The Bright Balloon
Welcome to The Bright Balloon, a podcast where Sara Meyer shares bright ideas for your balloon business! I want you to make more money, eliminate stress and learn along with me as we grow our creative businesses together! Welcome to The Bright Balloon
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265. Fearless growth | Maggie of Presley Paige
10/01/2024
265. Fearless growth | Maggie of Presley Paige
Have you seen the massive sorority balloon installs from Arkansas? Well this episode’s guest is Maggie of Presley Paige and she and her team are the ones behind so many of these mind-blowing jobs. She also has a retail store that you’ll hear about! I learned so much from this interview and know that you’ll pick up some gems as well. Her business actually started as a retail shop and over time they added balloon decor services because of all the customer requests. Hear about how she learned technique and why her team was so crucial as they grew quickly. Then we dive into the sorority installs that went viral for her in 2022. If you haven’t seen them, check out her Instagram to see entire mansions dripping with balloons! She also shares with us a really unique way that she was able to do these incredible installations for sororities with smaller budgets, plus how she uses them as marketing. Maggie goes on to share more about her corporate and private jobs, what actual tools they use for the huge installations, some additional things she’s started doing to help her manage bid day work and the amazing benefits she’s able to offer her team. But you’ve also gotta hear how she positioned herself to be debt-free from the get-go! Huge kudos to everything Maggie has done to dream, establish and build a very cool business. Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear a good tip for removing dashes when they’re feeling extra sticky. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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263. Her giving back era | Dori of Total Party
09/24/2024
263. Her giving back era | Dori of Total Party
In the final installment of our month of interviews curated by BalloonCoach.com, we’re hearing from Dori of Total Party. There’s a good chance that if you’ve been a part of any online training in our industry, you know Dori because she’s so generous with her knowledge and experience and she loves to learn! She tells us about the party business she had as a teenager and how her experience with project management in the corporate scene melded together to transition her into corporate events, which then led to Total Party. Hear about the niche she started with and how it’s since changed. Dori also shares some of the difficulties she had transitioning from being the event coordinator, to providing all of the decor herself, to then focusing solely on balloons. With my own personal experience in discontinuing services, I know how hard that can be so I was thankful she was willing to share her experience, too. We then chat about the benefits of being able to reach certain milestones in your business, what types of things can attract new customers, doing our best to practice work-life balance and the importance of being willing to ask for help or seek out solutions that are already available to us. It’s no surprise that this conversation with Dori was a total delight - she’s got so much to share! And in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for all the balloon stuffers! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | | | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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261. Jumping in head first | Sheena of Dream Big Balloons
09/17/2024
261. Jumping in head first | Sheena of Dream Big Balloons
In our third of curated interviews from The Balloon Coach, we’re hearing from Sheena of Dream Big Balloons. Sheena has done so much to take her business education into her own hands, and as you’ll hear, it was often before she felt “ready”. But wow, has it paid off! We’ll hear about how balloons brought joy back into her life, how she has more than 10x’ed her business from two years ago and many of the things that got her there… all the while juggling two other jobs and being a mom and wife. Some of those things included: In-person events Making relationships with other artists Hiring contractors for the business side of things And generally being a great student! She also tells us about her space, her help, her transportation, how she experiments with new ideas, the kind of marketing she does AND even her garland recipe that I personally believe totally stands out as one of the fullest-looking, signature styles. Then in the UGlu Hotline, we’ll hear a great tip for a water weight replacement. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | | | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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259. Building your business intentionally | Allyson of Pop Studio Balloons
09/10/2024
259. Building your business intentionally | Allyson of Pop Studio Balloons
