Balloon Business Owner: Strive for Progress not Perfection

Balloon Business Owner: Strive for Progress not Perfection

  What is the first thing that came to mind when you read those words? Did you think, “I am always going for perfection.” Or did you think, “I take action and don’t worry if things are not perfect.” As the owner of a business it is really easy to get in a rut, and not produce new options for our clients, or try new marketing as we wait to be perfect. Perfection is often used as an excuse, masking our fear of reaching out to a new market or creating a new service. Today as I write this blog it is May 2, 2020.   I realize that this message is more important for me to share than ever. March 13th was my last day of working at the Party People Events shop as the retail manager before working from home during stay safe at home due to Covid-19.  Our company is back to doing non-contact deliveries in Central Florida, but we are unsure when the retail shop will reopen. Over these weeks I have been hosting online meetings with my Balloon Boss Mastermind Members and open forums with other balloon professionals to make plans to not just survive but Thrive!  I have been interacting with balloon business owners that have never stopped working from the start of this pandemic.  They are in cities that allowed them to keep working and bringing joy to our clients during this scary time. I have also worked with many balloon pros who are now having to juggle a full time job, their balloon business and serving as the homeschool teacher for their kids will dealing with their spouse also working from home. In crazy times like these, it is easier than ever to make an excuse not to move forward if we let our brains make us think we have to do things perfectly to move forward. As I have been doing extra one to one sessions, I realize that so many need to hear this message. There is a NEW NORMAL. During what often is the busiest time of the year for large scale events, our industry (for those who are able to work due to City and State guidelines) have now pivoted to providing outdoor yard decor or non-contact delivery bouquet and gifts. Are you a person that is stuck on STOP or PAUSE mode because you are afraid to move forward as you are waiting to have the “perfect system”, “perfect product”, “perfect pricing”, “perfect marketing”? Example One of your balloon business goals – Write One Social Media Post a Day on Facebook to share the new services you are offering. Perfection Blocks:
  • I’m not a good writer
  • I don’t have a great photo of my non contact deliveries
  • I don’t think the balloon design is good enough to post
  • No one is going to read it anyway
  • I’m not creative
  • I don’t have many followers on social media
  • …and the list goes on and on
    Click here to access the free mini course  Spring Forward Challenge The Spring Forward Challenge is not a contest to compare yourself to others. The spring forward challenge is a start for you to focus on making progress in your business; to make your dreams and goals for growing a thriving balloon business reality. Choose to strive for Progress now, and stop letting perfection be your road block. Take Action THRIVE!  This is the mantra I started sharing in Orlando, November 2019 at our annual live workshop to help the 100 attendees at the event move forward in making their dreams reality.
  • Set your action plan this week: download the worksheets from the Spring Forward challenge, or my Mastermind Members download you Schedule to success.
  • Focus on the things that will bring you money if you are in need of cash flow
  • If you have been having stress, and not feeling well focus on task that bring you strength and energy
  • Surround yourself with positive people and a mentor to help you focus on progress
  • Set an accountability partner to push you to take action
When you take action steps forward in your business you are opening up the possibilities for growth.
  • Posting a photo on social media with a call to action to call our office, or fill out the contact form now has a chance to catch a perspective customer’s eye rather than not creating a post
  • Setting a pricing guide with the top 4 items you want to offer and prices allows for you to quote efficiently and make money
  • Create a balloon design you want to sell and take photo of it and share it online
  • Post on your balloon business facebook page or instagram account
I encourage you over the next week to look at the things that you may have been putting off completing or going after while you wait for perfection. Confidence grows by taking action, and learning from the experience. I’d like to share a bit of a personal journey with you on this concept and why it really spoke to me as a subject to share with you. It is easy to get caught in the trap of not doing something…waiting on perfection. I am so thankful that back in 2014 a dear friend, Pat Crossland asked me an important question of WHEN. She knew my dreams of starting a training program with an online platform to share the resources I wish were available back in 2003 when I started my full time journey in balloons. I had doubts and concerns about if what I was building would be perfect to fit the needs of others. Pat encouraged me to set a deadline and go for it. Balloon Coach was started in January of 2015! It took time to build out my online platform, we launched my first webinar program in September of 2015 with David Mahoney of Balloons Everyday as our first speaker.
When I hear the testimonies from clients around the world how our Balloon Boss Mastermind Group Coaching, webinars and hands on training  has helped motivate them,  given them the guidance and support for success, I understand more than ever the importance to Strive for Progress and not Perfection.  My programs were created to provide the information I wish I would of had in my life in 2003 when I started in the industry full time.   To save people time and money by having a path to reach success quicker. What have YOU been holding back from doing…waiting for Perfection?
If I had waited on Perfection to start Balloon Coach,  NONE of these resources would be here to support you in your journey! Do you ever feel alone on your balloon business journey? Spend hours, days or months looking for an answer on how to do something for your business and would love to find out that info quickly? Check out Balloon Boss Mastermind. It’s time to Strive for Progress not Perfection! See why our members say “it’s the best investment I have made in my balloon business” In Balloon Boss Mastermind you get access to
  • Schedule to success program for marketing your business, what I did to grow a home based business to $150,000 a year in sales.
  • Ongoing support and  insights now from my role as the Marketing Manager, and retail manager at Party People Events as our team did over $600,000 in sales in 2018 and again in 2019.    Growing a team can be scary, and is not easy but it allows for you to have time with your family and to enjoy life knowing your team is taking care of your clients.
  • Access to over $4,000 of online training and support for just $97 a month, coupon code currently set for just $47 for your first month to help you take the first step to moving forward with progress over perfection.
  • Training on how to create high profit decor.
  • Photos you can use as your own in marketing
  • Surround yourself with uplifting people
Whatever your DREAMS are, I look forward to supporting you as you create a Thriving Balloon Business! Write your action plan for this week now from the Spring forward challenge or balloon boss mastermind Schedule to success. Go take action to Strive for Progress not Perfection this week! Do one thing today that your future self will thank you for.  

