Making Your First Hire
Making your first hire can feel intimidating, especially when you’ve built your balloon business entirely on your own. In episode 41 of The Bright Balloon Podcast, Erin from Young and Wild Balloon Company shares what pushed her to finally make her first hire, how she’s approached the process and why she wishes she’d done it sooner.
Erin was in a unique season of growth when we had our conversation. Alongside running her balloon business in Columbus, Ohio, she had also recently purchased Alpha-Lit Columbus. While the two businesses are intentionally kept separate, the added demand quickly highlighted a common problem many balloon business owners face: there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
Knowing When It’s Time
For Erin, the decision to hire came down to overwhelm. She found herself spending hours each day at her computer: sending quotes, managing invoices, responding to emails and juggling schedules. These were tasks that had to be done, but they weren’t the best use of her time or energy.
She shared an important realization: by the time you feel completely buried, you’re already late. Hiring earlier (when the pressure is building but still manageable) gives you space to train, adjust and build systems without constant stress.
Starting with the Backend
Instead of hiring someone to help with balloon installs right away, Erin chose to focus on backend support. She hired a remote assistant to manage inquiries, send estimates, schedule deliveries and eventually take over much of the administrative work that lived in her inbox.
Like many balloon artists, Erin initially believed that no one else could quote her jobs correctly. How would someone else know what’s possible, what takes extra time, or where balloons can and can’t be installed?! But as her business grew, it became clear that with proper systems and training, those tasks can be delegated... and should be.
Systems Make Delegation Possible
A big part of Erin’s hiring journey was acknowledging the need for better systems. From moving estimates more efficiently to revisiting CRMs like 17hats, she quickly became focused on creating clear processes before fully handing things off.
She also shared how small changes, like sending personalized emails with estimate links instead of relying on automated notifications, dramatically improved response times and reduced follow-ups. These are the kinds of refinements that make delegation smoother for both the business owner and the new hire.
Paying, Hours, and Expectations
Erin planned to pay her assistant hourly, estimating 10–15 hours per week to start. Compensation would depend on experience, which allowed flexibility for candidates who brought additional skills like tech support, design or operations experience.
Rather than guessing her way through taxes and payroll, Erin also enlisted help from a local business coach, who guided her through the logistics and helped remove the emotional weight from hiring decisions.
The Biggest Takeaway
One of the most powerful insights from this conversation was Erin’s desire for a gatekeeper: someone who can enforce her business rules, protect her time and prevent burnout caused by over-accommodating clients.
Hiring isn’t about losing control or connection. It’s about creating space to do the work that actually moves your business forward.
If you’re feeling stretched thin, this episode is a reminder that hiring doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Starting small, starting intentionally and starting before burnout hits can make all the difference.
Listen to the full episode of The Bright Balloon to hear Erin’s candid take on making her first hire!
