There’s a moment when a hobby stops being a hobby. It’s when you realise people are willing to pay you for your skill. Then you get your first booking. Then your first £1,000 month. Then you realise you’re actually building something. And suddenly, the thing you started because you “loved balloons” has become a business. But here’s where I think the balloon industry needs to change. We need to stop telling people to simply “learn how to make a garland” and start teaching them how to become professional balloon stylists. Because the balloons are only one part of the job. You need the skill. You need the creativity. You need the confidence. You need the business knowledge. And you need to understand how to turn that skill into a sustainable career. That’s why I care so much about certification. Not because a certificate magically makes you successful. But because it represents a shift in mindset: I’m not just someone who makes balloon garlands. I’m a trained professional. ...