This week we have another guest curated by BalloonCoach.com, and it’s Allyson from Pop Studio Balloons in Connecticut! She tells us all about how she started Pop Studio Balloons as a side hustle and has since taken herself and her husband full-time in the business. More importantly, though, she shares with us how they’ve intentionally built the business in a way that works for their life. Hear about her hilarious first “paid” customer, the first item she sold and how she quickly dialed back her offers so that she could focus on being great at the best-sellers. We also chat about our similar backgrounds in teaching, going to conventions as new balloon artists and of course how Balloon Boss Mastermind has helped our businesses, not just because of lots of help and advice, but mindset shifts as well. It was so fun to hear the details of Allyson’s business growth… everything from the transition from Covid drop offs to event installations, to her branding and process improvements, to earning repeat business through great customer service and experiences, to the tipping point that allowed her husband to join her full-time. Our conversation is lengthy, but jam-packed with so many things to learn from! Thank you Allyson! Then in the UGlu Hotline we get a tip for a good Amazon source! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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257. What I wish I knew | Joette of Balloon Coach
09/03/2024
257. What I wish I knew | Joette of Balloon Coach
In this first of four episodes sponsored by Balloon Coach in September, we hear from the Balloon Coach herself, Joette. We have an honest conversation about what she would have done differently knowing what she knows now. She’s actually one of the few in our industry who has purchased a balloon business, grew it and later sold it. So it’s very interesting to hear about all these phases of business that she’s experienced. We also chat about: Imposter syndrome Solopreneurship and teams Referral networks Business recommendations that stand the test of time Old designs becoming new again Email marketing Pricing and confidence Regrets & mistakes Then I ask for her opinion on what the best steps are to take a part-time, home-based business to full-time and $100k in sales. She offers equipment, staff and technology-related suggestions, according to a person’s situation and goals. It’s always a pleasure to have Joette on the show, and once again, it’s an episode packed full of good advice and encouragement. From the UGlu Hotline, we get an idea for sticking foils together. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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255. Publicity for your balloon business | Jordanne of Julep Publicity
08/27/2024
255. Publicity for your balloon business | Jordanne of Julep Publicity
We’ve never had an episode like this one! Jordanne from Julep Publicity comes on the show to tell us all about one marketing aspect I know almost nothing about. She talks about how publicity works, plus what actual resources we can explore to get other people to amplify our businesses. It gave me so many lightbulb moments! Jordanne breaks down for us how and where publicity fits in the umbrella of all things marketing. Then she expands upon all the ways publicity happens (media features, influencer collaborations, brand partnerships, etc.) and the credibility that comes along as a result. She offers tips about setting publicity goals, whether you’re reaching for just your local market or beyond. We talk about developing relationships with influencers, some ideas for getting the conversation going and she drops a great tip about getting an estimated cost for influencer services, too! The conversation was so eye-opening. Whether you’re going to try doing your own PR or work with an agency like Jordanne’s, you’re going to get so much information about how to best prepare for publicity and what exactly is involved! Then in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for buying and using bulk rubber bands. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | | | - - - - - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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253. #1 Etsy Seller | Chrissy of Blush Balloon Party Shop
08/20/2024
253. #1 Etsy Seller | Chrissy of Blush Balloon Party Shop
I met Chrissy at the 2023 Glow Retreat and think I can speak for everyone who was in the room when I say we were shocked at the scale of her business… she is the #1 Etsy seller for balloon garlands! She also does installations, has become almost a mini distributor and has a team by her side that she manages. As we get to talking you’ll hear how the same exact Pinterest image that was an inspiration for each of us so many years ago. Then Chrissy takes us through how that spun into the garland kits that have since made her the #1 seller in her category on Etsy. We’ll hear about her product photo shoots, her experience with retail, her team and how she got them, plus releasing control and even being ok with employees being the face of the business. Other things we talk about include: her biggest decisions along the way how she added installations onto her already successful Etsy shop her business analyst background and how it continues to serve her the Etsy market and trends her clusters and the math behind them how she can help you keep more control over your inventory how she and her installation team use 17hats I find Chrissy’s ownership style so unique and very fascinating! I’m so blown away by all she’s managing and there’s a ton to learn in this episode. Then in the UGlu Hotline, there’s a tip for getting your binder clips and clamps to blend in with your decor. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) (save 20% with code BRIGHT) | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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251. Photoshoots | Ifrah of Wowlloons
08/13/2024
251. Photoshoots | Ifrah of Wowlloons
