sharing all about weddings! I LOVE working on weddings. I'm busting the myth about bridezillas and how to avoid over planning and also explaining how brides can turn into repeat customers!
Episode mentions:
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Does social media overwhelm you? Or does it take up a ton of time? Worse yet, do you avoid it all together? This week I'm sharing how I use Later.com to schedule all of my posts for the month in 20 minutes.
Episode mentions:
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Marketing and publicity can be consuming! And at the end of the day how do you even know what's working. I'll tell you how in today's episode! You are five minutes away from total clarity.
More good stuff:
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My courses and products:
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Another action filled episode! You can do these three things TODAY to up your game on social media!
Episode mentions:
More good stuff!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Help us crowdsource our next series on Automation! What tasks do you HATE? Let's eliminate them or make a robot do them for you :) Head to The Bright Balloon on Instagram or email me at thebrightballoon@gmail.com and let me know which tasks you need help automating! We will crack the code together!
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
My courses and products:
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
YOU GUYS! This is one of my favorite networking techniques! Styled shoots can be intimidating or seem like a lot of work for a few pictures, but it's NOT about the pictures. Tune in to hear how styled photo shoots have helped me create a rock solid network of vendor friends AND my tips for how to be a team player on shoot day.
Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Today I'm talking with my first guest! Joette Giardina created her company, Balloon Coach, to help other artists learn and develop the business side of their trade. We are talking about the importance of good training and education and what you can expect at the upcoming Balloon Boss Summit on November 8-13 in Orlando Florida. There is still time to register!
Register for the Balloon Boss Summit Here!
I'll be attending as an instructor thanks to Qualatex as my sponsor.
Check out Tabitha Millers work on Facebook
My products and courses:
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Today I'm talking adding your business to Google maps and how it helped me start ranking on the first page of Google.
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Get control of your email and messages with this one adjustment. Phone calls, texts and DM's Oh MY! Stop dropping the ball and running around like a crazy person answering your clients messages! Implement this no-briner sales funnel today.
Hate your website or don't even have one? I'd love to help! Check out The Weekend Launch and publish your website by Monday.
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
These free upgrades will elevate your business and make you look like a pro (even if you are just starting out)! Don't confuse your customers with lame branding!
Resources mentioned in today's show: Canva.com Gmail
The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
Today I'm talking about your Instagram bio and the three things I see balloon businesses forgetting to include! Take just two minutes to make these updates today! The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!
Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com
Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor
Follow along on Instagram
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