How to let hiring be easy in your balloon business
Running a balloon business solo is one of those things that works… until it doesn't. You hit a wall where inflating feels like a chore instead of something you love; where the jobs keep getting bigger but your hands and hours stay the same. That's where I found myself; and that's exactly where my guest Jessica of Balloons by F&F found herself too.
Whether you're still working from your basement or you've made the leap to a studio space; if you've ever thought "I need help but I have no idea where to start;" this episode is for you.
Start With an Inflator
Jessica and I both agree; the first hire should be someone to take over inflating. It sounds simple but it can give you back up to eight hours a week. Jessica started by hiring two people at the same time; which is advice she got from a friend. The thinking is that if one doesn't work out; you're not starting completely over.
When I first hired an inflator; I paid her by the foot. It was great at first because I knew I'd never pay more than I was making. But it became really hard to scale because the role grew beyond just inflating garland. Eventually I switched to hourly with guaranteed hours each week; and that opened up space for things like sand weights; organizing and prep work.
You Don't Need a Perfect Setup
One of the biggest things holding people back is logistics. Where will they work? Do I have a bathroom for them? Do I need a separate entrance? Jessica had her first workspace beside her home before eventually moving into a brick and mortar space in a shopping center. I totally get that the logistics feel overwhelming; but they shouldn't stop you.
Jessica's advice is to start casual. Have a friend come over and try explaining your process to them. See if having another person in your space even feels right. If your home setup doesn't work; maybe a virtual assistant handling admin is the better first step.
Hire People You Want to Be Around
This one doesn't get said enough. In this industry you're spending long car rides and full install days with your team. Jessica made the point that she wants to be around people who bring her joy and make her a better person. I completely agree. Claudia and I grab lunch together after jobs; and it just makes the whole day better.
Both of us also learned that hiring moms over high schoolers tends to work out better. It's a maturity thing; moms show up and figure things out without needing constant direction.
Don't Overthink the Money Stuff
Jessica uses Connecteam (a free app) for scheduling and clocking in and out; and it syncs directly with Gusto for payroll. She started paying a dollar or two above minimum wage and gives raises every year. She also builds in perks like holiday parties and splitting early morning fees directly with the team members who show up for those installs.
If you're worried about whether you can afford it; look at your past data. Jessica keeps her team part-time so hours can flex with the busy and slow seasons. And honestly; if a $3,000 job costs you $100 in inflation labor… the math works.
The Takeaway
Hiring doesn't have to be perfect from day one. It's okay for it to be a little messy at the start. The important thing is getting help before you burn out. Start small; stay flexible and don't filter potential hires through what you think makes sense for their schedule. There are people out there who would love a few hours a week helping a small business.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about Jessica's team structure; how she handles pay and what she wishes she'd known sooner. Episode 423.
