The Bright Balloon

In this episode, we are talking about a marquee secret that might make you rethink everything. I'm talking with Jenna from Festive & Flair, and when she told me she made her own marquees, I fully assumed we were headed into DIY disposable territory. And then I went to her website and I zoomed way in and thought, there is no way she made these. I have to have her on the podcast.

Her marquees are lightweight, clean, reusable, professional-looking marquee letters made out of foam. Yes, foam… but not what you're thinking. And she is breaking down exactly how she does it, how much it costs and why it's one of the easiest upsells you can add to your business without dropping $15-20k upfront.

Plus, in the second half of this episode, we get into her "friendor" strategy (basically, networking done right) where she becomes a connector for the entire event and gets paid for it.

It's a fabulous episode that I think is going to give a lot of people a new option when it comes to bringing in marquees as part of your inventory.

And thanks once again to this month's presenting sponsor, Tuftex!

In the UGlu Hotline, hear one listener's tip for covering your framing.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Sales Sets

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

buildwiththeguild.com

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

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Festive & Flair Lighted Marquee Tutorial | @festiveandflair

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If you've ever wondered what it looks like to build a balloon empire, this episode will show you. I'm sitting down with "the Carolina sisters", Haley and Alley of Carolina Balloons and Confetti, a second generation balloon powerhouse who quietly crossed seven figures in revenue with a team that is basically their family.

But first, thank you to this month's presenting sponsor, Tuftex, who selected Haley and Ali as their guest of the month. Tuftex Balloons is the only manufacturer making latex balloons in the USA. They're committed to providing premium products and building a stronger balloon community through education. They've also been so supportive of the podcast, so thank you to such a great company!

And Haley and Alley were the perfect Tuftex pick because their dad started the company in the 80s when Tuftex was still called Maple City Rubber. They grew up inside balloon boxes, they were rigging balloon drops before they could drive and now they're running massive corporate installs, stadium confetti blasts, street festivals, LED and traditional marquee setups, giant rental games… and casually doing $200,000 in a single month of sales.

We talk legacy, takeover, sales psychology, burnout, pivoting during COVID and we get very honest about what it actually takes to grow this big. Buckle up, this episode is packed!

In the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for when your marquee bulbs break!

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Sales Sets

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

buildwiththeguild.com

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

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carolinaballoons.com

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If you've ever wondered if your online presence is doing more harm than good, this episode is for you. It turns out that etiquette isn't just about fancy forks and putting books on your head. It is your secret weapon to making every first impression count… both on and off screen.

In this episode, etiquette coach Jules Hirst spills the tea on modern manners that actually work in today's digital world. We connected because we are both 17hats Ambassadors! From crafting the perfect email to mastering small talk and strategic networking, Jules shares simple hacks that elevate your professional game without feeling stuffy.

I will for sure be utilizing her tips in my business when it comes to what I wear, how I make my first impression and what to do after a networking event.

In the UGlu Hotline, get another great tip from Erin at Young and Wild!

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Sales Sets

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

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juleshirst.com

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On the Bright Side Apple | Patreon

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For this episode I sat down with Loretta from Perfectly Popped Balloons in England, live at the Sempertex International Balloon Convention, and we dove into the world of deliverables…or in her case, pickups. As in, the grab-and-go, take-home balloon pieces that can add consistent revenue to your business.

Whether you're brand new or years in, this conversation will give you practical ideas and fresh inspiration if you want to strengthen the smaller, handheld side of your offerings instead of focusing only on large installs that usually dominate the conversation.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip from Red Balloon Cork in Ireland!

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Sales Sets

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

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Imperfectly Me

@perfectlypoppedballoons

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In this replay of a bonus episode from On The Bright Side, I'm breaking down why limiting your options might be the most powerful move you can make in your balloon business.

I walk through how simplifying your color inventory and menu of offerings can make it easier for clients to book, faster for your team to execute and significantly more profitable over time. This approach has helped me reduce stress, streamline training, cut waste and build a business that can grow (or shrink) without chaos.

Since I originally recorded this, I've released Sales Sets, which are ready-to-use product images in color palettes that you can purchase instead of doing your own photo shoot to display your menu. So as you're listening, just know you've got two paths. You can absolutely follow along and use this episode as a guide to plan your own menu photo shoot when the time is right; or if you wanna skip the studio booking, inflation and expense, you can use Sales Sets as a plug-and-play option (or even as a placeholder until you're ready to do your own photos).

This has been the single best thing I have done to help my customers understand what I'm selling and purchase faster.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear why one listener prints and laminates her SOPs.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Sales Sets

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

2026 Bright Balloon Planner

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This episode was recorded live from the Sempertex International Balloon Convention, where once again, I sat down with Elisabeth of Pop of Color (Arizona). This is her third time on the podcast, but our first time recording face-to-face!

