Amanda Long, Stephanie Long Turner on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amanda Long, Stephanie Long Turner. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Amanda and Stephanie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
The biggest misconception about hot air ballooning is that it may be a beautiful day outside, with blue skies and sunshine, but in reality it is not a good day for taking a hot air balloon ride. Hot air balloons are very wind + weather dependent, and even though it may look like a perfect day out, the conditions before, during, and after the flight may not be quite right, or allow for a safe flight. There’s nothing we hate more than cancelling balloon rides, but safety is always our #1 priority and we will never jeopardize that.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re the sister duo, Amanda + Stephanie, behind Hot Air Expeditions. We took over our family hot air balloon ride business in 2013 and haven’t looked back since! Our company provides hot air balloon rides featuring post-flight bubbly + bites in Phoenix + Tucson, Arizona daily, year-round. We pride ourselves on showcasing the beauty of our state from up above, sharing our passion for aviation, and ensuring our experiences are ones you will talk about for years to come.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
Our parents started Hot Air Expeditions when we were kids with just one hot air balloon in our backyard, and ran the business out of our house, so we grew up watching the hot air balloon business blossom to life, and saw the hard work our parents put in behind the scenes. Watching them work day in and day out, and grow the business to into one with a fleet of hot air balloons + vehicles, and with an office space and full-time staff, ingrained a strong work ethic and passion for hot air ballooning into both of us.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Our Mom, who was the sole owner of Hot Air Expeditions at the time, passed away unexpectedly in 2013, and we were faced with figuring out how to keep the family business afloat, how to pay everyone, how to run a business – all the things. This wasn’t a part of our game plan, and there was no rule book or manual to follow, but we had to figure things out. They say don’t think, just do, and that’s exactly what we did, and managed to come out on the other side. It’s an honor to carry on our Mom’s legacy, and we are stronger because of what we have been through.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Our team is like family to us, and we will always show up and do our best to provide a positive work environment for them, and to take care of them, like they are our own family.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That it was easy. We’ve pushed through a lot of obstacles to get to where we are today, but we wouldn’t change a thing, because it made us into the people we are today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HotAirExpeditions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotairexpeditions/
• Twitter: https://x.com/balloonsaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotAirExpeditions/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hot-air-expeditions-phoenix?osq=hot+air+expeditions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HotAirExpeditions