Ifrah has made a big impact on my business over the past few months, specifically in terms of my branding and my website. So I knew I had to bring her on the show to share her photo shoot planning process! Before we dive in, we’ll hear about how Ifrah’s business blossomed to the point where she decided to leave her job she otherwise loved. She even hopes to return to it after she’s grown Wowlloons enough to take a step back and let others keep the business running. Then we dive into why she considers branding photo shoots to be so important for her business. She tells us what three outcomes she wants from each of them and the kind of impact they’ve made. I share how moving the “about me” piece of my website to a more visible spot, like she’s done, has helped people feel more connected with me right from the start. When we start chatting about product photo shoots, you’ll hear how she plans for trends, scale and best-sellers. We also dive pretty deep into the customer and ordering experience on the website. Hear about the background she opts for, what steps she took to decide which products belong on her website, how she turns her photos into content and where she got the inspiration. We also chat briefly about Instagram versus real life, and I’m guessing you’ll nod your head and get a little chuckle when you hear it! Then in the UGlu Hotline, we get a tip and a great example of why you should consider interacting with other local businesses. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - Balloon Business Magazine - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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249. Stolen business | Rachael of It’s Your Day Balloons
08/06/2024
249. Stolen business | Rachael of It’s Your Day Balloons
Today’s episode is about an unfortunate situation. Rachael of It’s Your Day Balloons had a vendor relationship go south and we hear what happened, why and how she was able to learn from the experience. I appreciate her coming on the show to tell her story and I know there is a lesson for us all in it. Before we dive into the relationship gone south, you’ll also get to hear how she transitioned into balloons from being a real estate agent and how that job has now become her side hustle! She also shared how she spent some time renting out furniture for events but has since discontinued many of those offerings. Then we dive into the hot topic… Rachael tells us how a new and budding partnership even turned into running promotions together, before suddenly she noticed her partner posting about more and more jobs with balloons that Rachael hadn’t done. Then came broken promises and undercutting prices. In the end, she swallowed the hard truth that things like this are sometimes just part of business - to which I can totally relate. She’s since moved on to work with a different vendor and offers some good thoughts for doing what you can to prevent negative situations like this from occurring, plus how to move on emotionally. I really appreciated Rachael’s openness and honesty about this whole scenario because things like this are hard to relive and share. And in the UGlu Hotline, we get a calendar-related tip for tracking your rental items! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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247. Strengthening your mindset | Jesy of Jesy Decorations
07/30/2024
247. Strengthening your mindset | Jesy of Jesy Decorations
You may know Jesy for the very cool way she combines her floral and balloon artistry. And in this episode, you’ll hear more about that creation process, plus mindset shifts, some tangible things you can do to reach your goals and how she’s fallen in love with teaching in our industry. Jesy offers a nice reminder that everyone has to start somewhere, and to not compare yourself to people at another stage of the journey, including the process of becoming an instructor! She shares how she first discovered there might be an avenue for her as instructor and how it’s since blossomed into a bilingual experience for her students. Then we dive into her passion for developing and strengthening a strong business owner mindset. She shares some of the practices she’s implemented that have made a big difference for her in both the big picture and day to day. When we talk about her signature arrangements, you’ll hear about the inspiration, how she worked with manufacturers and some of the ways the arrangements can be used. I find product invention and manufacturing a mysterious but really intriguing process so I loved hearing all about it! It was so fun to chat with Jesy and I know you’ll be uplifted from her positive outlook as well. In the UGlu Hotline this week, we’ll hear a good tip for removing UGlu dashes! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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245. MVP of my toolkit | Jeff of Clik-Clik Systems
07/23/2024
245. MVP of my toolkit | Jeff of Clik-Clik Systems
Jeff is one of the new owners of the company that creates the most valuable tool in my toolkit: my magnets! I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly at FLOAT and was happy that he could come on the show to tell us more about how he and his business partner made their way into the balloon community through Clik-Clik. I loved his openness and honesty and it was really a delightful conversation! You’ll get to hear a bit of surprising Clik-Clik history, how he and his business partner chose it over other businesses, where else you might see Clik-Clik out in the world and a bit about their plans for the future. You may also get a bit surprised to hear about the size of their team! I can tell that Jeff is here to support balloon decorators for the long haul. He emphasizes how the products are all about keeping us safe on the job while helping us look very professional. He tells us about who else has been a huge part of their success thus far and how they’re looking to make their products more accessible to a wider range of businesses and decorators. I’m looking forward to watching them grow! And in the UGlu Hotline, you’ll hear about a cool way to donate balloons! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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243. Warming your leads with a website | Courtney Of Courtney Lynette Creative Co