Your Partner in Success,

Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker.

Create Your Thriving Balloon Business Balloon Boss Mastermind

Balloon Boss: Create What You Wish Existed

Create what you wish existed, Balloon Boss! In 2003 when I started in the balloon industry full time, there was no Facebook or Instagram. Sharing the amazing designs created by balloon professionals around the world did not exist. Our industry was growing, but not in the way it is today. It is exciting to see how our industry is growing and thriving, thanks to increased training available online and hands on.  I invested in hands-on training from the get go. Starting from traveling 3 hours from my home in Lakeland, Florida to traveling across the country to attend large conventions.  I would then share what I learned with my clients when I returned home to educate them on what is possible and increase my customer base and full time in come from creating balloon decor. Many times when clients call us they are going to ask for what they know – often times asking for quotes on helium arrangements or a column or arch they found online.   As a Balloon Professional I realized my job is to ask some more details and then create new solutions they may of never known existed.   A quote I often refer to is “we don’t know what we don’t know”. Today I share a quote from a Daily calendar Create What you Wish Existed: “We each have the power to create what we wish existed when we are clear on what we want, and why we want it.” It’s so easy for us to become discouraged if we are facing obstacles personally or in business. For those of you currently feeling overwhelmed, I want to give bit of encouragement today. This week Party People Events just opened up our new Balloon Showroom, in our expanded headquarters in Auburndale, Florida.  Balloon Boss, Johnathon Gerber expanded from a 2,100 sq foot warehouse space to now 5,000 square feet to make room for storage, inflation in the studio by the crew, and a retail showroom for walk in customers. Plus, he has added  a conference room to meet with clients. This space also will hold small group hands-on and behind the scenes business building training. As the marketing manager and past owner of Party People Events, it is exciting to see this growth first hand.   A business I once ran from my home at $150,000 in sales when I sold to Johnathon Gerber in 2015, is now at over $600,000 a year in sales.  I know first hand what is possible when working with a team to create a strong business. We each have the power to create what we wish existed when we are clear on what we want, and why we want it.
Business wise: Years ago I wanted to make a link hot air balloon for a client, but there were no instructions available. So I built one and made my first download for BalloonCoach.com on how to make it that now people from around the world have used to recreate the design. I created what I wished existed, by taking time to figure out the design. I made something for a client to EXCEED their expectations and now that client is a repeat client who has brought us many substantial new clients.
                               

Personally,

I have struggled with my weight since childhood. In 2018, I made a decision after my father passed away at 75, that I wanted to have a longer life than that. In 2 year,s have lost 96 pounds. I still have a continued weight loss journey, but a number that I used to think was impossible to shed is now gone! I feel so much better and have more energy to create amazing balloon decor and interact with our clients. My knees don’t hurt anymore climbing stairs and I don’t get out of breath like I used to. Create What you Wish Existed is a message I feel the need to share with you, my balloon family. I love hearing stories from those who take action from our BalloonCoach.com webinars, Balloon Boss Mastermind Group Coaching and training, and our unique hands on training in Florida to help you THRIVE personally and professionally.  Today know you do not have to travel the journey to make your dreams reality alone.  If I can make my dreams come true so can you!

The “secret sauce” to success is:

  • Mindset.   We Create the things we Believe to be true!
  • Surround yourself by Positive, motivated people!
  • Educate yourself on the things you do not know.
  • Take action daily to move forward no matter the obstacles you face
I encourage YOU today if you are currently facing an obstacle that may seem like you are STUCK.

Take time to write a plan:

  • Why is it that you are in the Balloon Industry?
  • What do you want to do to improve your life and others?
  • Create your action steps for growing your thriving balloon business, to help you reach those personal and professional goals.
If you would like support and training on your path to success email Joette@ballooncoach.com to schedule a 10 free 10 minute consultation to see what program would meet your current needs.
  Take one step forward today your future self will thank you for. Create what you wish existed! Your Partner in Success,           Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker. Join Balloon Boss Mastermind for Ongoing Support and Training Learn online 24/7 from anywhere in the world at BalloonCoach.com Email Joette@ballooncoach.com with any questions you may have.

Your Balloon Business: Prepared for Family or Medical Emergency?

Your Balloon Business: Prepared for Family or Medical Emergency?

