Like many hot-air balloon enthusiasts, Andy Baird says the day he first rode in a balloon was the day he got hooked.
He was 13 at the time. It led him to intern for hot-air balloon manufacturer Cameron Balloons in England while he was in college.
In 1994, Baird returned to U.S.-based Cameron Balloons in Dexter. The balloon pilot, 45, bought the business a few years later.
Today, the company makes about 50 custom-made hot-air balloon aircraft a year. The small factory produces balloons from nearly start to finish - from hand-weaving the baskets to sewing together the colorful panels that create balloon envelopes that stand 70 feet tall when inflated.
The company made some balloons for the Super Bowl last year and a balloon in the shape of a hamburger for Burger King.
"There's a huge satisfaction in seeing them fly,'' Baird said. "Whether it's the NFL balloons flying over the Super Bowl, a special shape Mickey Mouse or a new pilot taking his fist solo, it's a great feeling.''
Residence: Stockbridge.
Family: Baird and his wife, Anne, have two children: Alan, 10, and Emily, 8.
His business: Hot-air balloon manufacturing.
Interesting fact most people don't know: "Probably that we're here at all. Most people don't realize that most of the balloons they see - from the colorful sport balloons to the magnificent shapes like the Disney Castle, are made right here in Dexter.''
Philosophy in business: "You have to trust people - your customers and your employees. Occasionally you will get burned, but it's rare, and in the meantime you can focus on the important stuff.''
Favorite place he's traveled: "Costa Rica stands out. Flying a balloon over the rain forest was spectacular - 'playing' in the tops of the trees with the howler monkeys and then electing not to 'dip' into the river - only to discover the huge crocodiles where I would have 'splashed.' ''
Piece of advice for someone starting their own business: "Choose something you love to do and figure out where the boundaries are between personal life and business life. If both can flourish, then jump in with both feet.''
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