What It's About
A graphic designer proves his product idea isn't full of hot air.
Words of Wisdom
Sam shares an important lesson, "I've learned to embrace baby steps. Everything that has been a struggle has taught me something important and I've changed and adapted my business to fix those issues."
Fun Fact
Did you know that as a part of Sam’s training to work with balloons, he had to become a “Certified Balloon Artist.” Becoming certified includes watching a series of training videos and then taking three online tests and one four-hour, practical exam demonstrating balloon skills. Here's a link that features a silly animation Sam helped illustrate.
Notes from Chris
Episode 1977
Sam Jossie did not intend to work in the balloon business. You could say he floated into it. After training as a graphic designer, for his first real job he was hired by a balloon company. The thing is—there are a lot of graphic designing jobs in the balloon world. When Sam got hired, the company already had 22 full-time designers on staff. And they always had something to do. (Side note: what company is this?? Answer: Pioneer Balloon Company.) Sam soon started doing all the photography of everything for the company’s catalogs, social media, balloon education courses, and even week-long photo shoots. Before the pandemic, the company flew in professional balloon artists from all over the world to come in for demonstrations. Sam was their photographer. When there were massive conventions for balloon decorators, Sam was there with his camera. Listeners, that’s when he noticed something. After the conventions or the photo shoots, people left the balloons behind with the rest of the trash. Some balloons deflated on the ground. Others soared into the sky, destined to wreak environmental havoc elsewhere. But one way or another, anything left behind needed to be collected and thrown away. As part of the cleanup effort, most people in charge would go around popping balloons. They used whatever they could find: scissors, box cutters, and another tool that looked like a medieval mace. To make this tool, they attached a piece of putty to a wooden pencil or stick. Then, on the other end of the putty, was a sphere of small nails. While this caveman tool was effective, it was extremely dangerous due to the sharp, exposed nails. Just think: Game of Thrones but with a bunch of balloons in a ballroom. After buying his own 3-D printer, redesigning the prototype twice, and going through a period of trial and error, he was ready for business. He created a website and accounts with Facebook and Instagram. By early 2022, Sam had sold 1,000 Strikers. He made a profit of $12,600 in his first full year, and sales continue to rise. In fact, he’s sold to countries as far away as Tanzania. Sam has found making Strikers takes a lot of time. Next, he’s looking to outsource the assembly and printing of the tool to someone who has 3-D experience, so he can spend more time with his family. Or, he might invent something else.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Learn more about Sam and his popping business at his online store, balloonstriker.bigcartel.com.
- Balloon Artist’s Poppin’ Business Nets $1,200 Monthly: A South Carolina native turns his college hobby of entertaining with balloons into a profitable balloon performance, décor, and delivery side hustle.
- Graphic Designer Profits from Print on Demand; Quits Job to Hike New Zealand: With zero cost, a graphic designer earns $20,000 and works virtually while hiking the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand.
- Graphic Designer Paints a Picture Worth $8,000/Month: This designer is the picture of success with a side hustle that draws in a full-time income.
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Resources
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