(EDITOR NOTE: Medical emergency reference is not occuring at this moment. Being shared by Joette, from a previous experience) I’m typing this blog to you from a hospital surgical waiting room. My husband just had gallbladder surgery after being in the hospital for 6 days. One of the key things that came to mind: “Are you prepared for your clients to still be served, if you were in my shoes?” When I started in the balloon industry in 2003, for the first several years I did as much of the business as I humanly could on my own. Often, my husband and daughter became not-so-willing helpers, yet supporters of my business. They would work many evenings and weekends. Over time, I trained other people to work with me as needed and on days my husband had medical issues and would not be able to work.  I was thankful I had others who were trained and could pitch in. In January 2015, I sold my company to be able to work full time as Balloon Coach to support the balloon industry by creating new training opportunities for business owners. I still work as the Marketing Director and preparing to open a Retail showroom for Party People Events in Auburndale Florida. I’m thankful to be a team member now rather than the sole proprietor of the company. In May 2015, on a busy event day, the principal from my husband’s school called to let me know he was having a heart attack while teaching and to meet him at hospital. I got in my van and called Johnathan Gerber (owner of Party People Events)  to let him know the situation and that staff needed to grab supplies out of my vehicle, as I would not be at the events for that day. If I was the only worker for the event, I would have had to make a choice to either not be at the hospital for my husband or break two contracts and owe refunds to my clients. So, put yourself in my shoes.
  • What systems do you have in place to make sure your clients are served and money continues to be earned if you are not able to work?
  • What would happen if you were the one with the medical emergency?
  • Do you have someone who knows how to access your files?
  • Does anyone know how to contact clients and be able to create the balloons and set the decor or fill in if you are an entertainer?
If the answer is NO, here are some steps you can take to prepare:
  • Network with balloon professionals in your area that might be able to cover for you if needed
  • Have your recipes, directions to venue, contact info and all details set in writing or in computer system to easily be accessed
  • If you don’t have an employee yet, have family member or friend trained to know how to find this info to pass onto another balloon pro
  • Start the process of having a part time or full time staff member who could step in and take care of the event for you
  • Dream Big!! If the idea of having staff makes you nervous and you tend to be a bit of a “control freak” I encourage you to read the book The E-Myth Revisited. It has a great perspective on business and why many fail for not having business systems in place and share steps to put in place to grow.
Accidents and medical emergencies happen with no warning. Protect your business and clients by creating a plan now to be prepared. When I started in the industry full time in 2003 I had no idea that it was possible to create a thriving balloon business that could provide jobs for more than an income for the owner of the balloon business.  Over the years I have found that the balloon business owners that personally earn over $100,000 a year of income have a team to make that income a reality.   The balloon industry is a very physically demanding career, and time sensitive.   For some, stepping out and admitting we need help is tough with thoughts like, “if I want it done right, I have to do it myself” What I found over the years of coaching is those who have additional people working the balloon business with them from the start have a quicker growth rate and a reduced amount of burn out. Since originally sharing the Gallbladder story, my husband had 3 other hospital stays in less than a year.   Each time I’m in the hospital with Brian I feel blessed to now be a part of a team that is not dependent on me to pull off the events.  During my husbands most recent hospital stay Party People Events had one of our busiest weeks of the year. Team work makes the dream work. I encourage you to make a plan of who your support team can be for now and what you want it to look like in the future.  I share goal setting, marketing strategies, training and encouragement in my group coaching Balloon Boss Mastermind program.  I encourage you to try it out for a month and if it’s not the right fit you get a month of access to training from behind the scenes of a balloon business that does over a half a million dollar in sales a year.  For more information on building a strong foundation for your business join us in our group coaching and online training program Balloon Boss Mastermind  

Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker. Join Balloon Boss Mastermind

Ongoing support and training to grow a thriving balloon business!      

Grow Your Balloon Business: Sell What You Share

Grow Your Balloon Business: Sell What You Share

The balloon industry creates a very visual product. When people see what they like on social media, your website or in a brochure they will request the decor they are most attracted to. Many businesses have difficulty when starting out to have a portfolio of designs to grab attention of their target customers. A great way to gain photos of beautiful balloon work is to attend hands on training. Back in 2003 when I started in the balloon industry, we did not have the magic of social media to help the industry grow. Today,  brand new balloon businesses can jump into action and create decor that catches their clients eye and thrive quickly. A mantra I have been sharing for years is “We sell what we share”.   If there is a specific type of balloon decor you do not wish to create, then don’t share those designs on your website or social media.  For Party People Events we prefer to create decor that any of our staff members are able to assemble and deliver.   Classic decor, columns, arches, three foot balloons, three foots with lights, neon decor with lighting are our go to items.  Part of our team have the training and skills to make very detailed pieces of art, however those are much more time consuming and cannot be duplicated by every member of our team. One way to build your portfolio as you grow your thriving balloon business is to invest in online and in person training that gives you access to the knowledge of how to create eye catching decor and then practice those designs and get them out for your target client to see. I would like to introduce you to a company that has done just that. Meet Paul and Gayle of Balloons by Gayle, from Fort Myers, Florida.                 Gayle and I originally connected online through a Facebook group, and she attended the first Balloon Coach business building workshop in Orlando in 2016, Bridge the Gap to Success, then in October of 2017 brought her husband to Parade, Promotions & Profits. They returned again for Promotions & Profits Retreat Orlando 2018.  During the Balloon Coach Hands on Workshops we have professional photography taken for the alumni to use in their marketing when they return home so they can Sell what they Share. Leaving with the knowledge how to make the designs is a great accomplishment, and confidence to price for profit is a great combination for growth. Designs created at Promotions & Profits Retreat Orlando 2018             Designs created by Balloons by Gayle September 2019 inspired by what they learned at Promotions & Profits Retreat Orlando.                   Gayle how did you hear about Balloon Coach? I was a follower of Joette Meyers Giardina on facebook since 2014, she was my very first balloon friend.   I then saw a post of Balloon Coach a short time after teaching myself by watching YouTube.  I said “I need this”.  When I sawy you were holding Bridge the Gap to Success in Orlando in November of 2016, I talked to Paul about how I want do do balloons and decided to take the opportunity and start with some good teaching.   After I met Joette in person, I knew what I wanted and needed to do to grow a balloon business. How did you decide to have your husband Paul become a part of your balloon business? When the next Balloon Coach training came up in Florida, October of 2017,    Paul had been helping me with the framing and set up so I wanted him eot also touch the balloons so I decided he needed to come with me to Parade, Promotions & Profits Orlando.  He loved it so much and learned so much.  That is when we decided to push onto the next level of our business.   Promotions & Profits Retreat Orlando 2018 was when we really starting networking and just getting out into the community to promote Balloons By Gayle. Having two trained people is so much easier when you have to trouble shoot and run ideas and solutions off each other.  Now being married to your business partner can also be a challenge but in the end it is so worth it. What is the Purple Tie Ball and why did you provide decor for the event? The organization that holds the event is One Way Out Ministries, they help get women out of human trafficking and also drug rehabilitation.  This is an organization and mission I wish to support and have seen so many women grow and turn their lives around. How do you gain new customers through going to strike your events? With large scale events where I know there are a lot of people, I always like to make sure I have my Balloons by Gayle shirt on, arrive a bit early and stand outside with my Magpole which people get attracted to.  As people are leaving the event they notice my logo on my shirt and they come over to talk to me and ask me what services I provide. During the strike of the Purple Tie Ball I had six really good contacts, mostly event planners and other business owners come up to me and ask for my card.  I immediately booked two jobs and have put out multiple quotes from that one event.   Thank you Gayle for sharing your story, tips and hints with fellow Balloon Professionals to help our industry grow.  When people experience professional balloon decor they think of all the different events that they want to purchase it for.   One of my favorite quotes is, “We don’t know, what we don’t know.”   Most of our target clients have no idea how balloon decor done right can transform a venue into a memorable occasion and bring their event to life.  Creating opportunities for your target market to SEE what you can do in person and via photos is a top key to success.  Grow Your Balloon Business: Sell What You Share!!   So make sure you are sharing quality, high profit designs to grow your thriving balloon business! BalloonCoach.com online and in person training was created to help overwhelmed balloon artists create Thriving Balloon Businesses.  I share my personal experiences  working in the balloon industry full time since 2003,  along with training from the network of balloon professionals I have had the honor of learning from throughout the years. I invite you to become a part of our online community by starting with our facebook group Balloon Coach Community – where we focus on business building topics. Looking for ongoing online training and support I encourage you to join Balloon Boss Mastermind  If you would like to experience hands on learning first hand then email Joette@BalloonCoach.com to find out about the next hands on opportunity available to meet your needs.  Private and small group classes are available in Lakeland, Florida at the Balloon Coach workshop and Party People Events behind the scenes work shadow programs. Grow Your Balloon Business: Sell What You Share! Your Partner in Success, Joette Giardina, CBA Founder BalloonCoach.com Grow Your Thriving Balloon Business Join Balloon Boss Mastermind

