33 Years In A Family Balloon Business.

35 Years of Balloons, Family, and Gratitude

Can you believe it’s been 35 years? We started doing balloons before cell phones, computers, Pinterest, or YouTube even existed. Back then, there were only three other balloon companies in Sacramento, and instead of competing, we collaborated. We stayed in our own lanes, respected each other’s clients, and even helped each other out.

When the city or a government agency needed three bids, we would call each other to coordinate quotes—making sure the job always went to the person who had earned it the year before. That’s how much trust there was.

One of our competitors was so close to us, we gave each other paid vacations. We'd forward our phones, and they’d take calls, answer as if they were us, fulfill the orders, and only charge for the cost of goods. We always returned the favor. No one would dream of stealing a client—it just wasn’t the way we did business.

Then COVID changed everything.

Suddenly, instead of 3 or 4 competitors, we had over 45—what we call the “COVID Mommies.” These were moms stuck at home who learned balloons from YouTube. And honestly, I wish I’d thought to teach balloon decorating online, because someone else did, and it completely shifted our industry.

Now we’re competing with home-based decorators who have no rent, no employees, no taxes, no workers comp, no utilities—while we paid rent on an empty building for two years, trying to keep our business alive. Our savings and retirement went to keeping the lights on, while our landlord came out of COVID whole. We couldn’t break our lease without being sued. But why wasn't his business—leasing to a closed business—shut down?

It’s hard not to want to stomp my feet and yell, "It’s not fair!" Because honestly, it wasn’t.

But we made it. And that’s because of YOU.

We’re so grateful that our family didn’t lose anyone to COVID. That alone is a blessing beyond words. And to all our loyal clients—you are the reason we’re still standing. You’ve literally kept a roof over our heads and food on our table.

From the bottom of our hearts: Thank you.We love you more than words can say.

Here’s a silly, loving photo of our goofy family.We hope it makes you smile like you’ve made us smile for 33 years.

❤️🎈The Hadin Family