07/16/2024
243. Warming your leads with a website | Courtney Of Courtney Lynette Creative Co
Back by popular demand is Courtney of Courtney Lynette Creative Co! And this time, we’re chatting about her website services and how she can help your business take root with a permanent internet home that doesn’t rely on social media. Websites are her bread and butter service, and the event industry is her sweet spot. With a history working in events, she knows how to create websites that are fun and inviting while legitimizing your business and making it a place to store the kind of info your clients need. We talk about function, what should live on each page and how a good website can warm leads for you. Then, Courtney offers her opinion and a few reasons for why a business should not run on social media alone. Personally, I know that having my prices on my website helps me remember what I charge for certain items… and of course it’s a huge asset for my virtual assistant, too. To take it a step further, I’d also say that it gives me confidence to stay away from quoting things that aren’t part of my services page. This keeps me focused and streamlined. Part of my conversation with Courtney also touches on how much actual content belongs on a website (specifically regarding images of our work) and how this content should make it clear to your clients that you have the experience and skills they’re looking for. Lastly, you’ll hear about how you can work with Courtney for your website needs, what the services include and a little more about her personally! From the UGlu Hotline, there’s a nice tip for solopreneurs who want to record more videos. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - Brand Consistency | Courtney Of Courtney Lynette Creative Studios | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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241. Back to the basics
07/09/2024
241. Back to the basics
I’ve felt my business grow over the past couple of years, but there have also been some life changes that kind of made things feel a little out of whack. So in this episode, I share how I’m trimming the “fluff” and tuning up my business by going back to the basics! This process is actually inspired by my previous time as a 6th grade art teacher. So much of what we would cover was foundational principles. And I always found that without them, troubleshooting becomes much more difficult. So, I took this mindset and applied it to my garlands, framework, clutter, inventory, product offerings and finances. In some cases, I had introduced too many variables to the task. In others, I just didn’t even notice the buildup. And in one scenario, the changes were a little bit out of my control. Listen in to hear what changes I made to my recipes and offerings, the bags I use at install, what I’ve committed to never using again, some good advice I got about retraining and my next step in this process. So far, I now have less clutter, more efficiency, better consistency and more reliable profit margins. Plus, another resource for you! And from the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for always having your contact info readily available. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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239. Candid marquee thoughts | Travis of Squeak Balloon Decor
07/04/2024
239. Candid marquee thoughts | Travis of Squeak Balloon Decor
Travis and I purchased our marquee letters from the same vendor at about the same time, and in this episode we share our thoughts about the upsides and downsides of owning marquees. We start with all the good things about our marquees, including: How they help us land more corporate and convention jobs How they’re a good anchor for balloons & serve multiple decor purposes Why they’re an easy sale that can help you break even pretty quickly How you can actually charge per day for the rental That there’s no franchising involved How there’s virtually no prep time needed Then we cover the downsides with complete honesty. Here’s where this part of the conversation took us: The physical labor involved Electricity needs Transporting them Needing to return for pick up Troubleshooting on site Inventory tracking If you’re in the spot where you’re considering adding marquees to your offerings, this will be a good, honest episode for you to hear! And in the UGlu Hotline, we get some tips for transporting our framework so that it can be easily put back together onsite. Thank you to for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - Local networking with Travis Green
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238. Adding texture to our decor | Emily of The Party Method
07/02/2024
238. Adding texture to our decor | Emily of The Party Method