Steps to Transition From Hobby to Balloon Business

Steps to Transition From Hobby to Balloon Business

Welcome to the wonderful world of balloons! One of the top questions I hear from those new to the industry as Balloon Coach is “how do I become a real business?” If you want to create income or already are getting paid for your services, take time RIGHT NOW and click the link below to read these important tips from the SBA! Small Business Administration is a great resource! Many people get so excited about creating the balloon decor and thrilled that people are willing to pay them for what they are doing, that they don’t take time to look into all the steps of creating the business! Many times local chapters of the SBA hold seminars and training to help you get started and connect you with local resources. Another great resource for local business mentors to get an understanding of the expectation of a business owner in your city and state is Score.org If you know what you would like your business name to be, I encourage you to go to Godaddy.com or another resource to search and see if the name you want to use is available as a .com. If you do .biz, .org etc then someone else already has your name as a .com and people may end up on their website rather than yours. Before you BUY the name, go to register your DBA and see if the name you want is already taken by someone else. More information on how to register is in the SBA link above! Other steps to take as you become a balloon business: *Business license *Resale License to buy balloons wholesale *Collect Sales tax and remit to the state monthly or quarterly depending on your sales and state laws *Liability Insurance *Possible Commercial insurance for your vehicle *Inflation Equipment *Purchase balloons and products from Balloon Wholesalers.     Check out this blog for those resources.   bc coaching works!If this process seems a bit much for you to take in and you would like help creating your business plan, marketing and a place to problem solve with other balloon professionals check out the resources to grow your business visit BalloonCoach.com, click on Mastermind to check our our group coaching program and online training giving you support from a Balloon Professional who has been in the industry full time since 2003. Contact me directly with any questions Joette@ballooncoach.com We can arrange one to one coaching if needed to go over your business strategy. Balloon Boss Mastermind gives you access to over $2,500 of online training at your finger tips 24/7  for just $97 a month.   Balloon Boss Mastermind members have a private discussion group to share tips, successes and problem solve situations! Plus our live Balloon Boss Mastermind call the 1st Monday of each month and continued support. If you don’t feel you need our group coaching support but would  like getting perspective from successful business around the world – Sign up now for our Webinars! BalloonCoach.com  at just $47 a month, while an active subscriber you get access to all the past replays since Sept 2015 from over 40 different instructors around the world sharing their tips and hints to help you save time and money as you grow your business.   To check out a FREE mini webinar on gaining schools as a client, click on this link for a 25 minute replay with some of my tips on Marketing to Schools. School Spirit, Homecoming and Prom No matter what stage you are in with your business, gaining insight from others who are in the balloon business allows you to get on the path to success quicker. I look forward to supporting you as you grow your Thriving Balloon Business! Your Partner in Success, Joette Signature 1         Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker. Take Your Business to New Heights! BalloonCoach.com Join our Facebook Group Balloon Coach Community  

