08/30/2026
WORKING FOR EXPOSURE DOESN’T PAY THE BILLS.
More and more people are undercutting the balloon industry just to make a quick buck. But balloons are not cheap, and neither are gas, delivery or labor.
Let’s break it down.
An 8 foot garland using 5 inch, 11 inch and 18 inch balloons can cost around $40 in materials for just one color (rough estimate). If the client requests five colors, you could already be spending $200 before inflating a single balloon.
Now add:
Inflation and preparation
Travel and fuel
Delivery and installation
Returning after the event for pickup
If you spend $200 on materials and charge $100 for the entire job, you did not earn $100. You paid $100 to decorate someone else’s event.
The math ain’t mathing.
If you are stuck in the “exposure zone,” I offer one on one classes at our shop to help you price for profit and build a real business instead of becoming the family hookup.
Remember, once people get used to receiving your work for free, many will disappear when you start charging. Have you ever watched a friend or relative pay another decorator instead of booking you? That is not an accident.
Respect your time, talent and investment. Treat it like a business and it can grow like one.
Message me for information about private balloon business classes.
