I'll be honest; I've spent months calling my ChatGPT dumb. It ignores me, promises spreadsheets it never makes and generally acts like it went to a different school than everyone else's. Then I talked to my friend Lenor... and realized the dummy in that situation might be me.

In this episode I catch up with my longtime balloon buddy Lenor of Lights Camera Selfies / Elevate Your Skills, who runs balloons and photo booths out of Hollywood, Florida, and has quietly turned AI into her most reliable assistant. She's not a tech person shouting at you to optimize your life; she's a one-woman show who just wanted her creative time back.

We get into the exact ways she uses ChatGPT to track her real balloon costs, fix her helium math, prep for a city commission meeting and even measure a room when she forgets her tape measure.

Lenor is becoming a certified AI counselor and launching an intro AI class built for balloon and photo booth pros, so this one is packed with beginner-friendly tips you can actually use. If AI has felt overwhelming or a little icky to you, this conversation meets you right where you are.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear a tip for covering exposed framing.

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2026 Bright Balloon Planner

@elevate.your.skills | @lightscameraselfies

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What happens when a former social worker, a military veteran and their soul sister decide to go all-in on balloons? You get one of the most creative business models I've seen in a while.

In this episode I'm sitting down with Heather and Brian from Soul Sisters Creations in Marysville, Ohio; just outside of Columbus. These two (plus their third partner Megan) went from doing nine events a week out of their house, to Balloonathon, to opening a storefront just two months after competing on a TV show called The Blox.

We get into how they divide roles in a three-person partnership, why they hired Brian before Heather even paid herself, how their DIY balloon kits work and a Community Creations Corner concept that honestly blew my mind. If you've ever wondered whether a partnership could actually work in this industry… this one's for you.

In the UGlu Hotline, hear what one listener does when a marquee bulb breaks.

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@soulsisterscreationsllc

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Ever feel like you're leaving money on the table without even realizing it? In this episode, I'm breaking down eight ways I've found free money hiding in my balloon business; from credit card points to reusing balloons to rental items that practically print profit.

Whether you're just getting started or you've been in the game for years, these strategies can help you squeeze more juice out of the work you're already doing. Some are as simple as making a return you've been putting off, and others could literally set your kids up for retirement.

Let's find that free money!

In the UGlu Hotline, hear what one listener always has in her bag for attaching to backdrops.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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

buildwiththeguild.com

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!

2026 Bright Balloon Planner

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