Strive for Progress Not Perfection

balloon business progress

Strive for Progress Not Perfection

  What is the first thing that came to mind when you read those words? Did you think, “I am always going for perfection” Or did you think, “I take action and don’t worry if things are not perfect” As the owner of a business it is really easy to get in a rut, and not produce new options for our clients, or try new marketing as we wait to be perfect. Perfection is often used as an excuse, masking our fear of reaching out to a new market or creating a new service.   Example One of your balloon business goals – Write One Social Media Post a Day on Facebook Perfection Blocks:
  • I’m not a good writer
  • I don’t have a recent event photo to post
  • I don’t think the balloon design is good enough to post
  • No one is going to read it anyway
  • I’m not creative
  • I don’t have many followers on social media
  • and the list goes on and on
  I choose to strive for Progress! When I look at my business as something that evolves over time and is always getting better, I don’t get stuck in the perfection rut and instead keep moving forward. Putting out a Blog NOW on the schedule that I set is moving forward – I can always go back and make updates and improvements later. Posting a photo on social media with a call to action to call our office, or fill out the contact form now has a chance to catch a perspective customers eye rather than not creating a post. I encourage you over the next week to look at the things that you may of been putting off completing or going after while you wait for perfection. Take bold action today and make Progress!     I’d like to share a bit of a personal journey with you on this concept and why it really spoke to me as a subject to share with you. It is easy to get caught in the trap of not doing something…waiting on perfection. I am so thankful that back in 2014 a dear friend, Pat Crosland asked me an important question of WHEN. She knew my dreams of starting a training program with an online platform to share the resources I wish were available back in 2003 when I started my full time journey in balloons. I had doubts and concerns about if what I was building would be perfect to fit the needs of others, Pat encouraged me to set a deadline and go for it! Balloon Coach was started in January of 2015! It took time to build out my online platform, we launched my first webinar program in September of 2015 with David Mahoney of Balloons Everyday as our first speaker.
When I hear the testimonies from clients around the world how the webinars and training they have received from BalloonCoach.com programs have giving them guidance and support for success, I understand more than ever the importance to Strive for Progress and not Perfection. What have YOU been holding back from doing…waiting for Perfection? In September 2018 I launched Balloon Boss Mastermind group coaching program n celebration of 3 years of webinars. I have been blessed by learning so much from the guest speakers in our webinar program that have shared their tips and hints, successes and failures to allow you the opportunity to grow quicker and more efficiently by learning all the things that I wish I would of known in 2003.
If I had waited on Perfection to get started NONE of these resources would be here to support you in your journey! Do you ever feel alone on your balloon business journey? Spend hours, days or months looking for an answer on how to do something for your business and would love to find out that info quickly? Check out Balloon Boss Mastermind And see why many of our members say “it’s the best investment I have made in my balloon business” In Balloon Boss Mastermind I share a 9 week Schedule to success program for marketing your business, what I did to grow a home based business to $150,000 a year in sales. And insights now from my role as the Marketing Manager, and trainer at Party People Events as our team did over $600,000 in sales in 2018.    Growing a team can be scary, and is not easy but it allows for you to have time with your family and to enjoy life knowing your team is taking care of your clients. What ever your DREAMS are, I look forward to supporting you as you create a Thriving Balloon Business! Take 5 minutes and write down your goals for your business. Click here for a blog and free webinar to help you with goal setting.   Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey in the wonderful world of balloons! Go take action for PROGRESS not perfection!  

Your Partner in Success,

Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker.

Create a Thriving Balloon Business Balloon Boss Mastermind      

Balloon Business Owner – It’s Your Turn to Soar!

Balloon Business Owner – It’s Your Turn to Soar!

While viewing this beautiful fountain, I was reminded of one of my favorite sayings shared at our monthly Lakeland,  Florida  American Business Women’s Association meetings by past president,  Maria Mahoney. “She took the leap and built her wings on the way down.”   Maria, a business coach often spoke of how we as humans let fear stand in the way of going for our goals. When you look at your life and business right now, are you standing in your way of success? Are you fearful to take the next step to grow? Do you fear failure? Do you fear success? When I started in the balloon industry in 2003, I had no formal business training.  I was excited and scared all at once about my new adventure as the owner of Party People Celebration Company.   I surrounded myself with amazing people by attending training in the balloon industry to share with my clients the unlimited potential of balloons.   The support network I grew over the years, I now share through the Balloon Boss Mastermind Program with access to over $2,500 on online training learning from the success and struggles of business owners around the world! I stepped out in fear and grew my business and referral network locally through business organizations and training.  When I sold my business I was doing $150,000 a year in sales working from a warehouse in my backyard. Now as the Marketing Manager for Party People Events I get to experience the exciting dynamics of being a part of a team for a thriving balloon business now run by Johathon Gerber with over $600,000 a year in sales in 2018 in central Florida. I enjoy sharing tips for setting goals and marketing to help you grow! As a business coach for the balloon industry since January 2015, I have found that many of my clients and friends struggle with dreaming BIG, Believing in themselves and taking the action to transform their life and business due to limiting beliefs, and negativity in their life.  It’s much easier to listen to the negative Nancy sitting on our should saying “you can’t do that”, “people will never pay that much money where you live for balloons” or “you don’t have what it takes to be a successful business owner”. The first step to success is to Believe in yourself and seek out the knowledge and skills you do not currently possess to TRANSFORM your life to create the future you desire.  This lovely statue shared all those values and I felt chills seeing the JOY in the face of the girl in this sculpture as it’s the JOY I feel when I see a business owner JUMP out in fear and take the next step in their business.   As I write this blog, I am currently on a 9 state teaching tour across the United States.   On my way to teach in Seattle, Washington I made a short pit stop in Meridian, Idaho to see a lovely fountain created by Brian Keith on the recommendation of Amber Clark of Up Balloon Boutique in Walla Walla, Washington.    When I saw the sculpture I immediately thought of you, my balloon friends.  This wording is from the side of the fountain. NEW WINGS Can you see her flying about you? Do you hear her laughing?  Listen! Now, it’s your turn. Deep breath, as the swing pulls back… Whoosh! You’re off on your own adventure! Go ahead, fly high.  Maybe you’ll catch-up to her in the sky. “New Wings: tells the story of a child transformed by learning. Knowledge has helped her tap into her potential and she is changed. As she flies, she anticipates horizons filled with new wonders and opportunities.  Fearless and inspired, her face displays excitement as she boldly soars over higher.  Her eyes say it all; she knows the secret: Never stop learning. With these sculptures, bronze shapes an exuberant story of imagination and hope.  they are dedicated to the women and men of Idaho who teach. So now it is your turn – at the side of the fountain, they have a swing you can sit in to take your photo, close your eyes for a minute and see yourself sitting in that swing looking over the goals you have for your business and your life!   I encourage you today to write those goals down, then Take Action and grow your thriving balloons business. Are you unsure what step to take next to grow? Do you feel alone on your business journey and that those around you don’t know how to support and encourage you? Balloon Coach Programs were created for! Want ongoing support with someone cheering you on? Check out our Group Coaching Balloon Boss Mastermind online program to see if it would be a good fit for you! Balloon Business Owner – It’s Your Turn to Soar! I look forward to supporting you on your journey.   Your Partner in Success Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor.  Motivator. Speaker. Balloonbosspro.com