My guest in this episode is very familiar with the balloon industry and has become hugely helpful to me as I've needed graphic design elements in my business. Emily of The Party Method helps event decorators fulfill their customers' requests with custom backdrops and other printed products! In our chat you'll hear about Emily's background and how she was introduced to the balloon community. She also shares a bit of her experience with branding and what is included in her brand toolkit before we dive into her insanely robust pool of images that are available to match the themes we're decorating for. When we talk about the jobs we've worked on together, you'll hear how efficiently she and her third-party printer can get your orders in process. These products are such a great addition to our balloon decor... not only because of how well they print, but because they give that extra bit of texture to the display, too. And it doesn't stop there! Listen in to hear what kinds of digital and apparel assets she can provide as well. Emily has been a great partner of mine and I know she'll be able to help you, too. Then in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for the balloon stuffers! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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236. How I'm using AI
06/25/2024
236. How I'm using AI
I felt like we were overdue for an episode about AI, so in this one I'm sharing how I've used it, where to find it, and how it can help your business... including something that has been a total game-changer for me! To be honest, I kind of feel like AI is becoming a bit of a buzz word that doesn't always apply as advertised. What I consider real AI is a tool like Chat GPT - the one I use most often. I've started using it as my new search, and have enjoyed brainstorming with it and fine-tuning it to my style and personality. Listen in for the real time results when I ask Chat GPT how I can use AI in my balloon business! From that list, I share the specific ways I'm actively utilizing it: asking it how it can help me generating ideas and getting the ball rolling proofreading / re-writing emails to clients in a certain tone content creation Then at the end of the episode, I'm sharing about the idea I heard from Amy Porterfield to use AI when creating SOPs. Doing it has kind of blown my mind and just might blow your mind, too! It's made me excited to document more and more of my processes so they are finally out of my own head. I hope this episode has helped you understand what artificial intelligence can do and how it can impact your business! And in the UGlu Hotline, we have a tip for connecting tricky foils. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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234. Bringing designs to life | Alexis of Fanfaire
06/18/2024
234. Bringing designs to life | Alexis of Fanfaire
In this interview I'm chatting with Alexis, the founder of Fanfaire, about her new platform aimed to help us sell our balloon decor options by bringing designs to life. It was really exciting to learn about her product and how it came to be! You'll hear about her background in both tech and balloons, then she'll dive into Fanfaire's digital storefront and how it aims to be an end-to-end solution. She tells us about the color palette available, the level of customization the platform is capable of and what the client communication looks like. Then we also hear about how businesses control their pricing matrix in the platform and how it's transparent to the customer as they build their order. Finally, we wrap up with what the Fanfaire onboarding process actually looks like and how it can be incorporated into your existing website. And from the UGlu Hotline, there's a tip for transporting our framework! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list
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232. Doing business from the air | Karin of K & J Party Rentals
06/11/2024
232. Doing business from the air | Karin of K & J Party Rentals
Karin comes on the show to tell us about how she manages her balloon jobs, a large rental inventory and her flight attendant job... that she has no intention of leaving. I've loved Karin's spirit and energy since I met her at Balloon Wonderland, so it was so nice to have her on the show! Hear how the rental side of her business quickly led to balloons, which quickly grew into a sizable company that she and her partner run alongside their full-time jobs! We'll get to know how she strategically schedules her work, how she actually makes it all happen while spending so much time in the air and what they're planning for the future. We also get into the nitty gritty about tracking all the rental items, chat about industry events, hear about her Adopt a Grandmother campaign and of course touch on her amazing reels! Then in the UGlu Hotline, there's a nice tip for utilizing QR codes. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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230. Switching to S Corp | Elizabeth of Fiore Accounting & Tax Services
06/06/2024
230. Switching to S Corp | Elizabeth of Fiore Accounting & Tax Services
Let me tell you something... when you have a 5-digit tax bill at the end of the year - even after paying quarterly taxes - that is a really good time to lean on professionals to help you configure your financial setup! Today's guest, Elizabeth from Fiore Accounting & Tax Services, helped me do just that, and then some. Listen in for the details of: all the services their team provides what S Corp actually means how much I owed after 2022 how we changed my business to an S Corp election the advantages and disadvantages of S Corp payroll and Profit First as an S Corp who should consider making the switch as well how the decision depends on your individual circumstances, and even business goals I always love having Elizabeth on the show because she explains confusing financial matters so well. She and her team have been such a help to me over the years and I know that even if you're not considering S Corp status you'll get some great financial insights in this episode! And in the UGlu Hotline, we get a nice tip about blending your clamps and clips in with your decor. Thank you to for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - Profit First Revisited with Elizabeth Fiore - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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229. Ins and Outs of Retail | Ashley of Pink Flamingo Party Co
