Libsyn Directory

374. Live from The International Balloon Convention

Release Date: 10/28/2025

398. Profitable organic decor and building trust

The Bright Balloon

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...

397. Million dollar panel

The Bright Balloon

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...

395. Advocating for Balloons: The CRC's Mission

The Bright Balloon

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...

394. Using AI in your balloon business

The Bright Balloon

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...

392. Setting goals in a way that actually works

The Bright Balloon

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...

390. Annual audit & rebooking strategies

The Bright Balloon

In this episode, I’m talking about the importance of doing an annual audit for your balloon business. Analyzing past events, tracking potential repeat clients and setting goals for the upcoming year… it’s all included! Listen in for tips on: Using your calendar and CRM to find data. Focusing on repeatable events for future bookings. Manually tracking important details. Creating a simple rebooking workflow. Setting realistic sales goals based on past performance. In the UGlu Hotline, hear why I make cards for my installation kits. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Presenting...

388. Protecting your creativity

The Bright Balloon

What would you do if something you invented went viral? Like, 400 million views viral? Carolynn Hayman, the creator behind Conrad the Unicorn (America's favorite balloon costume) learned the hard way that when the internet blows up your work, everyone suddenly wants to copy it. In this episode she shares with us Conrad’s origin story and breaks down the real problem most creators never think about: protecting your intellectual property. How do you protect your creativity? Should you trademark? Carolynn shares all the details of her experience… what she wishes she knew sooner,...

386. The power of partnership in business

The Bright Balloon

In this episode (recorded live at the Sempertex International Balloon Convention), Jessica and Dae from The Balloon Club Co. share their journey of combining their individual balloon businesses into something new, together. They discuss the importance of trust and communication in their partnership, and the significance of setting boundaries to maintain work-life balance. They also share encouragement for getting past the fears of entrepreneurship. Key takeaways include: How trust is essential when going into business with someone. Why communication is key in partnerships. What things...

384. Your dream clients, and a simple website audit to attract them

The Bright Balloon

With Courtney of Courtney Lynette Creative Co. If you want to book better, not just more, this conversation with Courtney of Courtney Lynette Creative Co. breaks down how to realign your website and visuals so the right clients find (and choose) you. It’s easier than you think! We cover: A year-end review to define your 2026 “dream client” (what you loved, what you never want again) The quick-hit homepage audit: images, fonts, color palette, consistency Mobile-first essentials and broken-button checks Smarter contact forms Messaging cleanup so you don’t try to “serve...

382. From side hustle to storefront: why Jam opened a balloon shop

The Bright Balloon

In another episode curated by our friends at HI-FLOAT, and recorded live at the Sempertex International Balloon Convention, I’m chatting with Jam of Garden Place Balloons about his new brick and mortar shop, The Balloon Shop. If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of opening a balloon store, you’ll want to hear Jam’s story behind his pivot from focusing solely on custom installs to now offering smaller ticket items as well: the wins, the worries, and the money math. We cover: Why he shifted to helium, grab-and-go garlands, and personalized jumbos How Party City closures and customer...

More Episodes

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens at a balloon convention—or whether it’s worth the investment—this episode is for you.

I recorded this recap live from the Sempertex International Balloon Convention while the event was still in full swing. I share what the experience was like, how it compares to other conventions, and why I left feeling more energized than ever.

I talk about:

The new Sempertex color launch and matching decor
Why I loved the preset class schedules
What made the instructor lineup so unique
Vendor highlights (including latex dog toys!)
The MBP (Master Balloon Professional) certification process, now available in the U.S.
How it felt to be truly welcomed by the Sempertex team