Tips for Balloon Boss Moms

Tips for Balloon Boss Moms

  From one balloon boss mom to another I want to commend you for going for your dreams! After my only child Marlee was born in 1999, I had a strong desire to work from home. My husband is a teacher in Florida, so that means I need to bring in income to help support our family expenses. I purchased Party People in Lakeland, Florida in 2003, when my daughter was 4 and I was burnt out as a Social Worker. Our home was transformed into a balloon making factory! My goal was to be “the perfect at home mom” with dinner ready for my husband in the evening when he got home and having lots of time to spend with my daughter creating a flexible schedule by working from home. I was looking at business ownership through rose colored glasses. The reality is that we ate a ton of fast food and more microwave meals than I care to admit. My daughter and husband worked the balloon business with me on evenings and weekends to help grow the company, and to be able to spend time with me they became my set up crew. At one point my husband stated, “I don’t remember ever asking to have a 2nd job!” Today I want to share a few tips with you that I have learned along the way to encourage you on your Balloon Boss Mom Journey Do you feel a strong passion to grow a thriving balloon business and love the feeling of being your own boss? I have found on my business journey that there are many twist and turns along the way but when I found my “tribe” of like minded balloon professionals, and surrounded myself with positive, successful people their support and encouragement helped me keep moving forward and overcome so many obstacles along the way.     Things our children learn from having a Balloon Boss Mom:
  • To go for their dreams
  • You can create any business you have a passion for
  • Work skills
  • How to talk to strangers
  • How to behave in public
  • Customer service
  • Money doesn’t grow on trees
  • Opportunities to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds
  • Value the work that goes into a special event
                Work Life Balance: The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. -Stephen Covey Each day we make difficult choices, as a Mom and Business owner we are juggling two full time jobs. Women tend to often neglect themselves and put everyone and everything else in front of self care. I know I sure have. Over the years of business ownership I gained more weight and ate drive through on a regular basis. In June 2019 I decided to finally take action on losing weight. As of the date of this article of have lost 75 pounds on my weight loss journey over 11 months. I still have much more to go on my “fit at 50” goal but it is exciting to feel good! My knees do not have the pain they use to and that is energizing! Whatever your personal goals are, I encourage you to take action now…You can’t pour from an empty cup. I was sleep deprived, nutrition deprived and felt burnt out. NOW I have so much more energy to make my dreams reality!                             Fill your cup FIRST!
  • According to the National Institutes of health 7-9 hours of quality sleep directly effects our mental and physical health making us more productive.
  • Feed your body healthy foods that nourish your body with vitamins and create the energy you need to run a business.
  • Feed your mind positive thoughts
  • Set a morning ritual of time focused on you.
  • Schedule exercise, stretching or other physical activity to keep you strong
  • Plan at least one vacation or “stay-cation” a year to rejuvenate
  • Create a vision board to see your dreams daily, and put the Law of Attraction to work for you to make your dreams reality.
                Fun times traveling in our Party People Van! Marlee’s smile reminds me why I work so hard to make my dreams reality. If you have the passion to have a Thriving Balloon Business, and to be an amazing mom, I encourage you that it is possible to have both. The more that you have written plans and objectives the more time you can create for your family. One KEY to Your Success is to know your WHY
  • What is your WHY? Why do you have a balloon business write those goals down
  • Who do you want to spend the most time with
  • Set a schedule of Work time and Family time
  • Create a support team to help you make these dreams reality
  • Take action daily to THRIVE in all areas of your life.
  Marlee, Joette, Brian Rockstar Party WBC 2014 Denver Colorado     I made a lot of of decisions over the years between family time and serving my clients. The passion to have a thriving balloon business sometimes comes at a cost of less time with your family. Each of us have different personal, family and financial goals. For me, the key to making those dreams reality has been writing my goals, creating a vision board, and taking action daily to make those dreams reality.                 Marlee and my assistant Jen checking people into my first Orlando hands on event November 2016 Bridge the Gap to Success. Through these experiences Marlee has seen what it is like to be a part of a team, watch balloon business owners write their goals down and go for their dreams. In 2015 I took a leap of faith and sold Party People “my baby of 12 years” to Johnathon Gerber, I now serve as the part time Marketing Manager for Party People to have my full attention on creating online and in person training and resources for the balloon industry through BalloonCoach.com.                       It is exciting to see my daughter grow into a young adult, and now serve as one of my biggest cheerleaders. Proud mom moments that came through owning my balloon business include my daughter as an elementary student shaking hands with the Mayor of Lakeland and my Chamber ribbon cutting event and confidently introducing herself. The photo above is Marlee’s boyfriend Stephen, Marlee, my husband of 25 years Brian and I at BalloonCoach.com Promotions & Profits Retreat Orlando 2018 dinner. At this event Marlee had some great conversations with participants of the workshop talking about her goals for the future, she got her spark and registered for Aesthetician and skin care program. I am so blessed by the amazing men and women in the balloon industry that serve as my support system and that have been an active part of my family’s life. If you are in need of a support team of Business owners to help you make your dreams reality – check out our group coaching program Balloon Boss Mastermind   Your Partner in Success, Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker. BalloonCoach.com Balloon Boss Mastermind access to over $2,500 of training and support at your finger tips 24/7 Looking forward to June and July on the road across the USA! I would love to meet you at one of the classes check out Summer LIVE tour 2019 of 9 Cities!                     Tips for Balloon Boss Moms

Balloon Business Owners, Are Your Clients Finding You Online?

