Balloon Business Takes Off
With helium balloons, this Conwin Carbonic franchisee makes sculptures, centerpieces, bouquets...and a business.
By Tracy Stapp Herold •
Today, Judy Bradt, 44, works out of a warehouse in Pico Rivera, California, but like many entrepreneurs, she started out working out of her garage with no formal experience. Unlike many entrepreneurs, Bradt has a business creating bouquets, centerpieces and sculptures--out of balloons.
Bradt, who previously worked in personnel management, had always enjoyed decorating for office parties, so her interest was sparked when she took a class on starting a homebased business taught by a balloon decorator. "It was really exciting," says Bradt. "I couldn't believe someone could make a living doing this." She started out in January 1992, offering balloons, catering and murder mystery parties, but it was the balloons that took off. Event decorating became the focus of her business, A Special Event.
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