The Bright Balloon

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

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

Other topics we talk about included:

• Hiring and training
• Managing growth
• The physical nature of the job
• Comparison and relationships
• Personal branding & her content plan

I really appreciated Melody's openness and honesty about this decision and the process, and since I know we all feel burnt out every so often, there's likely some parts of her experience that you'll relate to as well.

And in the UGlu Hotline, get a tip for when you're participating in a parade!

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In this episode I'm interviewing someone who has been in balloons for the same amount of time as me… it's my husband! Someone on Instagram had suggested the idea and we rolled with it. After all, he's had a front row seat to Wisconsin Balloon Decor (and all my business ideas) from the very beginning so it was fun to have him share his experience.

And since the idea originated on Instagram, I went back to the source for questions I should ask Zac, and I think anyone who also has a spouse or significant other along for the ride will enjoy hearing his perspective.

Zac and I talk about:

• Where he feels comfortable and wants to help
• How he's learned my installation style and standards
• His favorite and least favorite things about being married to a balloon decorator
• What it's like when I travel
• If he ever had any doubts about the business
• … and a few of my own questions for him!

Bear with us in the beginning as we fight through a bit of awkwardness, but we share openly about running the business while juggling kids and so much more. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, you'll hear about a banking option that has helped one artist implement the Profit First method.

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Max has been all over my Instagram lately so I was so happy to chat with him in this episode about some of the ways he aims to stand out from the crowd… including how he is starting to become a one-stop shop!

His fascination with balloons started when he was young and the store he would visit became an early inspiration for him. Then he came back to balloons for entertainment as times got tough… not knowing that he would one day start his own balloon business.

After getting degrees in hospitality and event management, the pandemic then halted that career and led him to finally take the leap into business ownership. Hear about his first paid jobs that really let his creativity lead the way. Now, he's got a small team and has incorporated quite a lot of rental items into what he offers so he can serve his clients in the way they need.

He shares with us the strategy for purchasing those items and growing his inventory… not just for the sake of growing his inventory, but with unique items he's not seeing others around him offering. Then we chat even more about finding ways to differentiate ourselves in our areas and how he's starting to put his event management skills to the test!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for renting marquees out to other vendors.

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momentsbymax.com | @momentsbymax_ | Moments By Max; Balloon Décor

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This week's episode is a little different because it's another group interview - this time with the ladies of the mastermind I'm in. If you've been listening to the bonus episodes you have probably heard a little bit about the idea of a mastermind, and today, we're sharing everything about ours!

You'll get the name of the book that inspired it all, how Tiffany (Confetti Castle) determined who to invite, how many of us are in the group, how often we meet and details on the actual structure of our discussions.

Several in the group mentioned how they had some self doubt about whether they could contribute in a meaningful way, but you'll hear how that quickly diminished as our conversations got going. And we're honest about it… sometimes the group needs to give some constructive criticism to our partners and I think we're all so glad that we have the respect for one another to receive that feedback without getting upset. I share a couple of challenges I've had with being a part of the group and how I plan to adjust my approach for our second "round".

It was really fun to recap some of our biggest takeaways thanks to the accountability and ideas shared in our mastermind. I really hope this episode inspires you and provides you with some good tips for creating your own masterminds! They really can be a powerful tool and safe space for taking your business to the next level with like-minded people who really understand your situation.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear about a great way to secure your garlands to the floor.

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The Common Path to Uncommon Success by John Lee Dumas

Coming soon: Balloon Garland Kit Guide from Hip Hip Array

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

Have you seen the massive sorority balloon installs from Arkansas? Well this episode's guest is Maggie of Presley Paige and she and her team are the ones behind so many of these mind-blowing jobs. She also has a retail store that you'll hear about! I learned so much from this interview and know that you'll pick up some gems as well.

Her business actually started as a retail shop and over time they added balloon decor services because of all the customer requests. Hear about how she learned technique and why her team was so crucial as they grew quickly.

Then we dive into the sorority installs that went viral for her in 2022. If you haven't seen them, check out her Instagram to see entire mansions dripping with balloons! She also shares with us a really unique way that she was able to do these incredible installations for sororities with smaller budgets, plus how she uses them as marketing.

Maggie goes on to share more about her corporate and private jobs, what actual tools they use for the huge installations, some additional things she's started doing to help her manage bid day work and the amazing benefits she's able to offer her team.

But you've also gotta hear how she positioned herself to be debt-free from the get-go! Huge kudos to everything Maggie has done to dream, establish and build a very cool business.

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear a good tip for removing dashes when they're feeling extra sticky.

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

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@shoppresleypaige

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In the final installment of our month of interviews curated by BalloonCoach.com, we're hearing from Dori of Total Party. There's a good chance that if you've been a part of any online training in our industry, you know Dori because she's so generous with her knowledge and experience and she loves to learn!