06/04/2024
229. Ins and Outs of Retail | Ashley of Pink Flamingo Party Co
A big thank you to my friend Ashley of Pink Flamingo Party Co. who came on the show for this episode all about the ins and outs of retail. This is something I know almost nothing about, so it was really insightful to get more details about not just retail, but also staffing, training and adding inventory. We will also hear how she fought the proposed balloon ban that happened in her state! The Pink Flamingo Party Co. started as a luxury retail shop and transitioned into offering DIY kits before also becoming event decorators. Ashley tells us how she finds and selects their stock, manages staff to cover both the store and the installation jobs, then offers some considerations for those thinking about opening their own retail shop. As we transition into chatting about hiring and the positions she has on her team, you'll hear how it's been a learning experience for her, what kinds of things she makes staffing decisions on and her approach towards non-compete agreements. Then, don't miss her story about what it was like to have the threat of a balloon ban in her state! You'll hear the specific actions she took and how she made her case to keep the industry alive in her local area. Plus in the UGlu Hotline, we've got another reminder to build community over competition. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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227. Increasing touch points
05/28/2024
227. Increasing touch points
Today I'm sharing with you a change that I never thought I would make in my business! I'm increasing the number of times I make contact with my customers, and I'll tell you how... what led to this decision... and why I think it's going to change my business. If you've been listening for a while you know that I am all about efficiency, so the idea of getting on the phone with more customers is a bit unusual for me. However, I'm feeling like bad customer service is almost everywhere you turn lately, so I want to be a refreshing surprise of great customer service when people contact me! One thing that has hugely helped free up some time and energy to do this is having a virtual assistant handle much of the sales for me. It's amazing, but does have me wanting to make my own connection with the customer before arriving at the event. I'll share with you exactly when and how I'm starting to do this, plus the other unexpected benefits that have come up since implementing these new touch points. They include: a phone call after each new booking a text before delivery confirming colors before inflation a casual call before the event that includes a possible upsell I'm also modifying a couple of touch points that I already had in place: the thank you after the event and the follow-up to rebook. Listen in to hear the specifics of what I'm doing and saying, and what inspired me to make these upgrades to my customer experience so that I can stand out by providing unparalleled customer service! From the UGlu Hotline, we get a tip about how to get quality balloons in a pinch for those last-minute parties. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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225. Tips from a high performing assistant | Heather of Confetti Castle
05/21/2024
225. Tips from a high performing assistant | Heather of Confetti Castle
This episode is a little different because I'm chatting with someone who works for a balloon company... but not the owner. Heather, who supports Tiffany at the Confetti Castle, comes on the show to give us some tips about keeping your assistants and employees happy while best utilizing their skills. We'll hear about the range of administrative duties she takes care of on any given day, and how doing some hands-on work first helped her feel comfortable with taking on more responsibility for Confetti Castle. When we move on to talk about what motivates her as an employee, we chat about the balance and boundaries needed when working with close friends... and how they can shift over time. Then Heather shares the types of things, which aren't necessarily money-related, that keep her happy in her role. Finally, we get some good tips for exactly how to start with the idea of hiring an assistant, including: creating a list of tasks you want to offload sharing the list in the interview process sharing information and access releasing control I hope this episode helps you gain some clarity and confidence in the idea of hiring some help if you know you need it! Then in the UGlu Hotline, there's a nice tip for utilizing rubber bands in our installations. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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223. A full refresh of my branding
05/14/2024
223. A full refresh of my branding
