The Bright Balloon

Based on the questions that I get most, this episode is a rapid fire listing of all the things I use to run my business, from website, to invoicing, to social media and even inventory.

I also offer up:

- my favorite analogy for understanding how all the tech pieces work together

- some food for thought on why you should consider implementing similar systems as your business grows

- a hint at some additional resources I have planned for you!

Hopefully this episode will help you fill in any gaps that might be in your balloon business! I also have a Cliff's Notes version of this episode available for download.

If you find this podcast helpful, I'd be honored if you considered becoming a Patreon.

And as always, thanks to our show sponsor, Balloon Coach, and the Balloon Boss Mastermind.

Timestamps:

02:35 Google products (Google Workspace)

03:09 Website (Wix - learn how to publish your website in a weekend)

03:36 Contact form & my 17hats CRM (customer relationship management system)

04:30 Payment processing (Square) & bookkeeping (Quickbooks Online)

07:20 Social media

09:30 Inventory

11:27 Training

12:15 Inflaters

15:26 Graphics (Canva.com)

Related episodes:

12. Automation Series | Get your photos under control

27. Booking Process Workarounds

54. Set It Up September | CRM and 17hats

15. Money Matters | Tips to get your numbers sorted this year

10. Automation Series | Social Media Planning with Later.com

33. My love affair with Canva | Have you heard about these new features?

The Bright Balloon is one year old!!! Today I'm recapping all of the ways my business has changed this past year thanks to the great guests on this podcast!

Support the podcast on Patreon!

Email me to get on our 17hats list: [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!

Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor

Follow along on Instagram

This week I'm talking about what happened to my business when Facebook and Instagram were down all day...nothing. That's because I don't run my business ON those platforms, I use them to promote my business. Today I'm talking about the difference.

Let me help you build a website with The Weekend Launch.

This is only available until January 1st then I'm retiring the course forever!

Get in touch: [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 business website this weekend!

Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor

Follow along on Instagram

This week I'm talking about a calendar audit and how it can help you outline your entire year before it even starts! Keeping repeat business is so much more profitable than constantly marketing to new customers.

Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit

More good stuff!

Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!

My Courses: TheBrightBalloon

Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland

The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!

Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor

Follow along on Instagram

This week I'm talking about my lack of a cancellation policy and why I got very lucky during a string of cancellations this month! I'm encouraging you, and me, to rethink and plan our crystal clear cancellation policies going into 2022!

Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit

More good stuff!

Sign up for my email list and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my bookkeeping, social media planning, CRM and more!

My Courses: TheBrightBalloon

Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland

The Weekend Launch: Launch your balloon business website this weekend!

Sara's Balloon Business: Wisconsin Balloon Decor

Follow along on Instagram

Use the last quarter to set up all of your goals so you can hit the ground running at the start of the year! In this episode, I'm outlining "Profit First" and how it helped me figure out my cashflow.

Read the book now, set up your accounts, and implement at the new year!

Thanks to our show sponsor: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit

My Courses:

Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland

My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!

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!