The Bright Balloon

There are so many points in your business where it feels like you need to wait for permission to take the next step... to buy the van... to move out of your home location, etc.   But sometimes you just need to go for it! In this episode, Melody and I talk about the ways that just going for it and figuring things out along the way have helped us grow our businesses in ways we couldn't really have p...

In this episode I'm looking back on my attempt at the "red x month", and let me tell you... because I wasn't as busy, it gave me some time to really sit down and analyze how I felt about my business and what I wanted it to be.   Then I also suddenly realized that instead of a "red x month", I was actually implementing an approach I read about years ago, from one of my favorite authors. It didn't a...

We've all seen it all over Instagram. The creation of custom colors by double-stuffing balloons. But is it the right move for your business?   In this episode, Joette of ballooncoach.com and I discuss the ways that this can actually hurt your business. Is it eating your profit? What happens when a layer pops?   Listen in to hear about some things you should consider before double-stuffing, and som...

This is one of the most unique interviews we've had yet, because Kelly will be sharing with us how she's prepared to run two balloon businesses in two different states!   I really appreciate her transparency about this process and the value she places on the quality of life as a business owner.   We talk about adding staff, adding income streams, dealing with customers on their biggest days, busin...

This episode is back to the list-style format, where I'll walk you through 10 things you should double-check are listed and available on your website.   Some are more of a nice bonus than others, but are super easy to implement.   I really hope you find this list helpful and that any updates you make will mean more leads, smoother processes and more sales for your business!   And if you discover s...

It is so, so easy to fall into the trap of over serving by providing more balloons than your customer actually paid for. But the thing is, I think it's risky!   In this episode, I'll share with you 5 reasons why I think it's risky, plus 5 things you can do instead to over serve... and they won't take tons of money out of your pocket.   I'd love to hear if you're doing any of them already, or which...

I really wasn't sure what to expect for my first experience of a Big Balloon Build, and wow, I'll admit... working on such a massive crew was pretty challenging at times since I am so used to working on my own!   But Bee was sure to keep the end goal in mind throughout the build, which helped her bring a calm presence that was much needed.   In this interview Bee and I chat about what it's like to...

It's officially been a full year since I've made two huge changes in my business: having a shop and buying a van!   In this episode, I'm running through all of the ways these decisions have impacted my business... including the domino affects.   Plus, I'll let you know which one I'd recommend you go for first if you can!     TIMESTAMPS: 02:46 - the pros and cons of having a shop 07:58 - a domino a...

In this week's episode, I'm catching up with Joe from Havin' a Party and we are talking about business growth and what some artists are doing as they outgrow their home-based businesses.  Joe will even help you hand pick your inventory so your brand and style are represented in your own Balloon Bar. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Asset Lab   Havin' A Party Wholesale   ____________________________ The LASER...

Email marketing for my balloon business is always the thing that falls by the wayside... can you relate?   After feeling the relief of handing off email marketing for the podcast (then watching it grow in the way it has) I quickly knew I needed to find a similar solution for my balloon business.   And thanks to the help of some familiar podcast guests... we've made it happen!   In this week's epis...

It was such a complete privilege to interview Amanda Rae, COO of 17hats, for this episode! We talk about all things owning a business... customer service, mindset, mental clutter and growth. She also solves a current problem of mine in real time!   I always say, 17hats is my employee of the month, every month and this episode will let you in on why that's the case.    Even if you don't use the pla...

I've been hearing about the idea of "red x month" for a while now and have been wondering how and when I would be able to try it. Then when I noticed my July calendar was somewhat setting me up for the experiment, I knew I had to go for it!   In this episode, I'll walk you through: - what it is - how I'm implementing it - why I feel compelled to try it - what steps you can take to make one of your...

Alissa of Twee Partees actually runs her shop out of my hometown, so this episode was extra fun to record! We talk about her new pop-up retail space and all the plans she has for it... inventory, shop aesthetic and more.   But even if you run your business out of your home, listen in for some fun business-building ideas that come up in our conversation. I think we'd both love to hear if you go for...

It was so fun to chat with another super lean balloon business owner. Kelsey has so much to share about how she left corporate for balloons, how she provides customer service, her booking process, and yes, we even talk about her infamous TikTok moment in this episode!   She's always sharing such helpful tips on Instagram and this conversation was no different.      TIMESTAMPS: 06:20 - what Kelsey'...

I started offering Grab & Go Garlands after the initial interview with Ali of Charming Garlands (episode 48), and what a difference it has made to my business! I'm now able to help more customers and make more sales when I would have otherwise been booked out and unavailable.   Because they work so well, Ali and I have collaborated on a course, linked in the show notes, that will set you up to qui...

One of my pet peeves as a consumer is a lack of communication by service providers... don't be that service provider!   Even without a CRM, there are ways to save email or message templates that will help you move your decor requests along smoothly, while still being friendly and personal.   In this episode, I share five of my top-recommended templates... two of which often turn into sales!   Take...

When I started my balloon business six years ago, I had the hardest time figuring out how much things cost and what I should charge.   Eventually I discovered how much easier the whole pricing, quoting and invoicing process would become if I just put my prices out there for everyone to see.   In this episode, I'll share with you the six key reasons why I'm a huge fan of having your prices displaye...

In this episode, I'm talking with my bookkeeper, Elizabeth from Fiore Tax Services. She and her husband Joe are now Profit First Professionals so we are revisiting one of my favorite books, Profit First. If you haven't listened to episode 51 where I introduce Profit First, make sure to do that first! RESOURCES MENTIONED: BalloonCoach.com Havin' A Party Wholesale   ____________________________ The...

If you've been listening for a while, you know that I have a lot of thoughts about using Instagram for business. I love some aspects of it, but I recognize how draining it can become if you let it.   In this episode, I'll share with you how I honestly kind of stumbled upon a new strategy that has helped me book more repeat jobs - despite all of the turnover within the events industry.   Listen in...

I don't necessarily have a strong all-or-nothing approach to charity work, but I do have some strategies in place to help me stay aligned with both my values and my business goals.   In this episode, I'll share five ideas for how to work with charities, non-profits, schools, etc. when they ask for free decor. I'll let you know which one is my clear favorite, but no matter which one you try I stron...

Sometimes you're truly not available. Sometimes you just don't want to work with that client or color scheme. And sometimes you fear you're on the brink of burnout.   There are quite a few reasons why we might need to turn down a job, but saying no is often easier said than done.   In this episode I'll share with you some of the strategies and messaging I've put in place to confidently and gracefu...

Whether you're a 17hats user, you use another CRM or you simply want to learn more about what to look for in your first CRM, listen in to this episode jam-packed with automation and customization tips.    Nicole is the one who helped me refresh my 17hats account and she joins us again to share 7 of her favorite features of the platform.   After this chat, I've already gone back into my account and...

Make Time , by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, is FULL of amazing quick tips (82 of them!) that you can use and try to work towards more efficient and fulfilling days.   In this episode, I'll let you know some of the things from the book that stood out to me, as well as which strategies I'm going to start using in my business and life.   I like to think of Make Time like a recipe book -  I loved how...

Haley's adventure with balloons started when she added the service into her non-profit event planning, and as word spread about her skills, friends and family started reaching out for balloon requests.   Before she knew it, (and with a ton of confidence and savvy decisions) she became THE place in Spokane to provide balloons. Now, not only are her and her husband both self-employed, they've also g...

People commonly ask me how I find the time to run my balloon business by myself, alongside my full-time job. And while I used to just take it as a compliment and go on with my day, I began to realize that those comments and questions were rooted in burnout.   So I decided I wanted to share everything I know about running a business efficiently. The Laser Focused Solopreneur is a video course that...