I recently did a job alongside a lighting and entertainment company who came in with such professional looking equipment that it had me evaluating my own branding. I realized that some things don't take a lot of time, money or energy to update... and I'm sharing those ideas in this episode! Of course this all starts with having a logo that you love. I was able to edit mine in Canva until it was the way I wanted it, but you can seek out logo designers for help as well. This was a hugely important step as I was getting ready to wrap my van. And I'll say, wrapping my van is and will probably always be the biggest and best branding investment I've made. If you're on the fence about it, I can't recommend it enough! Other items that I've branded or am now planning to update with my branding include: physical things like apparel, my apron, base plates, sand bags, marquees, inflator, extension cords and ladders printed things like business cards, custom thank you cards, postcards and bags digital things like my email signature, social media profile photos and catalog images I'm sharing what printing methods I'll be using, the vendors I recommend and more about who inspired me to make these branding upgrades... I'd love to hear which of your business assets you'll be branding next! And in the UGlu Hotline, we get a nice tip about removing UGlu dots. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - Deliveries & Pricing | Misti from Balloons by Misti - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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221. Moms panel
05/07/2024
221. Moms panel
It was such a treat to have 9 other moms on the show for this episode, where we talk about everything from juggling business, kids and in some cases, a separate full-time job; plus partner dynamics and even employing our children! These moms represented a pretty big range of years in business, number of kids and business plans... I know you'll connect with at least one. Some of the gems that came up were things like: hiring child care even if you're working from home how to manage business growth when your personal life might not be ready for it ways to pay employed children of various ages managing the "breadwinner" relationship with your partner deciding when it feels right to travel to conventions exit strategies and the most impactful one for me: swallowing your truth I hope this conversation helps to give you permission to make some changes or set some boundaries that you've been thinking about, so that you can have the best of both worlds. Thanks so much to all of our guests for sharing their stories! And in the UGlu Hotline, we're reminded of the benefits of community over competition. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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219. Balloon business support | Nicole of Let Nicole Help
05/02/2024
219. Balloon business support | Nicole of Let Nicole Help
This week's guest is a friend of mine who helps streamline our businesses, primarily through the platform that sponsors the podcast - 17hats. You're going to hear about the balloon events you may have seen her at in the last few months, plus a huge milestone she's hit in her business since she last came on the podcast! We also reminisce about how she got started in the balloon community back when we both worked the same full-time job, and you'll hear how she knew it was the place for her to stay. She'll share some ways that you can work with her, what the process looks like and an invitation to get ongoing support in 17hats. And in the UGlu Hotline, there's a tip for getting your foils to stick together. Thank you to for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - Cool CRM features of 17hats | Nicole of Let Nicole Help - Three ways you can stand out | Streamlining your customer experience - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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218. Your questions, answered
04/30/2024
218. Your questions, answered
This week I'm sharing what happened on Instagram when I asked business owners with less than 5 years experience to leave a question in the comments, and business owners with more than 5 years experience to drop in an answer. It was such a nice surprise to see how many people participated, and thank you to each and every one who did! There were a ton of great questions and great answers, including: what most successful businesses have in common getting in front of your own community instead of going viral on social media techniques that up-leveled your business and where they were learned taking care of your mental health as a business owner investing in a van and paying yourself if having a website is worth it what keeps you from not giving up when everything feels hard and so much more! I just love how this turned out, with people being so open not just with their questions, but with their knowledge and experience, too. There were more comments than I could read in the episode so feel free to find the reel on my Instagram and browse the comments to learn more! And in the UGlu Hotline, there's a tip for using rubber bands instead of 260s to be a little more cost effective. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - I Bought a Van!!!! - Retail dreams | Stephanie of Celebration Creations - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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216. Crowd-funded installations | Alexis of Lou Lou Balloons
04/23/2024
216. Crowd-funded installations | Alexis of Lou Lou Balloons