She tells us about the party business she had as a teenager and how her experience with project management in the corporate scene melded together to transition her into corporate events, which then led to Total Party. Hear about the niche she started with and how it's since changed.

Dori also shares some of the difficulties she had transitioning from being the event coordinator, to providing all of the decor herself, to then focusing solely on balloons. With my own personal experience in discontinuing services, I know how hard that can be so I was thankful she was willing to share her experience, too.

We then chat about the benefits of being able to reach certain milestones in your business, what types of things can attract new customers, doing our best to practice work-life balance and the importance of being willing to ask for help or seek out solutions that are already available to us.

It's no surprise that this conversation with Dori was a total delight - she's got so much to share!

And in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for all the balloon stuffers!

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@totalparty | Total Party LLC | www.total-party.com

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In our third of curated interviews from The Balloon Coach, we're hearing from Sheena of Dream Big Balloons. Sheena has done so much to take her business education into her own hands, and as you'll hear, it was often before she felt "ready". But wow, has it paid off!

We'll hear about how balloons brought joy back into her life, how she has more than 10x'ed her business from two years ago and many of the things that got her there… all the while juggling two other jobs and being a mom and wife.

Some of those things included:

• In-person events
• Making relationships with other artists
• Hiring contractors for the business side of things
• And generally being a great student!

She also tells us about her space, her help, her transportation, how she experiments with new ideas, the kind of marketing she does AND even her garland recipe that I personally believe totally stands out as one of the fullest-looking, signature styles.

Then in the UGlu Hotline, we'll hear a great tip for a water weight replacement.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

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@dreambigballoonswaco | Dream Big Balloons Waco | dreambigballoonswaco.com

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This week we have another guest curated by BalloonCoach.com, and it's Allyson from Pop Studio Balloons in Connecticut! She tells us all about how she started Pop Studio Balloons as a side hustle and has since taken herself and her husband full-time in the business. More importantly, though, she shares with us how they've intentionally built the business in a way that works for their life.

Hear about her hilarious first "paid" customer, the first item she sold and how she quickly dialed back her offers so that she could focus on being great at the best-sellers.

We also chat about our similar backgrounds in teaching, going to conventions as new balloon artists and of course how Balloon Boss Mastermind has helped our businesses, not just because of lots of help and advice, but mindset shifts as well.

It was so fun to hear the details of Allyson's business growth… everything from the transition from Covid drop offs to event installations, to her branding and process improvements, to earning repeat business through great customer service and experiences, to the tipping point that allowed her husband to join her full-time. Our conversation is lengthy, but jam-packed with so many things to learn from! Thank you Allyson!

Then in the UGlu Hotline we get a tip for a good Amazon source!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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popstudioballoons.com | @popstudioballoons

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In this first of four episodes sponsored by Balloon Coach in September, we hear from the Balloon Coach herself, Joette. We have an honest conversation about what she would have done differently knowing what she knows now.

She's actually one of the few in our industry who has purchased a balloon business, grew it and later sold it. So it's very interesting to hear about all these phases of business that she's experienced.

We also chat about:

• Imposter syndrome
• Solopreneurship and teams
• Referral networks
• Business recommendations that stand the test of time
• Old designs becoming new again
• Email marketing
• Pricing and confidence
• Regrets & mistakes

Then I ask for her opinion on what the best steps are to take a part-time, home-based business to full-time and $100k in sales. She offers equipment, staff and technology-related suggestions, according to a person's situation and goals.

It's always a pleasure to have Joette on the show, and once again, it's an episode packed full of good advice and encouragement.

From the UGlu Hotline, we get an idea for sticking foils together.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

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

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ALOFT (save $10 with code BRIGHT)

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

We've never had an episode like this one! Jordanne from Julep Publicity comes on the show to tell us all about one marketing aspect I know almost nothing about. She talks about how publicity works, plus what actual resources we can explore to get other people to amplify our businesses. It gave me so many lightbulb moments!

Jordanne breaks down for us how and where publicity fits in the umbrella of all things marketing. Then she expands upon all the ways publicity happens (media features, influencer collaborations, brand partnerships, etc.) and the credibility that comes along as a result.

She offers tips about setting publicity goals, whether you're reaching for just your local market or beyond. We talk about developing relationships with influencers, some ideas for getting the conversation going and she drops a great tip about getting an estimated cost for influencer services, too!

The conversation was so eye-opening. Whether you're going to try doing your own PR or work with an agency like Jordanne's, you're going to get so much information about how to best prepare for publicity and what exactly is involved!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for buying and using bulk rubber bands.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

‬Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

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Julep Publicity | @julep_publicity

Qwoted.com | connectively.us | sourceofsources.com

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