Some History.
What I did before being a full time Party Planner and Entertainer:
I was a bank manager for more years than I care to remember, (I am still only 21 - honest !!) advising a wide variety of business and helping them grow so you could say that I know the business side of things. A Postgraduate Diploma in "International Finance" (Dip FS) from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh under bank sponsorship and a secondment to the Confederation Of British Industry help equip me to help and understand the needs of large organisations. Add to that various positions in Business Development, Group Risk and Compliance within the bank and a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Strathclyde University in Glasgow Scotland and you could say I have served my apprenticeship in how to run a successful business.
After taking early retirement from the Bank I was head hunted to take on the new role of Compliance Officer/Money Laundering Reporting with Scottish Power Energy Management following that company falling within the remit of the Financial Services Authority. Enjoying the challenge I was responsible for installing a compliance framework, training staff and installing auditing systems to comply with the detailed regulations.
I was a member of the FSA's Energy Committee responsible for interpretating legislation eminating from Brussels into the UK legistative system.
Tiring of big company politics I turned to being a professional children's entertainer http://www.mrgiggles.co.uk which I have been doing for some twelve years now, initially purely as a hobby, while still sensibily employed.
I don't believe in get rich quick schemes which allow one person to prosper at the expense of another but I firmly believe in a fair pay for a fair days work. I also believe in working smarter not harder. I am always looking for new, better ways to do business, giving even more value while having fun at the same time.
My involvement in entertaining children came about by accident when a friend at my local magic club came down with the flu at the worst possible time as far as children entertainers are concerned - Christmas. Even those entertainers who are normally quiet have more work than they can handle. He asked if I could cover for him, and wanting to help a friend and not wanting to disappoint anyone I agreed. This baptism of fire was the impetus I needed to start entertaining for a fee. I have not looked back since.
I wrote a book in the practical application of well known business methods applied specifically to the children's entertainment market to help others break into this market but never did get around to having it published. My hope / aim was to help others who wanted to share in this rewarding experience of bringing happiness and joy to children whilst relieving parents of the inevitable stress that party organising brings and at the same time having fun and earning a good living in the process.
I would say to anyone interestred in following their dream....GO FOR IT.