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 w

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

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

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!   <span style= "text-decoration: underlin

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! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)  Balloon Suite  <a href="https://havinaparty.com/" target="_blank" rel="noope

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.

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.

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 ye

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 conf

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! Purchase a graphic Tee here Listen to the first Extra Betty episode here Thank you to PremiumConwin for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year) <

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: [email protected] 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. <p dir="ltr"

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

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: finding your best clients identifying your unique offering streamlining your process 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 referre

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 bou

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: what the Pumpkin Plan Accelerator Course is how to get involved course assets, lessons & activities how to find your business sweet spot changes you can expect to see (and feel) from implementing the Pumpkin Plan And in the UGlu Hotline, we have a question about how to stand out from the competition in your

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 refl

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.

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: Lori’s initial start and what she wanted to do differently with her photo booth how balloons made their way into her business how 17hats helps her manage the photo booth, balloons and other services her advice on adding a photo booth to a balloon business more specifics of the unique service that I’m going to try her storage situation Once again, I’ve come away from an interview with some

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

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: keep it simple have the right tech remember the photos 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

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. Join here!    Thanks to our sponsors!  17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)  Havin' a Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)   Balloon Suite  UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% @ Havin' a Party with code BRI

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: cold calling and sales the mindset impact from being in Balloon Boss Mastermind how to search for and select a retail location (and a landlord) Balloon Planet inventory management and processes doing installations alongside having the retail space 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 starpoi

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 the

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

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

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning and chatting about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here!  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)   Balloon Suite  UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% @ Havin' a Party with code BRIGHT) <a href="https://lddy

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

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. <p d

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: the progression of the hires she made some awesome & unexpected things that came up from making those hires her new role now that she has a team some crazy (and somewhat unreal) van experiences she's had (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 e

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 bounda

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  Balloon Suite  Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHT)  UGlu by Pro tapes Balloon Boss Summit & BalloonCoach.com  FLOAT the Convention Call the UGlu Hotline- ‪(262) 221-8514‬ *The first 10 callers will receive 10

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning and chatting about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here!  Last month, we read Goals by Zig Ziglar. 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)  Balloon Suite  BalloonCoach.com 

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: to set better boundaries make more by working less recycling $250,000 in sales 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 guesse

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 large

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! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!   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: industry changes industry mainstays <li d

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: Pricing Guide Menu  Color Chart <a href="https://ref

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning and chatting about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here! 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) Balloon Suite BalloonCoach.com

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. Alis

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 tha

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

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

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here! Last month, we read 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 BRIGHTBALLOON) Balloon Suite BalloonCoach.com

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!     <p dir="ltr" style= "color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-colo

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: <span style= "font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Arial; color: #2

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

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.</p

I've had a day job for as long as I've been doing balloons, but as of now... I'm officially self-employed! After 10 years at my former employer I realized it was time to resign. It was never even something that was a goal of mine, but as things got busier with balloons and this podcast, my day job quickly became the thing that I enjoyed the least.   Some of the things that helped me decide it was time to leave were: the book club books the realization that the benefits weren't as good as it seemed practicing some thoughts about what full-time entrepreneurship is actually like   Through the books and many conversations, I realized that what I had been holding onto as the "safer" choice (my day job) was actually just the lazy choice. It became clear that I was “quiet quitting” for some time and it didn'

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here! Last month, we read Get Different by Mike Michalowicz. This episode is a brief overview of the key takeaways!    Thanks to our sponsors!  17hats (get 50% off your 1st year) Havin' a Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHTBALLOON) Balloon Suite BalloonCoach.com

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.  <

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.   <p dir="

Having gone to New York City for New Year's Eve recently, my mind was kind of blown thinking about running a balloon business in a city that has that much traffic and congestion! So Jam of Garden Place Balloons (in Queens) comes on the show to tell us about some of the ways working in a big city have impacted decisions he's made in his business.   We talk about: how he outsources some of the physical labor, and is implementing automation to help him as a solopreneur how he needs to schedule his decor jobs if they're in the heart of the city the creation of and relationships built through The Balloon Ball (collaboration with Dolly & Eddie of @delloons, Magali of @mpballoonsdecor, Nicolle o

Jenny is the owner of Three Sparrows Balloon Studio in Ontario and has an interesting business model that I wanted to hear more about! Her balloon studio is actually a subdivision of The Fete Studio, which she owns 50/50 with her business partner Mel.   They came into the business with different strengths and interests, and continue to operate using those same strengths to this day. Jenny tells us all about: why she went for a business partner instead of hiring someone the details of their business setup how having a business partner reminds her of the whole purpose of her business the built-in time benefits of having a business partner their physical workspac

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here! Last month, we read Do Less by Kate Northrup. This episode is a brief overview of the key takeaways and a huge life update!    Thanks to our sponsors!  Havin' a Party Wholesale (save 5% with code BRIGHTBALLOON) Balloon Suite

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 balloon

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 ch

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:</p

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

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here! Last month, we read 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 BRIGHTBALLOON) Balloon Suite

