It's our turn to celebrate this year as we reach 10 years of trading. Has it gone fast ? You bet! Starting a business in the year the economy crashed was a true test of determination and confidence. Attending various industry courses learning trade techniques and meeting other self employed people really helped to pitch where the business was heading from a very early stage.
It has not been easy, small independents don't have the luxury of big advertising budgets and endless capital to keep ploughing into staff and premises. From day one, it was lots of driving around to shops, hotels, networking events and strategic parking with the business vehicle around busy area's & supermarket car parks to get noticed (with plenty of business cards ready to hand out).
Getting started takes discipline, focus, confidence and of course money! It's not cheap setting up even the smallest of businesses can easily chomp through thousands just buying the basics such as inflation equipment, tools of the trade, suitable vehicle & stock. Becoming a member of a reputable trade organisation, ensures your clients that you are industry trained and committed to a high level of skill aswel as having the correct trade insurance to enable access to many venue's. Over the years, dealing with DIY disasters getting the last minute despair call from the Bride to be or a birthday boy on the day of the party begging for help because they have purchased cheap products off the internet and had a great vision how they would do all the decor themselves on the day & someone promised to help but didn't turn up...and guess what...they burst the balloons, couldn't buy enough high grade helium and no one has turned up to help! Not the memories you had in mind eh?
Also seeing the "part time" decorators....just "week end" basics to earn a bit of money. These individuals are very rarely trained, insured and have professional equipment to produce professional results as they don't want to spend out and they are working out of their front room! They offer "Cheap" decor as there is no value in what they offer and you have no peace of mind if they don't turn up or you sent them a photo off pintrest and they have delivered something that looks nothing like it! The same with some card shops, cheap (basic) balloons, hoping for a high turnover without the care, skill and creative detail.
There is a reason professional balloon decor has a value, it is not just the cost of offering a massive range of professional grade materials you are buying, it is the person who has invested years and years into themselves to ensure you remember your event for all the right reasons.
I always wonder why some people buy the cheapest part of the decor (latex balloons) and then ring up a business to ask if you can decorate a venue with them for pennies?! Would you go to the supermarket and purchase a load of food then ring up a restaurant and ask them to cook you a meal with your ingredients ???
The industry has changed a lot over the last few years, helium shortages caused massive price increases, higher VAT & raised import duties of raw materials continually push up basic running costs, fuel, tax & insurance price hikes...all continue to pressure independent businesses. Well, we are still here and still as enthusiastic as ever about the future in balloon decor for Blissful Balloons.
We have seen our business grow year upon year due to the fact that Melissa Johnson has integrity, determination and pride in everything she does. 100% perfectionist with a sprinkling of OCD is what produces a professional and experienced finished decor plan every time.
Here's to another 10 years! Thank you to all our clients past, present and future for showing your appreciation and choosing Blissful Balloons, Celebrate in style with peace of mind has been our strap line from the beginning and will stay with us xx
It has not been easy, small independents don't have the luxury of big advertising budgets and endless capital to keep ploughing into staff and premises. From day one, it was lots of driving around to shops, hotels, networking events and strategic parking with the business vehicle around busy area's & supermarket car parks to get noticed (with plenty of business cards ready to hand out).
Getting started takes discipline, focus, confidence and of course money! It's not cheap setting up even the smallest of businesses can easily chomp through thousands just buying the basics such as inflation equipment, tools of the trade, suitable vehicle & stock. Becoming a member of a reputable trade organisation, ensures your clients that you are industry trained and committed to a high level of skill aswel as having the correct trade insurance to enable access to many venue's. Over the years, dealing with DIY disasters getting the last minute despair call from the Bride to be or a birthday boy on the day of the party begging for help because they have purchased cheap products off the internet and had a great vision how they would do all the decor themselves on the day & someone promised to help but didn't turn up...and guess what...they burst the balloons, couldn't buy enough high grade helium and no one has turned up to help! Not the memories you had in mind eh?
Also seeing the "part time" decorators....just "week end" basics to earn a bit of money. These individuals are very rarely trained, insured and have professional equipment to produce professional results as they don't want to spend out and they are working out of their front room! They offer "Cheap" decor as there is no value in what they offer and you have no peace of mind if they don't turn up or you sent them a photo off pintrest and they have delivered something that looks nothing like it! The same with some card shops, cheap (basic) balloons, hoping for a high turnover without the care, skill and creative detail.
There is a reason professional balloon decor has a value, it is not just the cost of offering a massive range of professional grade materials you are buying, it is the person who has invested years and years into themselves to ensure you remember your event for all the right reasons.
I always wonder why some people buy the cheapest part of the decor (latex balloons) and then ring up a business to ask if you can decorate a venue with them for pennies?! Would you go to the supermarket and purchase a load of food then ring up a restaurant and ask them to cook you a meal with your ingredients ???
The industry has changed a lot over the last few years, helium shortages caused massive price increases, higher VAT & raised import duties of raw materials continually push up basic running costs, fuel, tax & insurance price hikes...all continue to pressure independent businesses. Well, we are still here and still as enthusiastic as ever about the future in balloon decor for Blissful Balloons.
We have seen our business grow year upon year due to the fact that Melissa Johnson has integrity, determination and pride in everything she does. 100% perfectionist with a sprinkling of OCD is what produces a professional and experienced finished decor plan every time.
Here's to another 10 years! Thank you to all our clients past, present and future for showing your appreciation and choosing Blissful Balloons, Celebrate in style with peace of mind has been our strap line from the beginning and will stay with us xx
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