435. Balloon artist to industry innovator
The Bright Balloon
Some people find one thing they're good at and settle in. Chris keeps building new roads. He’s a Sydney-based balloon business owner who's also the creator of Balloon Pro, a world-traveling organics teacher and a consultant and judge on the TV show Blow Up. In this episode we talk about how he went from balloon artist to industry innovator, and what that journey actually looked like up close. Chris shares why he treats every idea as something worth testing, and what his failures have taught him. He also gets into how he built a team he trusts enough to leave for five weeks while...
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434. How to build a balloon business you can actually leave
The Bright Balloon
Jill built the largest retail balloon shop in North America... then walked away from it on her own terms. If you have ever wondered how someone actually retires from a balloon business, this is the conversation. We get into why most retail shops go under, what "processed out" really means and a calendar trick that might change how you plan your entire year. Jill pulls back the curtain on what separates a retail shop that survives from one that sinks. And hint: it’s not talent. We talk about pricing like you are already in the store, the real cost of your first employee and why you cannot...
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433. The building-sized balloon install that took over a whole town
The Bright Balloon
What if a random idea at a balloon class turned into a full building-sized install that had an entire town stopping traffic to take photos? That's exactly what happened for Jodie of Pop by Posh Party Designs and Event Space. She pulled off a massive collaborative flamingo install in Leominster, Massachusetts, with 14 other balloon pros. Not only that, but she also scored two brand sponsorships, a free crane, donated meals and front-page press coverage. And in this episode, we hear all about it! It’s another great example of how local "competitors" can become your closest balloon besties, and...
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432. Give back without going broke; a marketing masterclass
The Bright Balloon
What if your next big marketing win came from a rainy day you almost skipped? Tashonda of The Balloon Parlor got her face on a Cincinnati city bus for free... then gave half the space away to her community. This episode is a masterclass in generous, low-cost marketing. Tashonda has been in business for about six years, works corporate and private events and sits on the board of her local Chamber of Commerce. She shares exactly how she won a free bus wrap through a holiday toy drive, why she filled that bus with other businesses and nonprofits instead of just herself and how those partnerships...
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431. The AI tricks every balloon pro should steal
The Bright Balloon
I'll be honest; I've spent months calling my ChatGPT dumb. It ignores me, promises spreadsheets it never makes and generally acts like it went to a different school than everyone else's. Then I talked to my friend Lenor... and realized the dummy in that situation might be me. In this episode I catch up with my longtime balloon buddy Lenor of Lights Camera Selfies / Elevate Your Skills, who runs balloons and photo booths out of Hollywood, Florida, and has quietly turned AI into her most reliable assistant. She's not a tech person shouting at you to optimize your life; she's a one-woman show who...
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430. What a 3-person partnership actually looks like
The Bright Balloon
What happens when a former social worker, a military veteran and their soul sister decide to go all-in on balloons? You get one of the most creative business models I've seen in a while. In this episode I'm sitting down with Heather and Brian from Soul Sisters Creations in Marysville, Ohio; just outside of Columbus. These two (plus their third partner Megan) went from doing nine events a week out of their house, to Balloonathon, to opening a storefront just two months after competing on a TV show called The Blox. We get into how they divide roles in a three-person partnership, why they...
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429. Free Money Hiding in Your Balloon Business
The Bright Balloon
Ever feel like you're leaving money on the table without even realizing it? In this episode, I'm breaking down eight ways I've found free money hiding in my balloon business; from credit card points to reusing balloons to rental items that practically print profit. Whether you're just getting started or you've been in the game for years, these strategies can help you squeeze more juice out of the work you're already doing. Some are as simple as making a return you've been putting off, and others could literally set your kids up for retirement. Let's find that free money! In the...
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428. Making self care a priority
The Bright Balloon
In this episode I am joined by Shelby who is the owner of Sunny Day Party Art and we are talking about self care and mental health. This was a great interview - a lot of relatable conversation, but also with helpful tips and practical strategies that Shelby is sharing… not as a therapist, but as a fellow balloon decorator, to deal with the stress that comes with this job. We talk about parenthood, asking for help, the pressure we all face and much more. It was a vulnerable conversation that I know so many will relate to. In the UGlu Hotline, hear one of the many advantages of making...
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426. From Party City to the World Series
The Bright Balloon
She went from making her first balloon mosaic with Party City balloons to decorating the Rogers Stadium for the World Series. And the strategy behind her growth? Simpler than you think. In this live episode from the International Balloon Convention, I sat down with Ana Karina of AK Balloons. She is originally from Venezuela, now based in Toronto, Canada, and came to the balloon industry from the corporate world as an accountant. After seven years in business, she now runs a balloon studio with a full team and counts major sports venues among her clients. In this episode, she shares how...
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425. 87 years of balloons and big values: the Sempertex story
The Bright Balloon
Ever wondered about the people behind the balloons you use every single day? This episode is one of those career-highlight conversations you don't want to miss. I sat down with Leo and Marcela of Sempertex at the Sempertex International Balloon Convention in Orlando. Leo is the CEO and Marcela, the VP of Sales and Marketing. We talk about the incredible 87-year history of this family-owned company; from Leo's Austrian grandfather founding it in Colombia in 1938 to the bold decision to focus exclusively on natural latex balloons. Leo and Marcela share how they hire for culture and values,...
info_outlineThis was such a fun and inspiring interview. If you've ever felt stuck “just” doing balloons… wondering what's next, how to grow and how to start saying yes to bigger, more creative opportunities… you’re going to love this conversation! I'm chatting with Lizeth and Oscar of Mom's Kloset.
They’re a husband and wife team based in Atlanta who started with a bag of balloons and have grown into full-scale fabrications and custom builds. I am such a huge fan of these two and what they create; honestly, I was fangirling during this interview.
We recorded live at the International Balloon Convention and we talk about:
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how they made the transition from balloons into full-on fabrication
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how they figure things out when they're doing something for the first time
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what they would actually recommend you start adding to your business if you want to grow outside of balloons.
It's one of those conversations that really pushes you to think bigger, but in a way that still feels doable. And a huge thank you to this month's presenting sponsor, Betallic!
In the UGlu Hotline, hear a fun tip about sharing scissors.
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