This month Ellen from Bubblegum Balloons takes on our newly revamped quick fire questions, ahead of (and in celebration of) their upcoming 5th birthday!
Please introduce yourself:
Hello! I’m Ellen Reed, the Marketing Manager at Bubblegum Balloons – working closely alongside our 3 incredible owners, Laura Slater, Megan Robertson and Sally Clackett.
Your business…
1. What made you want to set up your business?
Bubblegum Balloons is the beautiful creation of 2 sisters and their best friend. Seeing a gap in the market for sending something personalised and fun, the Bubblegum Balloons business was born.
2. What’s the best part of your job?
No day is ever the same. Whether we’re launching a brand-new collection or hanging off the side of an NCP carpark armed with balloons, every day and every job is always new.
3. What’s the worst part of your job?
There’s not enough hours in the day! We find ourselves working almost 24/7 as it is, but a few extra balloon filled hours would be rather brilliant.
4. What’s the weirdest request you’ve ever had from a client?
At this stage, nothing surprises us and so far, we’ve never said no. If anyone was to pop into our studio I’m sure you’d find someone trying something new for a client. Sewing tea bags onto a balloon tail? Sure. Seeing what foods can fit into a Bubble Balloon? Yep, we’ve been there. If Plan A doesn’t work, there’s always Plan Bubblegum.
5. What’s been your favourite ever wedding you’ve worked on/at?
We’re so lucky to be the preferred supplier at some of the most gorgeous wedding venues in the UK, so no wedding is ever dull! From creating classically beautiful installations to being involved in the brightest, boldest, punchiest colour-ways going, we get to be involved in all themes.
6. You’re surrounded by beauty in your job, what do you find beautiful?
Seeing the look on peoples faces once we’ve finished the job. Whether it’s someone who’s ordered a Bubble Balloon for their Mum’s birthday, or an Events company that’s hired us for a ginormous installation, it’s such a lovely feeling knowing their vision has come to life.
7. Best piece of advice to offer to those getting married?
Be up front with your budget. We want your wedding to look better than you could ever have imagined, so will do everything we can to deliver your dream within what’s realistic. The final result is so important to us, so we love to work with couples who know exactly what they’re after, or guide those who might be a little stuck.
8. Anyone you particularly admire in the industry?
We’re about to celebrate the 5th birthday of Bubblegum Balloons, and over that time we’ve managed to work with the best of the best. To be surrounded by the most talented suppliers in the business is what makes our job so special.
9. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Stick to what feels right. Bubblegum is where it is because the 3 Owners have always believed in themselves, the team around them, and the vision for the business. Here’s to another 50 years!
10. What was your career plan B?
Once Bubblegum had been thought of, there was never a Plan B, only a Plan Bubblegum!
About Bubblegum Balloons…
11. Where do you call home?
Farnborough, Hampshire (in sparkly new offices too – ooh!)
12. What’s your favourite shop?
There’s no telling what a Bubblegum girl would do for a Pret sandwich and a ginger shot!
13. Favourite restaurant?
We’re out in the country, so the favourite has to be the local pub. Dog friendly, an open fire and a never-ending supply of fizz – what more could you need?
14. Favourite film?
Up, of course!
15. Cocktail of choice?
After a 17-hour day we’re not too fussy…
16. Your biggest extravagance?
The in-house photo studio. It’s gorgeous and was worth every penny.
17. Do you collect anything?
Unintentionally we have a collection of balloons that seem to have made the roof of our warehouse their home. It’s kindly been named the Balloon Graveyard.
(It’s not the below, but I imagine it might be something like a less curated version of the below…!)
18. If you could buy any building, which would it be?
Legoland!
19. What’s the most romantic thing someone’s ever done for you?
Being a female office (so far, we only have 2 Bubblegum Boys!) on Valentine’s Day there’s always lots and lots of bouquets of flowers. However, we do get a glimpse into some incredibly romantic relationships with the orders placed – swoon!
20. Where do you go to let your hair down?
The Bubblegum office on a Friday afternoon is always a fun place to be. We have a prosecco fridge and a great sound system – the perfect way to end an always manic week!
And finally…
21. Tell us something surprising about yourself!
Our balloons aren’t made of Bubblegum, despite popular belief.
22. Invisibility or flight?
Flight! It would be brilliant to be able to fly our balloons to their venues.
23. Any regrets in life?
Only that we can’t just rock up to Buckingham Palace and balloon the front of it – imagine!
24. Tell us your favourite Instagram accounts at the moment!
Our friends at @earlyhoursltd have a gorgeous feed that we’re always obsessed with, and @tonymarklew always does the best videos of his creations.
25. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
We’re not beauty queens, so peace to all is a little cliché! What would be nice is for the happiness of opening a balloon to last forever. Infinite balloon happiness to all!
(My idea of wedding-balloon-happiness below!)
Thank you so much to Ellen from Bubblegum Balloons for taking part! Definitely a different take on our supplier spotlight this month. The Balloon Graveyard made me chuckle… surprisingly they didn’t send in a photo of that one!
I’ve been a fan of the Bubblegum Balloon girls for ages and have featured their creations loads on my blog (as well as many regrams), so it was lovely to have them featured this month.
I’m now aiming to do my Supplier Spotlights on a five to six week rotation (instead of a four week rotation) to mix up the blog a bit, but do stay tuned for my next exciting supplier!
Until next time 😊
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