Balloon Business Owners, Are Your Clients Finding You Online?

Consumers now spend more than five hours a day on their smartphones. Up to 70% of web traffic happens on a mobile device. 75 % of emails are viewed from a phone, and 25 % from a desktop or laptop.   Why is this important for you as a balloon business owner?
  • When people are searching online for balloons, is it easy for them to know how to order from you?
  • Do they see how to order their balloon decor or entertainment package from you quickly, or lose interest searching for what they are looking for?
  • Do you do a regular check of your online platforms to make sure all needed information is up to date?
In our Facebook group Balloon Coach Community that is set up to help balloon business owners have support in growing their business, you can download the checklist that is reviewed in the free webinar below. You will find in the group files Social Media Website checklist Click here for a free webinar reviewing tips for the Social Media Checklist Social Media and website checklist free webinar Google is the way that people look for services. Taking time to make sure your have a strong online presence is a key for faster growth. Make time in your schedule this week to do the full review of your online presence to enhance the experience for your clients allowing people to be able to find you when they need you! If you would like more help making sure clients are finding you online check out the webinar replay from Brandon Turpin How to Find New Customers Online Starting Today! You can purchase the replay on it’s own, if you were not a member or our Passport to Success program when it aired. The best value in online training in the balloon industry is the Balloon Boss Mastermind Program gaining access to over $2,500 of online training and support, including webinars from dozens of Balloon Professionals from around the world! Are there other topics you would like support in growing your thriving balloon business? Email Joette@ballooncoach.com to share the areas you need support in.   Your Partner in Success,   Joette Giardina, CBA BalloonCoach.com Balloon Boss Mastermind access to over $2,500 of training and support at your finger tips 24/7 Looking forward to June and July on the road across the USA! I would love to meet you at one of the classes check out Summer LIVE tour 2019 of 9 Cities!

Proper Use of Photos to Market Your Balloon Business

Proper Use of Photos to Market Your Balloon Business

  “We SELL what we SHARE” is a motto I often say to my Balloon Boss Mastermind and coaching clients. The question I then get is, “What photos can I use to market with, until I have photos of my own work?” Great question. So, today I want to share some tips and hints to help you through this process.   #1 The faster you build your own portfolio of photos of your work, the more your client will be able to see YOUR style and get what they expect when you deliver. If your website and social media is full of stock images and photos taken from other balloon professionals websites or Google searches, your client might be asking for a refund when the work you do for them looks nothing like the photo. (If you have not practiced or trained in how to do the correct framing. proportions etc.) Not everyone has the natural talent to be able to look at a photo and recreate the correct framing, proportions, harmony and balance that someone else created in a design. As you build your portfolio of your own balloon work, your style will start to show! Plus, you will have photos that people can connect with that are from the local venues that you service. People love seeing photos of balloons in the space they are holding their event at in order to see what balloons look like in that space. When you are taking photos of your balloon designs have a mix of photos of the balloons on their own and photos of people with the balloons. People in the photos with your balloon designs brings emotion to the photo and helps people have a personal connection and more of a desire to have the balloons for their event.     Ways to build your balloon photo portfolio
  • Attend hands on training that allows you to build decor and have photos of what you created. Capturing both photos of the balloons on their own and of YOU and other people with the photos brings emotion to the photos and people really connect with that.
  • Purchase professional quality balloons and practice / create designs you want to sell, take photos in a nice setting like a lovely home, a local venue a place where people hold events. Then use the practice piece to market your business giving it to a target referral partner or target client.
  • Participate in or organize a Style Photo shoot with other event vendors in your area that you would like to work with on a regular basis.
  • When you use stock images or images you purchase online, over time when you create your own designs from those inspiration pieces then replace the post with your designs.
  • Use clip art images for items you do not have actual photos of yet, sell the job, take photo of the decor piece and now – you have grown YOUR personal library of decor.
  • Share inspiration photos with your potential customers in an email stating, “This was created by my friend Joette in Florida and I would love to re-create this design for you. (never post photos of other companies work on your website or social media without the proper credit or permission – more info on this below)
  These are photos created from the Style photo shoot at Promotions & Profits Retreat Orlando 2018 Part of attending the retreat is that Alumni are given access to the professional photography to watermark and use in their marketing. So many times when we are on event locations it is tough to get good photos of our balloons because there are so many people in the room setting up the event, and the room might not be fully set when it’s time for you to leave. That is one of the reasons we do the professional photography of the balloon decor created at Promotions & Profits events.   Creating your own style shoot in venues you wish to work at is another way to capture these type of photos to market your business with.               One way to make sure people know the photos are of your work is by watermarking your balloon photos. I was the owner of Party People from 2003 to 2015 and now serve as the marketing director (so I can devote my full main attention to BalloonCoach.com while staying active in a growing balloon business) For years I wrote a blog and had my website and was happy to just have the photos up and showing my clients what I created and did not take the time to watermark my photos. The photo below was posted on my Party People Blog without a watermark and has been shared around the world and blogged about by event planners and more. In some of the blogs someone else had put their watermark on the photo, claiming it at their work! LESSON LEARNED! If I want to have credit for my photos, and make the most out of the power of social media sharing photos putting a watermark on the photos is wise. (since starting BalloonCoach.com I have given permission to my Balloon Boss Mastermind and One to One coaching clients to use this photo in their marketing) Some will place their watermark all the way across the image of the photo making it harder for people with tech skills to remove your watermark and put theirs on. I personally do not like that look so I keep my watermark typically a bit smaller and in the photo and not across the entire piece. More like a signature. Part of my role as marketing manager now for Party People Events is I watermark the photos from the events before I post them on social media. I like to use PicMonkey.com as it can be used easily on my computer or phone app to add in the watermark or other wording. Other programs you can use are Canva and iwatermark.  

