The Bright Balloon

This 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-s...

This episode is a little bit different, but in a way that I think you're really going to enjoy. If you've ever felt confused about the brands that you're using in your business and wondering what's going on behind the scenes in the industry, you're not alone.  Most of us are just in our own businesses doing the work and not really sure what's happening in the bigger picture. But in this episode, I...

If you are someone who has either grown out of your home-based studio, or you don't even have a spot for a home-based studio, this episode is full of tips for you! I am talking with Heidy of Decor by Heidy about opening a brick and mortar store and some of the choices she made along the way that finally got her to her beautiful store located in Florida. She also shares a really smart idea about ou...

In this episode, we are talking about something I both love and deeply struggle with: organization.  If you're a creative entrepreneur, especially in the balloon world, you probably have a space full of color, sizes, bins, tools, samples, etc. (And let's be honest… at least one drawer of shame!)  So I invited Tammy to the show. She is a professional organizer who pivoted from interior design into...

This episode is a group panel discussion, and we're diving into something that I think is one of the biggest hidden struggles of running a balloon business: mental health.  As a decorator, no one really prepares you for the constant juggling, the inquiries that never stop, the pressure to perform, the comparison on Instagram, the late nights before installs and that creeping feeling of burnout tha...

In this episode, we are discussing the power of a product photo shoot. I went into a photo shoot with the goal of getting good photos… I had no idea how much it was going to revamp my entire business! It's a replay from the bonus channel, On The Bright Side, where I have 300+ more solo episodes. And it's so fun listening back because when I recorded this a year and a half ago, I hoped it would mak...

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 li...

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 selecte...

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 w...

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 fre...

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...

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...

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, asse...

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...

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 repea...

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 i...

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...

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 abou...

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 encourage...

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...

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 smalle...

If you've ever groaned at the thought of making another reel, this is the episode for you. Curated by our friends at HI-FLOAT (and recorded live at the Sempertex International Balloon Convention) in this episode, I'm chatting with Maggie of Pop Charlotte—a balloon pro who not only runs a large, successful business but actually enjoys doing her own social media. In this conversation, we cover: Why...

In this episode curated by our friends at HI-FLOAT I'm chatting with Victoria of Balloons by Victoria, and we're getting real about what it means to build a balloon business and hire help that supports your life—not the other way around. We cover: Why Victoria chose to stay home-based (and how she makes it work) How she got out of her own head and decided to hire help Her inflator and admin roles...

What's it really like to run a family manufacturing business in the balloon industry? In this special in-person episode recorded at the Sempertex International Balloon Convention, I sit down with Andrea and Aidan from HI-FLOAT—the powerhouse mother-daughter duo helping lead one of the most beloved brands in our space. We chat about: How HI-FLOAT started Why clearly defined roles are essential in a...

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 S...