425. 87 years of balloons and big values: the Sempertex story

Ever wondered about the people behind the balloons you use every single day? This episode is one of those career-highlight conversations you don't want to miss. I sat down with Leo and Marcela of Sempertex at the Sempertex International Balloon Convention in Orlando. Leo is the CEO and Marcela, the VP of Sales and Marketing. We talk about the incredible 87-year history of this family-owned company; from Leo's Austrian grandfather founding it in Colombia in 1938 to the bold decision to focus exclusively on natural latex balloons.  Leo and Marcela share how they hire for culture and values, why 65-70% of their team is women, how they work with 250 farming families in a crop substitution program and what the DUR recycled balloon initiative looks like. If you've ever wanted to feel more connected to the brands you depend on, this is the episode.   In the UGlu Hotline, hear how one listener searches Instagram to get a better feel of a color before trying it.    Unlock three free bonus episodes!    RESOURCES MENTIONED: Sales Sets Havin' A Party Wholesale (save 5% on orders $200+ with code PODCAST) buildwiththeguild.com UGlu by Pro Tapes (save 5% on orders $200+ at Havin' A Party with code PODCAST)  DM @thebrightballoon on Instagram to ask a question or leave advice for the UGlu Hotline! 2026 Bright Balloon Planner  @sempertex - - - - On the Bright Side Apple | Patreon Join the Bright Balloon email list  The Bright Balloon on YouTube