I just loved hearing from Alexis in this episode, as she shares with us how she's created crowd-funded balloon installation events for the Title I schools in and around her community! Listen in to hear how you can replicate the idea in your area and become a part of the Loons' for Littles program. Alexis takes us through: how you pitch the program to your clients, including timeline how it doesn't have to be money out of your pocket the creative and logistical freedom it comes with how it builds your portfolio ideas for recognizing the donors how good you will feel after installation! If this is something you'd like to offer in your community, reach out to Alexis on Instagram (below) for guidance on which of your area schools the Loons' for Littles program is meant to support. I can't wait to see this become a national event! Then in the UGlu Hotline, we have a nice little tip for transporting framework in SUVs. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) Alexis - - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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214. Balance and branding | Lamar of LaMarvelous Balloons
04/16/2024
214. Balance and branding | Lamar of LaMarvelous Balloons
I feel like this week's guest, Lamar, and I have such similar businesses. He comes on the show to chat about finding balance as a small business owner, giving classic and organic decor each their own due, and my favorite part... his knack for branding in every aspect of his business. We'll hear what great support he had when starting his business in college, we talk about the transition into balloons full time, (including all the transitions to the physical space of LaMarvelous Balloons over time) and then the challenges of further growth. Then we talk about moving between classic and organic decor and how they can actually be similar builds when you keep a couple of artistic principles in mind: color and balance. And I couldn't help but ask about his approach to branding. Hear about how he struggled with introducing himself as a balloon artist to eventually discovering that it was such a unique thing for him to embrace. I was also so inspired to hear about his fun naming process for his decor items! Plus, let's give a big congrats to him for celebrating 10 years in the balloon industry! Then in the UGlu Hotline, we get a neat little tip about using QR codes as business cards. RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) LaMarvelous Balloons on & - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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212. Fresh foil designs | Burst Party Co.
04/09/2024
212. Fresh foil designs | Burst Party Co.
It was so exciting to hear how today's guests Alissa, Rachel and Aimee came together with their different skill sets to create their own line of modern and fun specialty foils! They each have their own balloon decorating businesses but as they got to know each other in their local area they realized how a team approach to this fun new business would benefit them all. We'll hear about: the first foil that sparked the dream of Burst Party Co. how they found their manufacturer & how they distribute them the personality pieces that make their partnership go some of their best-selling and new designs more details about what it's like to run a product-based business Then towards the end of our conversation you'll also hear about some of the super creative ways these foils can be incorporated into your jobs to offer very trendy designs to your customers in ways that DIY people likely can't. I just know that you'll love hearing from these ladies about their endeavor and I hope that you'll consider supporting them as our fellow balloon artists! And in the UGlu Hotline, we get another excellent reminder to build community over competition! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) | - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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210. Posting a job and conducting an interview | Megan of North Shore Balloon Decor
04/04/2024
210. Posting a job and conducting an interview | Megan of North Shore Balloon Decor
Get your notepad ready for this episode, because Megan comes back on the show to share with us some amazing tips for posting jobs and interviewing potential staff members. We'll hear how she transitioned into balloon decor, what her team looks like, how she assigns tasks and how it all requires clear and upfront communication. Not only that, but she takes us through the nuts and bolts of how to actually start the process of hiring... including exactly where she posts her jobs and why. She shares when you can expect the most applications, what job titles tend to attract the most applicants and some other preparation tips for the process. Then I had to ask about the actual interviews, too! They always make me nervous, even as the interviewer. Megan delivers with her exact interview questions, the thought processes behind them, how she can read people's personalities based on how they tie a balloon AND another little test that took Facebook by storm not long ago! This conversation really opened my eyes to new hiring strategies and I hope it helped you feel more comfortable about the process, too! And in the UGlu Hotline, I share my thoughts on how many different services to offer customers. Thank you to for sponsoring our monthly "throwback" episode! RESOURCES MENTIONED: 17hats () (save 5% with code BRIGHT) (save 5% at Havin’ A Party with code BRIGHT) Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514 (save $10 with code BRIGHT) (save 20% with code WeLoveSara20) - Cold Outdoor Decor Tips with Megan Raysby - - - - | Join the Bright Balloon email list | |
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