We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abby Messner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Abby thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start on the operational side – do you spend more of your time/focus/energy on growing revenue or cutting costs?

You have to spend money to make money! How many times have we heard this? Well for me, a saver by nature, this is a tough one. I have to constantly remind myself that what I spend will come back to me in sales. I began my business with the understanding that there would be some start-up costs but as I began to make money I could reinvest into additional tools and supplies. I decided that as long as I wasn’t losing money, I would keep going. I am now in my third year of business. I believe that cutting costs and growing revenue work like a balance. When costs are high, you need to balance that out by increasing revenue and vice versa. I recently took on the added expense of rent for a studio workspace. Knowing that I now have added overhead, I have a greater need to drive revenue and cut costs where possible. I still have to constantly remind myself that I have to be willing to spend some money or there will be nothing to sell! It’s a work in progress.

Abby, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey in the balloon industry began at the end of summer 2020. I am a teacher by day and as I was preparing to head back to the classroom after the pandemic I wanted something unique to give my students on their birthdays. I decided I would learn how to make balloon animals! The next thing I knew I was deep into the world of balloon decor and starting an actual business to provide the joy of balloons to others.

I have since expanded my balloon knowledge by participating in online trainings and working on a team last July in Orlando to create a Balloon Wonderland, an immersive, walk-through event made entirely of balloons! I have plans to attend more in-person conferences in the coming months.You can never learn too much!

Inspired Balloon Designs is located on Main Street in North Canton. My studio is not open as a retail location but is used as my workshop. I provide balloon garlands, arches, columns, helium bouquets and other custom designs. I also offer Grab-and-Go options that can be ordered 100% online and picked up in the studio! I love making structured designs that most people haven’t seen before, like the 10 foot tall “O” that I created for Ohio State Wooster’s graduation this year. Another thing I love about my business is working with a variety of clients. I get to create pieces for private parties as well as corporate events.

My studio space is also home to Inspired Image Studio, a rentable photography studio. I have worked with a friend of mine, who is a professional photographer, to set up a few areas that can be used for indoor photo shoots. This space is great for photographers whose clients prefer an indoor setting or when the weather isn’t right for an outdoor shoot.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Creating with balloons is my creative outlet I didn’t realize I needed. I am so fulfilled when I stand back and look at the things I create. Trying new and challenging things has been great and gives me the satisfaction of accomplishing a goal! When I am in my studio, I am in “the zone” and can let worries and frustrations from other areas of my life go away for a while. This is the reward of having a creative outlet. The fact that it is also a business that is profitable is a bonus!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Podcasts have become a constant while I am inflating or driving to make deliveries. I have learned some valuable things about myself and about running a business by listening! My go-to podcast is specifically for those of us in the balloon industry and the weekly episodes have been great, but another one I like is Chill and Prosper with Denise Duffield-Thomas. She is an Australian entrepreneur and money mindset coach. She introduced me to the Sacred Money Archetypes that have opened my eyes to my specific money mindset and how I can use my strengths and combat my blocks in my business.
I have also recently discovered a book called The Seven Primal Questions, by Mike Foster. His research has led him to understand seven basic questions that drive people, each of us with one core question that acts subconsciously to motivate our thoughts and actions. I’m excited to learn more about this and how his ideas can help me in my business as well as in my day job as a teacher.

Contact Info:

• Website: inspiredballoondesigns.com
• Instagram: @inspiredballoondesigns
• Facebook: @inspiredballoondesigns
• Linkedin: Inspired Balloon Designs