The Bright Balloon

Thanks to so many of you for following along during my Instagram reels experiment this past month!

After posting a reel every day for the past 30 days, I've been through so many emotions and I'm still a little unsure how I feel about them. But in the end I do think I've found a way to incorporate reels into my balloon business in a way that actually makes good business sense.

Listen in to hear about my cringy moments, tough moments, funny moments and realizations about posting Instagram reels every day for a month.

TIMESTAMPS:

03:19 - why I decided to try reels every day

09:54 - some ideas I picked up along the way

14:07 - what I didn't like about it

23:06 - how this experiment turned around - a little

26:36 - my biggest lesson learned & some tips

35:43 - we're on the same page!

39:41 - exciting stuff coming up

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Havin' A Party Wholesale

BalloonCoach.com Mastermind

The Big Balloon Build

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The LASER Focused Solopreneur

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There are so many points in your business where it feels like you need to wait for permission to take the next step... to buy the van... to move out of your home location, etc.

But sometimes you just need to go for it! In this episode, Melody and I talk about the ways that just going for it and figuring things out along the way have helped us grow our businesses in ways we couldn't really have predicted.

We talk about fear, being honest with yourself, unexpected hurdles and so much more.

She also shares the details of her education platform, Foxx Creative Share.

Listen in for some inspiration on taking a courageous step forward in your business!

TIMESTAMPS:

04:08 - about Melody's balloon business

09:29 - there are so many right ways to do things

19:46 - about the Foxx Creative Share platform

30:14 - making adjustments as you go

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Foxx Creative Share

Havin' A Party Wholesale

Asset Lab

The Creative Current

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@thebrightballoon

In this episode I'm looking back on my attempt at the "red x month", and let me tell you... because I wasn't as busy, it gave me some time to really sit down and analyze how I felt about my business and what I wanted it to be.

Then I also suddenly realized that instead of a "red x month", I was actually implementing an approach I read about years ago, from one of my favorite authors. It didn't apply to my business at the time, but now I'm so excited to dive into "The Pumpkin Plan" next.

Listen in hear about how this experiment went and how you can join me in the next one!

TIMESTAMPS:

02:55 - How it went and what I learned

09:19 - What it did to my money mindset

16:51 - What I'd change if I did it again

19:37 - An interesting thing that started happening

24:20 - What I realized I was actually doing instead

33:43 - Coupon for your feedback!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Show survey & store coupon

BalloonCoach.com Mastermind

Havin' A Party Wholesale

Ep. 51 - Set it up September | Profit First

Ep 80 - Profit First revisited with Elizabeth Fiore

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@thebrightballoon

We've all seen it all over Instagram. The creation of custom colors by double-stuffing balloons. But is it the right move for your business?

In this episode, Joette of ballooncoach.com and I discuss the ways that this can actually hurt your business. Is it eating your profit? What happens when a layer pops?

Listen in to hear about some things you should consider before double-stuffing, and some ways to move away from it.

And let us know what you think by commenting on Instagram!

TIMESTAMPS:

07:33 - misconceptions about double-stuffing

14:09 - ways to test your designs

19:09 - ways to shift the conversation away from custom colors

30:53 - where to get more balloon business advice & community

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

BalloonCoach.com Mastermind

Inventory System with Custom Color Chart

Asset Lab

Havin' A Party Wholesale

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@thebrightballoon

This is one of the most unique interviews we've had yet, because Kelly will be sharing with us how she's prepared to run two balloon businesses in two different states!

I really appreciate her transparency about this process and the value she places on the quality of life as a business owner.

We talk about adding staff, adding income streams, dealing with customers on their biggest days, business relationships and more.

I'm also excited that we've already got a follow-up interview scheduled after her move because I cannot wait to hear how it goes for her.

She's graciously offered to help anyone with questions about staffing, etc. if you want to connect with her on Instagram below.

TIMESTAMPS:

5:08 - her balloon business background

8:47 - the growth of her team and business

12:55 - how Poppin' Cleveland will run when she moves to Texas

15:30 - her approach to business competition

21:20 - how she prepared her staff for her move

28:15 - the ranges of customer service experiences

35:18 - getting ahead of the fear of growth

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

@poppincleveland

Havin' A Party Wholesale

BalloonCoach.com

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The LASER Focused Solopreneur

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@thebrightballoon

This episode is back to the list-style format, where I'll walk you through 10 things you should double-check are listed and available on your website.

Some are more of a nice bonus than others, but are super easy to implement.

I really hope you find this list helpful and that any updates you make will mean more leads, smoother processes and more sales for your business!

And if you discover something you're missing, we've got quite a few episodes and tools listed here in the show notes that can get you started!

TIMESTAMPS:

01:52 - your location (check Instagram, too!)

02:58 - about page

04:41 - a way to collect the info you need from them

06:47 - your booking process

08:14 - Instagram feed

09:25 - localized SEO

11:22 - pricing menus that expedite sales

13:33 - searchable file names for images

16:19 - suggested venues and vendors

19:10 - pop-up

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Laser Focused Sales with Pricing Guides

Grab and Go Garland Bundle

Ep. 67 - Coming up in local search | Jeff from Asset Lab

Ep. 81 - Price transparency

Ep. 83 - All about Grab & Go Garlands

Havin' A Party Wholesale

Asset Lab

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@thebrightballoon

It is so, so easy to fall into the trap of over serving by providing more balloons than your customer actually paid for. But the thing is, I think it's risky!

In this episode, I'll share with you 5 reasons why I think it's risky, plus 5 things you can do instead to over serve... and they won't take tons of money out of your pocket.

I'd love to hear if you're doing any of them already, or which ones you're going to start implementing first!

TIMESTAMPS:

03:25 - 5 reasons over serving with product is risky

10:04 - clear communication

13:11 - be present

19:42 - help out in a pinch

22:55 - celebrate your customers and share big events

27:04 - send a thank you

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Thank you postcard template

Join the mailing list

Fool Proof Formula for Gorgeous Garlands

Havin' A Party Wholesale

Asset Lab

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@thebrightballoon

I really wasn't sure what to expect for my first experience of a Big Balloon Build, and wow, I'll admit... working on such a massive crew was pretty challenging at times since I am so used to working on my own!

But Bee was sure to keep the end goal in mind throughout the build, which helped her bring a calm presence that was much needed.

In this interview Bee and I chat about what it's like to be involved in such a massive project, and the incredible benefits of participating.

Plus, there's an exciting announcement at the end, too!

TIMESTAMPS:

07:06 - Bee's balloon business background

12:03 - what The Big Balloon Build is (pics)

15:40 - her Big Balloon Build experience abroad

20:18 - getting in the right headspace for working with a large crew

27:47 - how to get involved

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

BalloonCoach.com

Havin' A Party Wholesale

Ep. 38 - The Big Balloon Build | Stuart Davies & Liz Romani

@b4alloccasionz

Asset Lab

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@thebrightballoon

It's officially been a full year since I've made two huge changes in my business: having a shop and buying a van!

In this episode, I'm running through all of the ways these decisions have impacted my business... including the domino affects.

Plus, I'll let you know which one I'd recommend you go for first if you can!

TIMESTAMPS:

02:46 - the pros and cons of having a shop

07:58 - a domino affect of having the shop

10:24 - the huge difference my van has made in my business

14:41 - domino affects of having the van

16:48 - how I decided to make these changes in the first place

18:59 - two changes I didn't make

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

BalloonCoach.com

Havin' A Party Wholesale

Grab and Go Garland Bundle

Ep. 40 - I bought a van!

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@thebrightballoon

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 | courses | templates

@thebrightballoon