If you’ve ever forgotten about a job, left your U-Haul door open when driving or gotten robbed at an installation… you’re going to relate to what Rachel shares in this episode! She and I talk about some of our worst installations to date and, more importantly, how we handled them and kept moving forward.

Even though the topic feels negative, Rachel and I couldn’t help but laugh our way through this episode as we commiserate in things that only balloon professionals would understand.

Before we dive into the hilarity, Rachel offers some tips for those managing their full-time jobs alongside their balloon business, including customer management, time management, boundaries and product offerings.

Then we get into it. Hear about her forgotten job and the absolute scramble to make it happen… tons of broken bases on her first 5-digit job… balloon bags flying across the highway… and stolen bags with hundreds of dollars of equipment inside.

I chime in with my related stories, too, and we wrap up by sharing some final thoughts about how to turn crazy things like these into learning opportunities.

I’m so grateful to Rachel for being willing to come on the show to talk about the kinds of mistakes that we all make… or almost certainly will make.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear about one of my favorite inventory tips to date!

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

@evansvilleballooncompany

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Gemar USA

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UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like working with and attracting high-end clients, this episode is for you! Chris of Balloon Design Studio shares with us how he goes after the big jobs, his pricing and more.

Before we get into those details, hear about his first balloon arch job he did in the sixth grade! He continued running his business through college, then eventually knew it was time to dive into his dream of doing balloons full-time.

Now, he loves tackling new design and installation challenges with mostly every job he does in New York City for his high-end clients. We’ll hear about his:

• networking approach
• branding plans
• marketing strategy
• why he wants to be known for having the highest prices
• when he hires extra hands
• and how / when he actually locks in these clients.

Then in the UGlu Hotline, hear why one listener suggests having everything in your shop on wheels.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

@balloondesignstudio

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Gemar USA

Stay Booked

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Glow Retreat Waitlist

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In this episode I’m learning from Tracy of Joyful Party Co. (formerly From Me 2 You Creations) about what it’s like to rebrand after being in business for almost 20 years. She shares with us everything that was involved in the process, including the financial impact it had.

Learn about the services her original business started with, how her initial run with balloons was stopped short, how eventually her balloon business was propelled forward and how many aspects are now part of Joyful Party Co.

Then we dig into the specifics of the rebrand. We’ll hear about what compelled her to go through the process, how it was stalled and how eventually she knew she had to do it. She also shares an awesome AI prompt that helped her fully develop Joyful Party Co.

Tracy goes on to mention how the rebrand impacted her banking, taxes, website and domains, social media, physical assets like shirts and signs, logins with distributors, etc… and how it was all worth it in the end.

And in the UGlu Hotline, hear one listener’s tip on what they wish they would have known earlier.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Ep. 207 - Family business and rebranding | Delloons

@joyfulparty.co

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Gemar USA

Stay Booked

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline!

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In this episode I’m sharing how I track my numbers so that I know what’s coming in and how I’m making my way towards my financial goal. Hear what keeps me focused, how I reverse-engineer all of my numbers to make a realistic plan and how I honed in on the exact type of customer I need to focus on.

Then I’ll talk through some of the main pieces of getting customers to rebook, what I’ve pulled back from automation and the surprising insight I’ve gotten thanks to my new tracking system. I wrap up by sharing how I move my money so that I’m able to count down to my goal with excitement.

This strategy eliminates so much financial stress for me and I’m so passionate about it! I hope that these tips and insights will help you set yourself up for success, too.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear about how one listener saves on her helium.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Gemar USA

Stay Booked

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Glow Retreat Waitlist

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On the Bright Side (Apple) On the Bright Side (Patreon)

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

If you struggle with standing out in a saturated market, this episode is for you! Our curated sponsor HiFloat chose Noeli of So Pretty Balloons to come on the show and talk about how she’s found a way to stand out in the crowded and very talented Miami market.

Before we get into those specifics, we’ll hear how she followed signals for what direction to take in her business. I find it so admirable how she’s let her business be fluid around her different seasons of life!

Then, hear how distorted flowers were the first element that drew attention to her work (despite her avoidance of learning the technique initially). Now, she’s known for the delicate and elegant embellishments that make So Pretty Balloons, and we’ll hear what those key elements are.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear how one listener earns business by interacting with other local businesses on social media.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: HiFloat

@soprettyballoons

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Stay Booked

2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Glow Retreat Waitlist

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The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In another curated episode by HiFloat, we’re reconnecting with Jam of Garden Place Balloons to hear how he’s pivoted away from the huge, luxurious installs and into deliveries… which have become the bread and butter of his business!

He’s still got local balloon friends who have been and continue to be a major support for him when the big jobs do come up, but we’ll hear more about this intentional adjustment he’s made based on the latest demand, as well as the mindset shift he needed to go along with.

Jam was kind enough to share specifics about what’s working and what’s not working with his new strategy - including actual product offerings, e-commerce effectiveness, pickups vs. deliveries, boundaries and what the new strategy has meant for his lifestyle.

Then of course we hear how the HiFloat products are essential to his business, too. I picked up quite a few little nuggets that I’m planning to integrate into my business after chatting with Jam and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

In the UGlu Hotline, hear about how one listener makes water weights.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: HiFloat

@gardenplaceballoons

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Stay Booked

2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Glow Retreat Waitlist

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@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube

In our first curated episode by HiFloat, we get to hear from the COO himself, Phillip… who is also a chemist! He shares with us some tips and tricks about using HiFloat and HiShine which I definitely didn’t know before having this conversation.

Learn how humidity, proper inflation size, transport bags and even 60/40 valves impact HiFloat performance. And for HiShine, Phillip has two big tips for using it properly, plus offers considerations for when to use the trigger sprayer versus the aerosol version. I also asked him to talk about the products’ safety for us when we use it.

Before we get into all of that, though, we’ll learn more about the HiFloat story, which is really neat, as well as some of the changes that have occurred in their 40-year history… including formula changes, the addition of HiShine and external impacts like the pandemic, manufacturer bankruptcy, helium pricing and Party City closing its doors.

It was a fascinating and fun conversation and I look forward to more guests hand-selected by HiFloat!

In the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for protecting any marquees you might be renting.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Presenting sponsor: 17hats (get 50% off your 1st year)

Curated Month by: HiFloat

Other sponsors & resources:

Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST)

Stay Booked

2025 Bright Balloon Business Planner

UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)

Call into the UGlu Hotline to ask a question or leave advice! (262) 221-8514

Balloon Boss Mastermind & Summit

Glow Retreat Waitlist

- - - -

Get bonus episodes

50 Ideas for Email Marketing | Join the Bright Balloon email list

Freeform Freedom | More courses

@thebrightballoon

The Bright Balloon on YouTube