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 abou

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: The book club, and specifically The Pumpkin Plan Hiring bookkeepers and an inflator Learning and growing from interviews, plus a bucket list interview with Treb   Some wins & specifically helpful resources you've all shared: Inspiration from Treb! Not undervaluing our work & not trying to be everything to everyone Ep. 72 - None of your business  <a href= "https://www.thebrightballoon.com/podcast/episode/394e24f1/89-the-balloon-bar-or-joe-from-havin-a-party-wh

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 edible arrangements homemade or locally made sweets locally made candles gift cards (combined with balloons!) hand-written cards   Gifts for employees apparel</

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 Email marketing: consistency & pre-scheduling Recycle, recycle, recycle Big pumpkin energy   Facebook first: posting with pu

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 hel

Here's another bonus episode of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here! Last month, we read 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 BRIGHTBALLOON) Balloon Suite

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   <span style= "text-decoration:

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

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 <s

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 <span data

Here's another overview of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club! Join here! 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!  <a dragg

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:<

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: <a href="https://havinaparty.com/" target="_blank

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 -

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 lear

Here's another overview of what we've been learning about over in the Bright Balloon Book Club!  Join here! 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! Havin' a Party Wholesale Asset Lab

Money Personality Quiz 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 <sp

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-

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 <

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: The Creative Heart Studio  Havin' A Party Wholesale  Asset Lab  The Bright Balloon on YouTube  ____________________________ <a href="https://www.the

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!  Join here! 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: Havin' a Party Wholesale Asset Lab

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,

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 <sp

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 <span class="timestamp" contenteditable="false" data-timesta

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 S

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 <span class="t

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 - wa

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. <span style= "text-d

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</span

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 <span style="fo

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 Buil

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 de

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: Asset Lab  Havin' A Party Wholesale  ____________________________ The LASER Focused Solopreneur  Support the show / join the book club  planner | <a href= "https://www.thebrightballoon.com/courses" targe

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!</a

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!     <

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 <span sty

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 <span class="timestamp" contenteditable="false" data-timestamp= "912.7723

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 <span c

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</p

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</

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: <span style="fon

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: BalloonCoach.com Havin' A Party Wholesale  ____________________________ The LASER Focused Solopreneur <a href="https://www.patreon.com/thebrightballoon" target= "_blank"

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 <span style="font-weigh

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:</

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 <spa

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 <

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

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

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.   <span style="font-weight: 40

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 <span data-timesta

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 <

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!)   <span style= "text-decoration:

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!<

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 s

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 <span class="timestamp" contenteditable="false

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

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: <a href="https://www.thebright

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 <span style="font-we

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!    WHA

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 p

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 Download your custom color chart here

*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</sp

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</spa

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 fi

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: [email protected] Episode Mentions: Episode about hiring with Erin about hiring Episode with Ali about grab and go garlands Profit First All about my van Join me in Balloon Boss Mastermind or at Summit

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!

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: [email protected]  

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 17hats for free! 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 bu

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 B

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 we

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Templa

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!  

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!  

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!

Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit  to level up your business and check out the Balloon Coach Tour Here! My Courses: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet for Clients My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet for Clients My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!  

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: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet for Clients My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!  

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 for Clients 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 for Clients 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 <a href= "https

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! Social Starters:

I'm talking all about balloon conventions, or in this case, FLOAT! You can still register to attend! Check it out 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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Sara's Balloon Bu

I'm talking all about balloon conventions, or in this case, Balloon Boss Summit! You can still register to attend! Check it out here! 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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can co

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: The Creative Heart Studio Lilly's Instagram 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! <a href= "https://the-bright-balloon.thinkific.com/cour

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 bus

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 <a href= "htt

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! <a href= "https:

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! <a href= "https://the-bright-balloon.thinkific.com/course

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 Adopt A Grandparent episode 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! Soci

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon D

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: Join us at Summit! Megan's Business Website Yard Decor Facebook group Megan's Tutorials Bright Balloon Resources: My Courses: TheBrightBalloon Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable

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! <a href= "https://the-bright-balloon.thin

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

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor <p

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Sara's Balloon Business: <a href= "https://www.wisconsinball

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! <a href= "https://the-br

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Sara's Balloon Business: <a href= "https://www.wisconsinballoondecor.com/

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! The Very Best Balloon Blog Ballooncoach.com My Courses: TheBrightBalloon Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend! Social Starters: 100 prompts to p

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Sara's Balloon Business: <a

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 Original blog post here 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 <a href= "https://th

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 w

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 Balloon Boss Pro Course Balloon Boss Mastermind Episode Mentions: 17 Hats 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 pla

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: Balloon Images Magazine 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! <a href= "https://the-bright-balloon.thinkific.com/courses/social-sta

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com Sara's B

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: Styled Shoot Episodes 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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Courses and Sho

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: Later.com Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. 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: TheBr

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com Sara's Balloon Business: <a href= "https://www.wisconsi

Another action filled episode! You can do these three things TODAY to up your game on social media! Episode mentions: Later.com Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. 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: Wiscons

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 [email protected] 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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Courses and Show Information: <a href= "htt

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! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com

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! Social Starte

Today I'm talking adding your business to Google maps and how it helped me start ranking on the first page of Google. Google My Business The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend! Social Starters: 100 prompts to posts that you can copy, paste and customize to boost your engagement. Courses and Show Information: TheBrightBalloon.com Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloo

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