We chat about organic balloons, how this style has earned its place in the industry and what it really looks like to run a profitable home-based balloon business without chasing every trend or install.

We cover:

• pricing based on your market (not competition)

• setting real profit goals

• how she structures her prep and install days

• the client process she refuses to give up, because it's such a game changer for repeat business.

This conversation is honest, refreshing and full of all sorts of practical takeaways, especially if you want to make good money without building a massive operation.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear one listener's tip for researching a new balloon color on Instagram.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

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@popofcoloraz

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Get ready for tons of inspiring lessons in this episode! It's a panel discussion with four million dollar balloon business owners, all who came on the podcast out of the goodness of their hearts & I'm so grateful.

We talk about:

• What impacted their growth the most

• What positions they suggest hiring first

• Some big mistakes they've made along the way

• Owning / leasing their various spaces

• Loans, assets and investments

• Staying motivated

• Their biggest pieces of advice

Thank you so much to our guest panelists: Erin, Blenda, Brian and Chris.

I would also like to thank this month's sponsor, Joette of Balloon Coach. In fact, two of the panelists (and myself), will all be on staff at her Balloon Boss Summit this year. So if you like this conversation, just imagine experiencing it in person. Summit is really special for that reason, and it's intentionally kept small to help attendees create relationships.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip from one of the panelists on what she sends to clients in the mail.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: Balloon Coach Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

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More with Erin

More with Blenda

More with Brian

More with Chris

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On the Bright Side Apple | Patreon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

Imagine if tomorrow your city decided to close your business, and before you could even start a conversation, it was too late. It was already written into the law.

Right now, our industry is being talked about without us in the room. Decisions about balloons are being made by people who don't understand how professional balloon artists actually work, the care we take, the standards we follow, or the businesses and families that depend on this industry.

The Coalition for Responsible Celebrations is trying to make sure that we have a place in that room and that we stay informed about the discussions taking place without us.

This month's presenting sponsor is Balloon Coach, and one of the many ways Joette supports our industry is by advocating for the CRC so that none of our businesses are impacted by hasty legislation.

This interview took place in person at the 2025 International Balloon Convention, where Joette attended to advocate for the CRC. I hope you'll consider becoming a member so you can be part of these conversations, too.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear one listener's tip for finishing up her stuffed balloons.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: Balloon Coach Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

2026 Bright Balloon Planner

CoalitionForResponsibleCelebration.org

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On the Bright Side (Apple) On the Bright Side (Patreon)

50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

Most of us, myself included, are using ChatGPT as a writing assistant or Google on steroids. "Proofread this, write me an Instagram caption for that, what's this rash on my kid's arm?" But we know it's capable of more, especially when it comes to managing a small business. But how? How do we tap into the greater capabilities without wasting time? How do we build systems that are organized or repeatable? Well, we ask an expert.

Cue Emily from Utah Balloon Creations. Emily has been on the podcast before where she shared spreadsheets, pricing calculators and tech tips that blew my mind. So I knew that she was the perfect guest to teach us about AI in a practical, usable way.

Hear about why she thinks of her AI as a person, the customizations she recommends for your AI, how she avoids rabbit holes with it and the five best practices for using it.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear how Erin of Young and Wild Balloon Co. labels everything that leaves her warehouse.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: Balloon Coach Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

@utahballooncreations

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

2026 Bright Balloon Planner

Ep. 159 - Precision Pricing | Emily of Utah Balloon Creations

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On the Bright Side (Apple) On the Bright Side (Patreon)

50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

If you have ever sat down to set goals and immediately felt overwhelmed or like you're just rewriting the same goals you didn't quite hit last year, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Joette of Balloon Coach and we discuss how most business owners don't have a goal problem, they have a clarity problem.

Too many ideas, too much pressure, and not enough structure to actually follow through. So in this episode, we are going to help you set goals in a way that actually works, allowing you to make more money without adding more stress to your life.

We're talking about fewer goals, better focus and a plan that supports your real life, not a fantasy version of it. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear direction for the year ahead and a simple way to move forward with confidence without burning out or over-complicating things.

In the UGlu Hotline, I share how I label my rental items to help make sure they get back to me.

Unlock three free bonus episodes!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: Balloon Coach

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Courtney Lynette Creative Co. (mention the podcast for $100 off!)

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

2026 Bright Balloon Planner

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On the Bright Side (Apple) On the Bright Side (Patreon)

50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

The Bright Balloon on YouTube