What's Up Wednesday, December 27, 2023 #100

This week on What's Up Wednesday, it's post number 100!

As we wrap up the year we know as 2023, it's hard to believe this is the 100th edition of What's Up Wednesday. 

It has definitely been an evolving journey. When COVID hit and forced the postponement of the 2020 Balloon Fiesta, a lot of merchandise for that year was already in the pipeline to us. Since our merchandise is all custom made, there was no returning it. But the lack of an event, and a self-isolating society meant there were limited opportunities to make it available to you. 

Luckily, our Balloon Fiesta Live! team decided to do their live show anyway which gave us an avenue to share our merchandise with you. It was during these shows that we realized just how much having Balloon Fiesta merchandise meant to each of you. We also realized that our current online store software was not adequate to support either of us. We went shopping and found a new platform to better serve both of us. It was a big conversion and learning curve for our small team. It meant you, our loyal customers, needed a new account, previous orders weren't able to be preserved. We had to get up to speed fast about running a robust online store. And after a year, we were in a position to start doing more marketing and after a couple of blog posts or emails in early 2022, we started What's Up Wednesday. And now here we are, writing number 100.

We think the writing has gotten better, the products offered more timely, and the information more relevant to you, our reader and customer. 

To date we haven't really pushed folks to subscribe. We mention it to folks. We point out that's where you'll learn about what's happening, not only at Balloon Fiesta Stuff, but we try and give you some inside information or reminders about Balloon Fiesta itself. And the readership continues to grow each week as more and more people discover What's Up Wednesday. In fact, our subscription base has grown by 50% compared to a year ago

So as we wrap up 2023, and look forward to 2024, a big Thank You for being a subscriber and support of Balloon Fiesta Stuff. 

We remain closed this week as we spend some time with our families. But come early Monday morning, Balloon Fiesta Stuff will be back online and ready for you to do some New Year shopping. And our physical gift shop reopens at 9 am on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. 

Thanks again for your continued support of Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Fiesta Stuff. Here's to a Happy, Safe and Prosperous New Year to all of us!

See you next year (week)!