The Bright Balloon

If you want to hear what it's like to grow to $1M in sales, this episode is for you! I interviewed Chris of Balloon Masters at the Tuftex Experience and he's sharing so many golden nuggets about what he and his wife Marlene did to grow their business over the last several decades.

I really appreciate Chris' generosity of all the knowledge he shares with our industry, and respect how humble he is in the process. This interview is definitely one of my favorites!

We talk about:

• How their business started and the techniques used years ago
• His #1 tip for finding a location once you move your business out of your home
• What to look for in employees, when to hire them and how to best use their time
• Charging appropriately for your time while making the most of it
• Working smart and hard
• Investments to take your business to the next level
• Systems and marketing strategies

We finish up with a series of new get-to-know-you questions, and I'm guessing you'll feel the same after listening… but I was buzzing with info and ideas after this conversation!

In the UGlu Hotline, I'm sharing a tip about keeping your installation kits organized and fully stocked through the use of laminated cards.

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Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

balloonmasters.net

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If you struggle with negotiating, or even the idea of negotiating, this episode is for you! Nikki of Violet Pineapple Balloons comes on the show to share some really helpful tips about negotiation, specifically for a rental space.

We'll hear about what she was looking for in a space, the listing price, what she's actually paying for it and all the things to think about as part of your negotiation. I was also curious about her lease length and the strategy she shared to negotiate that was brilliant!

Nikki is going to give you a whole new way to think about not just negotiation but also leasing in general. She now has an opportunity to move into a larger space so we get to hear about her active negotiation and willpower to wait for what she wants.

This conversation really opened my eyes to some negotiating strategies I didn't know existed. Thanks to Nikki for sharing!

In the UGlu Hotline, hear how I'm using pants hangers for my favorite organizational upgrade of the past few years - something I picked up from Bri of Elevated Impressions.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: Kalisan https://www.kalisan.com.tr/

@violet_pineapple_balloonsllc

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

This interview was a total treat! We'll get to hear from Jenny of Simply Jenny Designs all about her experience decorating for Hallmark movies, including how she landed the first job, what she's learned since and what it's like to be on set!

She shares with us how quickly into running her business that she got her first movie set opportunity, the booking and decor details as well as how much air time her balloons got. We'll also hear about the other movies she's decorated for, as well as her latest opportunity for a movie airing this Christmas!

Of course we also talk about her general business growth as well, plus how she juggles balloons with her full-time job and some of her favorite marketing tactics. It was so nice meeting Jenny and hearing about her unique experiences!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear my favorite way to frame square arches.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: Kalisan https://www.kalisan.com.tr/

@simply_jenny_designs

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

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In this conversation, Tricia of Noree Events shares her journey of building a successful balloon decor business in a small community. She discusses the challenges and advantages of operating in a small town, the importance of community support and the strategies she employs to network and grow her business.

She emphasizes the significance of personal connections, the role of local businesses in fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and the importance of staying true to herself.

Before we wrap up Tricia shares her business expansion goals with us as well. I find her situation so relatable, her personality so friendly, and I think so many in our balloon industry will, too!

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear how one listener uses hooks to attach her foils.

Unlock three free bonus episodes!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: Kalisan https://www.kalisan.com.tr/

@noreeevents

Other sponsors & resources:

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

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

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In this episode, I'm walking you through the exact steps I take to help determine whether my constant business ideas are worth pursuing. I'll share some of the most recent things I've considered, what I almost immediately scrapped and what is still a possibility.

I'm talking about:

• Gut checks on passion and ease
• Profitability
• Time, energy and bandwidth
• Business compatibility

Then I'll share a few actual tactics I use if an idea passes all of those marks: soft launching, asking fellow balloon artists to borrow content and getting insight from industry contacts.

I wrap up with a bit of "homework" that you can do to further explore your ideas, or maybe get past them.

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear about an item that one listener wishes she bought sooner.

>> Unlock three free bonus episodes!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: Kalisan

Other sponsors & resources:

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

Stay Booked

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!

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

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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

Courses

@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

We're excited to have Kalisan curating another month of episodes for us, and to kick things off this time is DJ of Balloons in Bold. He is a fine artist who uses balloons as his medium, so it was cool to get yet another take on balloons as a form of art!