  In our industry from time to time you will find a company that has taken your photos without permission and used them on their website, blog or social media without credit etc. If you wish to have them remove your photos here are some steps you can take, given by one of our Promotions & Profits Instructors.   PROFESSIONAL ETHICS in using balloon photos of others work! Just because you see someones balloon photos on their Facebook or website does not mean it is OK for you to download that photo and use it on your website or Facebook page! I repeat…just because it’s on the internet does not mean it’s up for you to use it without permission! A few tips to keep from getting a letter from a Balloon Professionals Legal team:
  • Do not use balloon photos from another balloon company on your website.
  • When you want to share a photo on social media of a design you would love to do – SHARE that photo with a comment “I love this design created by Party People Events, I would LOVE to recreate a neon event for a lucky client here in __________. Make it Clear in the post who’s work it is.
  • If you have photos on your website of other companies work without permission to do so, make those edits NOW! Remove the photos from your website that you do not have permission to use. There are stock photos available from some manufactures, or ones you can purchase online or by attending trainings like Promotions & Profits Retreat etc.
  • If your social media post on facebook or instagram is full of other peoples work – go back into the post and edit them and give credit to the creator of the photo.
Our industry is small and overall very friendly and helpful. Respect our industry and your fellow balloon professionals by running your company in an ethical manner. Having support of fellow balloon professionals can help you grow your business with referrals and sharing ideas in professional groups and training.   Tips from Brandon Turpin Steps to take if someone is using your photos without permission. Brandon is the owner of Utah Balloon Creations and BalloonSuite.com Steps to take if someone is using your photo. 1. Contact the owner of the company and let them know they are using your photo and ask them to take it down. If you are not able to find contact information for the company. You can do a search for who owns the domain name. There are many websites you can search this information. A popular one is https://www.godaddy.com/whois. You can go here and enter the domain name of the website to find the contact information of the person that owns the domain name. There are 2 types of domain registrations. a. Public Domain Registration – Contact information for the domain is public b. Private Domain Registration – Owner of the domain name pays for private registration through the company they host with. Instead of the owners contact information it shows the contact information of the company that registered the domain name. 2. If they do not remove the image per your request, you can send them a cease-and-desist letter. There are many templates online, but this is a good one http://www.copyrightsafeguard.com/copyright-basics/downloads/sample-cease-and-desist-letter.docx 3. If you contact them and they do not listen, you can’t find valid contact information, or the domain is privately registered. You can contact the company that is hosting the website and ask them to remove the image. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) lets you submit a request to any us based hosting company to remove the domain name. Hosting companies take these requests very serious. If you were to submit an official request to them and they did not take it down, they could then be held liable for damages. While you might not have damages for an image, many people will. When I worked for Bluehost.com for 5 years, any time we had a copyright complaint, we would shut down the whole account for the website until the person proved they removed it. Some companies will just remove the image and notify the customer, but hosting companies are generally good at helping get it removed. a. To figure out who is hosting it, on the same who is search result. There will be a section for domain nameservers. These are the servers of the company that hosts the website. It is how a browser knows where the files are located. Generally, the nameservers are something like. ns1.hostingcompany.com ns2.hostingcompany.com There are generally 2-4 nameservers, but they are generally all for the same company. Just backup names in case the first does not work. Remove the first part before the . and try visiting that website to get the hosting providers contact information. So in this instance we would drop the ns1 and just go do www.hostingcompany.com. Remember if the hosting company is not in the US, you can still contact them and ask since other countries have similar laws, but the DMCA would not apply to them.   Form to submit to the hosting company http://www.copyrightsafeguard.com/copyright-basics/downloads/sample-DMCA-take-down-letter.docx b. What is a hosting company? There are 2 companies needed to have a website. A company to register the ownership of the domain name. And a company to host or store your website files to be accessed when someone visits your website. Often the same company does both, but you need a domain name, and hosting where the files are stored. c. Remember that hosting companies will probably make you prove the image is yours. The easiest way to do this is watermark your images in an area that can not be easily remove or cropped. i. Do not place images on the edges. The image is easily cropped, and your watermark is gone. ii. Do not place it on solid or simple backgrounds. Anyone with a little photoshop experience can easily remove a watermark if the background is solid or simple. Having the watermark over a part of the image that has a lot going in the background will make it harder to remove it. iii. A good idea is to place the watermark over the actual object in the image. If it is a balloon arch, have it over the balloon arch. It will be hard to remove and easy to see if they did. Remember if the image is in an area that is important to give it transparency, so it is semi transparent. That will allow the object to still show through the watermark, so you are not covering up too much.     I hope that you find this information helpful as you grow your thriving balloon business! If you have other topics you would like more information on to grow your balloon business connect with me on Facebook in Balloon Coach Community Your Partner in Success, Joette Signature 1           Joette Giardina, CBA Mentor. Motivator. Speaker. Create a Thriving Balloon Business! Balloon Boss Mastermind