We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dani Jackowiak. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dani below.

Dani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

My first client that wasn’t a friend actually came from posting my first install that WAS for a friend. I posted it onto my regular page without even having a business name yet. Someone saw it and messaged me saying that they were looking for someone to do balloons for their (pretty large) event. I was floored! I had more paying clients in between then, but this was the one that really encouraged me to come up with a business name, to get helium, and to invest in myself and this business. Even two years later, I always see an increase in business when I am consistently posting what I want to sell.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I moved to Nashville almost eight years ago pursuing music as an artist and songwriter. After the pandemic hit, there were a lot of changes in my life which led me to serving full-time. After having to work Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day, New Years Eve & Day during a single season, I knew that I needed to be my own boss and control my own schedule. I had been thinking about balloons for years while watching a close friend of mine grow exponentially in Charlotte.

Growing up in Reno, my grandparents owned a floral and party store. It was my first job when I was in elementary school, and I was constantly watching the women in my family excel in floral creations and centerpieces and favors. But my favorite part was inflating balloons with my grandpa. Even during my adult years, balloons made me happy and it’s all I would ask for each birthday. That love was instilled in me so early.

Now, helium is one of my favorite services we offer, and we actually provide it for a lot of other balloon companies in our area. Our main service area is in air-filled organic garlands, but we offer anything you can think of. Our team has grown these past two years and continues to grow. We are constantly looking to improve our skills and come up with new ideas. I am so proud of how quickly we have grown. I am always telling my team that 50% of our job is problem-solving. When we show up to an install, we have a plan…but there is always a Plan B and a Plan C. I live by the motto: If I don’t know how, I will figure it out. I truly believe there is nothing we can’t do. If you can dream it, we can create it.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I am really big on following up! I respond quickly, I maintain contact through the day of the install, and then within a few weeks, I follow up to see how everything went and ask for a Google review. I currently have over 45 five-star reviews on Google with another 15+ on Thumbtack, which is more than most in my field in my area. Within a few months, I follow up again to see if there is anything new that needs to be scheduled so I can reserve the date for them. I also send hand-written, personal Christmas cards to all clients that I have an address for. I consistently build up my “competition” because I view us as a community. And this lands me quite a few referrals. I just always try to maintain a positive outlook, and I offer my clients full transparency.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I have a small but mighty team. We can have short days that only last a few hours, or we can have 12-14 hour days that are HARD work. Up and down ladders, multiple installs, something will inevitably go wrong. At every start, I like to give a pep talk and walk through what we’re doing. I remind them that I am never upset/mad, and that if I’m ever short (which I get accused of in my personal life), it’s because we have a timeline, that I crave efficiency, and that I just want us to be successful. I remind them that they are here because I trust them, which means they are given freedom to make on-the-fly decisions and that I trust their judgment. It is my goal to have team members trained to be able to take over if I can’t. If they do something that I end up changing, I always take the time to explain my thought process and help them understand the design aspect. It has helped so much when they go to make the decision at the next job. I also try to feed them lunches on the long days, as well as show them appreciation whenever I can! I want them to know they can come to me with any questions or concerns at any time, and that their input is valued.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.partyupballoonco.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/partyupballoonco
• Facebook: facebook.com/partyupballoonco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-jackowiak-56082859/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/party-up-balloon-nashville?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Image Credits
VBG Photography Abby Sholar Photography