He had worked as a balloon twister before turning to fine art as a form of emotional expression. Little did he know how much it would take off and get noticed in the way it did. Before he knew it he was the feature of a gallery show and by using a medium that is usually associated with fun and joy to display darker imagery, it really grabbed people's attention.

We'll hear about his strategy for making the balloons last during gallery prep and throughout the show, including how he found a way to put balloon dogs into a pattern and what products he used.

DJ also shares more about what influences his art and describes several of his show exhibits. I appreciated him being willing to share his story!

And in the UGlu Hotline, hear about one of my own favorite inflators!

Unlock three free bonus episodes!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

@balloonsinbold

Other sponsors & resources:

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

Stay Booked

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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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

If you've ever forgotten about a job, left your U-Haul door open when driving or gotten robbed at an installation… you're going to relate to what Rachel shares in this episode! She and I talk about some of our worst installations to date and, more importantly, how we handled them and kept moving forward.

Even though the topic feels negative, Rachel and I couldn't help but laugh our way through this episode as we commiserate in things that only balloon professionals would understand.

Before we dive into the hilarity, Rachel offers some tips for those managing their full-time jobs alongside their balloon business, including customer management, time management, boundaries and product offerings.

Then we get into it. Hear about her forgotten job and the absolute scramble to make it happen… tons of broken bases on her first 5-digit job… balloon bags flying across the highway… and stolen bags with hundreds of dollars of equipment inside.

I chime in with my related stories, too, and we wrap up by sharing some final thoughts about how to turn crazy things like these into learning opportunities.

I'm so grateful to Rachel for being willing to come on the show to talk about the kinds of mistakes that we all make… or almost certainly will make.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear about one of my favorite inventory tips to date!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

@evansvilleballooncompany

Other sponsors & resources:

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

Gemar USA

Stay Booked

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!

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

If you've ever wondered what it's like working with and attracting high-end clients, this episode is for you! Chris of Balloon Design Studio shares with us how he goes after the big jobs, his pricing and more.

Before we get into those details, hear about his first balloon arch job he did in the sixth grade! He continued running his business through college, then eventually knew it was time to dive into his dream of doing balloons full-time.

Now, he loves tackling new design and installation challenges with mostly every job he does in New York City for his high-end clients. We'll hear about his:

• networking approach
• branding plans
• marketing strategy
• why he wants to be known for having the highest prices
• when he hires extra hands
• and how / when he actually locks in these clients.

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear why one listener suggests having everything in your shop on wheels.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

@balloondesignstudio

Other sponsors & resources:

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

Gemar USA

Stay Booked

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!

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In this episode I'm learning from Tracy of Joyful Party Co. (formerly From Me 2 You Creations) about what it's like to rebrand after being in business for almost 20 years. She shares with us everything that was involved in the process, including the financial impact it had.

Learn about the services her original business started with, how her initial run with balloons was stopped short, how eventually her balloon business was propelled forward and how many aspects are now part of Joyful Party Co.

Then we dig into the specifics of the rebrand. We'll hear about what compelled her to go through the process, how it was stalled and how eventually she knew she had to do it. She also shares an awesome AI prompt that helped her fully develop Joyful Party Co.

Tracy goes on to mention how the rebrand impacted her banking, taxes, website and domains, social media, physical assets like shirts and signs, logins with distributors, etc… and how it was all worth it in the end.

And in the UGlu Hotline, hear one listener's tip on what they wish they would have known earlier.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Ep. 207 - Family business and rebranding | Delloons

@joyfulparty.co

Other sponsors & resources:

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

Gemar USA

Stay Booked

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!

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Glow Retreat Waitlist

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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

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In this episode I'm sharing how I track my numbers so that I know what's coming in and how I'm making my way towards my financial goal. Hear what keeps me focused, how I reverse-engineer all of my numbers to make a realistic plan and how I honed in on the exact type of customer I need to focus on.

Then I'll talk through some of the main pieces of getting customers to rebook, what I've pulled back from automation and the surprising insight I've gotten thanks to my new tracking system. I wrap up by sharing how I move my money so that I'm able to count down to my goal with excitement.

This strategy eliminates so much financial stress for me and I'm so passionate about it! I hope that these tips and insights will help you set yourself up for success, too.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear about how one listener saves on her helium.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Other sponsors & resources:

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

Gemar USA

Stay Booked

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

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

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Glow Retreat Waitlist

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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

Courses

@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube