The Bright Balloon

I think we're all guilty of the comparison trap at times - I know I certainly am. "Look how well they're doing already when I've been doing this for years" ... "There's no way I could ever make as many sales as them" ... "Why is it so easy for them and not me?" ...we've ALL been there!   So in this episode, I'll talk about six different areas of business where we tend to compare ourselves, and the...

This episode is unlike many episodes we've had before in that it is an honest conversation about the challenges we face as business owners. The pivots, the decisions, the long hours and the struggle... Amy and I talk about it all.   I really appreciate her candid comments about everything she's gone through in her business. From running a huge retail location, having employees on payroll, hitting...

You've probably heard me talk about automation before, and what a huge difference it's made in my business. Well, I like to think of batching as the root of automation. So in this episode, I'm covering 3 areas where I batch tasks in my balloon business, Wisconsin Balloon Decor.     From content, to inventory, to client communication... I'm sharing with you exactly how and when I batch each aspect....

This book by Denise Duffield-Thomas really connected with me. In fact, I love everything she puts out.    Not only do I love the business mindset she encourages, but the book has tons of practical tips (like what to say in awkward pricing conversations, for example). She also does such a good job of connecting your home life with your business life, which I find so unique, and so valuable as a sol...

Let's talk about something everyone has... a birthday! And in our industry, we appeal to practically everybody. We aren't limited by the age of our customers like some other niches are (flowers and coffee, for example).   So let's talk about four ways you can run birthday balloon promotions in your business (plus one way you shouldn't), all while staying profitable and not losing your mind trying...

I first met Jeff at Balloon Boss Summit, where he was one of my favorite instructors because he simply knows... his... stuff! In this episode, he dishes out tons of online marketing tips... from local SEO, to website formatting, to making it easier for your customers to contact you. I took a ton more notes from our chat while editing the episode!    And he knows the balloon decor community, too. H...

Today I'm talking about lead sources with my Digital Strategist, Nicole. She's giving us tips for not only how but why to track our lead sources (where our customers hear about our businesses).   It's a super straight-forward episode with action steps you can take today with the help of her free download.     TIMESTAMPS: 02:37 - how to set up your lead source collection method 05:04 - some basic o...

This episode is going to give you little tips to keep your goals at the front of your mind for the entire year - without using any brain power at all! Plus, I share an absolutely crazy story about a New Year's Eve balloon drop that only my fellow balloon people will truly understand.   TIMESTAMPS: 02:53 - My panic-inducing New Year's Eve balloon drop experience 08:23 - Wallet windows 10:55 - Scree...

This final episode of the year will actually walk you through the year end review process laid out in The Bright Balloon Business Planner... from how your business made you feel, to the numbers inside of your business, to how to use this information for next year.   I really believe that tracking your business stats is like the first step in achieving your business goals, because if you know your...

I came away from the Balloon Boss Summit so motivated about 2022, but didn't feel like I had a great way to track my goals and plans for the year. A lot of other planners I found were way too intense for what I was looking for, yet I knew I needed to get my goals in writing to keep me focused.   So I went for it and made my own planner that will help me not only set great goals, but figure out a p...

Back by popular demand, here's another laser-focused episode full of action steps you can take in your business today that will lift so much mental energy off your plate.   Overview: 02:25 Instagram saved responses 03:43 Canva content scheduler 05:47 Auto savings at your bank 09:15 Annual calendar reminders 10:36 Subscribe to your favorite podcasts   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Customizable Color Chart ...

Today we are talking about organization with the Queen herself, Lilly from the Creative Heart Studio. She explains her top tips to organizing your balloon studio and an exciting new product announcement! Follow Lilly Here: https://thecreativeheartstudio.com/ See photos of Lilly's workroom here: https://thecreativeheartstudio.com/blogs/projects/work-room-reveal Download your custom color chart here

*Apologies for the audio quality in this episode. Improvements coming soon and the interview is worth the listen!   In this episode, I talk with Erin of the Young and Wild Balloon Co. about how a custom color chart can help your balloon business run more smoothly.   We each use ours differently, too! Listen in to hear how we use them and how it has reduced stress in each of our businesses.   We al...

In this episode I chat with Nicole, my first hire, about what kinds of things you can do to improve your customer experience... that don't require more balloon skills.  And bonus - many of these suggestions free up your mental space, too! Listen in to hear our suggestions and what resources we have for you that can meet you wherever you're at in your business. TIMESTAMPS: 01:12 How Nicole and I me...

Based on the questions that I get most, this episode is a rapid fire listing of all the things I use to run my business, from website, to invoicing, to social media and even inventory.   I also offer up: - my favorite analogy for understanding how all the tech pieces work together - some food for thought on why you should consider implementing similar systems as your business grows - a hint at som...

The Bright Balloon is one year old!!! Today I'm recapping all of the ways my business has changed this past year thanks to the great guests on this podcast! Support the podcast on Patreon! Email me to get on our 17hats list: thebrightballoon@gmail.com Episode Mentions: Episode about hiring with Erin about hiring Episode with Ali about grab and go garlands Profit First All about my van Join me in B...

I asked my friends in Balloon Boss Mastermind what is one creative thing you keep in your toolkit...and their answers did not disappoint. I've literally purchased three of these items since recording this episode. Enjoy! Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in Balloon Boss Mastermind    More good stuff! Sign up for my email list  and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- ho...

This week I'm talking about what happened to my business when Facebook and Instagram were down all day...nothing. That's because I don't run my business ON those platforms, I use them to promote my business. Today I'm talking about the difference. Let me help you build a website with The Weekend Launch. This is only available until January 1st then I'm retiring the course forever! Get in touch: th...

This one is painful. I'm not going to lie- a CRM is a lot of work to set up, but you need one. If you want to streamline, this is the ultimate must have. I'm giving an overview of what my 17 hats does for me and I'm talking about first steps toward integrating a CRM into your business. More good stuff! Sign up for 17hats for free! Sign up for my email list  and I'll send you my balloon business Cl...

This week I'm talking about a calendar audit and how it can help you outline your entire year before it even starts! Keeping repeat business is so much more profitable than constantly marketing to new customers. Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in  at Balloon Boss Summit    More good stuff! Sign up for my email list  and I'll send you my balloon business Cliff's Notes- how I do my...

This week I'm talking about my lack of a cancellation policy and why I got very lucky during a string of cancellations this month! I'm encouraging you, and me, to rethink and plan our crystal clear cancellation policies going into 2022! Thanks to our show sponsor Balloon Coach: Join me in at Balloon Boss Summit    More good stuff! Sign up for my email list  and I'll send you my balloon business Cl...

Use the last quarter to set up all of your goals so you can hit the ground running at the start of the year! In this episode, I'm outlining " Profit First " and how it helped me figure out my cashflow. Read the book now, set up your accounts, and implement at the new year! Thanks to our show sponsor: Join me in  at Balloon Boss Summit    My Courses: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garla...

Joe is on the show! We are learning what is happening with the balloon shortage from a wholesale distributor! If you don't know Joe, you should! Check out their website here: https://havinaparty.com/ Check out their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/havin_a_party/?hl=en Thanks to our show sponsor: Join me in  at Balloon Boss Summit    My Courses: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic...

Joette is on the podcast! She and I are talking about setting yourself up for success, avoiding burnout, setting your limits as a business owner and how to manage the balloon shortage! It's a great episode filled with motivation and ideas! Join me in  at Balloon Boss Summit   to level up your business and check out the  Balloon Coach Tour Here !

Join us for part two with Ali is from Charming Garlands she's talking about her Grab and Go Garland model and it's awesome! Check out Charming Garlands here: https://www.charminggarlands.com/ Join me in  at Balloon Boss Summit   to level up your business! My Courses: Gorgeous Garland: Fast, Profitable Organic Garland My Pricing Sheet Template That You Can Customize!