Unemployment made me discover my talent in children entertainment —Adigun Oluwaseun Fidipe, CEO, Sydney Kiddies Entertainment, Ibadan
ADIGUN Oluwaseun Fadipe, Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Kiddies Entertainment, had to brush up his latent talents in children entertainment in a bid to survive because he could not secure good employment after his graduation.
The graduate of Social Studies Education from Lagos State University (LASU) said: “After some years, I got a federal teaching job and was earning N13,000 which could not pay my bills. As a result of the poor remuneration, I decided to explore my talent and flair for children, thereby considering children entertainment business.
“Because I did not have enough capital to start, I used the influence of one of the teachers in the school where I was teaching to get some loans, which I used to purchase the basic equipment needed to start children entertainment.
“The grace of God, my talent and my flair for children entertainment industry had continued to make my company the toast of parents, schools and organisations not only in Oyo State but in the South-West. I have about 20 guys working for me, while I rent out my costumes and mascot, among other equipment to colleagues in the industry.”
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Make millions entertaining children
DO you find younger kids’ perspectives interesting and often funny? When you see older kids horsing around, do you sometimes get the urge to join in? Do you love working with children and do you know how to work a crowd? If your answers to these questions are yes, then, starting an entertainment business for kids could prove both fun and rewarding.
Who can do the business?
Whoever wants to venture into children entertainment must naturally have a keen passion for working with children, and be interested in helping them catch fun. More so, he/she must be educated, because he/she is expected to educate the children while entertaining them. More so, most of his/her clients are intellectuals.
Who can do the business?
Whoever wants to venture into children entertainment must naturally have a keen passion for working with children, and be interested in helping them catch fun. More so, he/she must be educated, because he/she is expected to educate the children while entertaining them. More so, most of his/her clients are intellectuals.
A potential children entertainer must also be lively, funny and creative, and be a good communicator. An average extrovert will do well in children entertainment industry.
Start-up cost
Interestingly, starting children entertainment business could seem a bit costly. But the creativity of the potential children entertainer and the level at which he/she wants to start will determine his start-up cost.
Start-up cost
Interestingly, starting children entertainment business could seem a bit costly. But the creativity of the potential children entertainer and the level at which he/she wants to start will determine his start-up cost.
If you are starting being a clown, you will need the costume, which costs between N20,000 and N25,000, while to rent it costs N5,000 and above. At this level, you can still start in your house, or as a mobile clown. You will need about N150,000 if you are starting a full children entertainment on a small scale. The money you will spend to get at least two mascots, varies in prices, depending on the kind of mascot, it’s size and quality. The least costs about N35,000 each; costume for your clown, which costs between N20,000 and N25,000; office space and stationary. You can rent castle, ranging from N15,000 and above, depending on the size.
You will need hundreds of thousands or millions of naira to start on a large scale. At this level, you will buy bouncing castle, mobile swimming pools, and train ride, among others, which costs hundreds of thousands each.
Learning
You need minimum of six months practical training to master the art. This is because the kind of event you are handling will determine your approach and the equipment needed. You also need to learn how to costume yourself, how to be a clown (which is the core entertainer), how to do face-painting, application of henna tattoos, magic, puppeteering, acrobatics and balloon artistry. You also need to learn how to come down to the level of children; how to control children games; you learn how to compose games and implement them, among others.
Learning
You need minimum of six months practical training to master the art. This is because the kind of event you are handling will determine your approach and the equipment needed. You also need to learn how to costume yourself, how to be a clown (which is the core entertainer), how to do face-painting, application of henna tattoos, magic, puppeteering, acrobatics and balloon artistry. You also need to learn how to come down to the level of children; how to control children games; you learn how to compose games and implement them, among others.
At present, there seems to be no formal school where children entertainment is learnt, but professionals can train you. It is expedient you train from professionals because the trade is practical.
Training fees are determined by the aspect of children entertainment you want to learn. Learning to be a clown is about N20,000 while general children entertainment is about N50,000. Meanwhile, these prices also vary from one trainer to the other.
Planning and research
Identify local competitors and determine if there is a void that you can fill. Consider your talents and compare them against in-demand entertainment services. If you’ve got musical talent, consider gearing your entertainment business towards offering DJ services. If you’ve got skills with balloons, balloon artistry may be another route. Don’t limit your entertainment business to one or two services. The more services you can provide, the more lucrative you will be to parents, schools and organisations looking for the ultimate party with something for everyone.
Planning and research
Identify local competitors and determine if there is a void that you can fill. Consider your talents and compare them against in-demand entertainment services. If you’ve got musical talent, consider gearing your entertainment business towards offering DJ services. If you’ve got skills with balloons, balloon artistry may be another route. Don’t limit your entertainment business to one or two services. The more services you can provide, the more lucrative you will be to parents, schools and organisations looking for the ultimate party with something for everyone.
Develop a persona that will delight kids. You may have more than one in order to accommodate the various ages and interests of the kids you will entertain.
Establish relationships with party planners, party stores, toy stores and kid-friendly clothing stores in order to be able to advertise your business. Purchase balloons, face paint, and even get more jobs.
Cost and potential earning
The need of your clients for the event, the kind of event and the value you place on your services, will determine your cost. Some of them may demand you bring two clowns, while some are okay with just one. The kind of event will determine the equipment you will need. What you charge for birthday party, for instance, differs from what you charge for fanfare.
Cost and potential earning
The need of your clients for the event, the kind of event and the value you place on your services, will determine your cost. Some of them may demand you bring two clowns, while some are okay with just one. The kind of event will determine the equipment you will need. What you charge for birthday party, for instance, differs from what you charge for fanfare.
By and large, you can gain at least 70 per cent of your total cost, including the overhead expenses. Even if you own costumes, mascots, among other equipment needed, you still charge as if you are renting it.
Reputation and marketing
Your expertise matters in developing a good reputation and building a good market for yourself. You must ensure that there is no hiccup in your presentation, right from the beginning to the end. You must always steal the show from the beginning to the end. Because it is an artistic profession, you are sure of getting at least one show from any show you handle.
Reputation and marketing
Your expertise matters in developing a good reputation and building a good market for yourself. You must ensure that there is no hiccup in your presentation, right from the beginning to the end. You must always steal the show from the beginning to the end. Because it is an artistic profession, you are sure of getting at least one show from any show you handle.
Develop colourful brochures that detail the many services you provide, booking requirements, cancellation fees, preparation needed and why parents, schools and organisations should choose you over a competitor. Purchase a website or start a free blog for your business and post tips for making cool cakes, selecting a birthday theme, implementing fun activities and other useful tips that parents, schools and organisations may be researching online. This is a great way to get your name out there and show your clients that you really know your stuff.
Include testimonials on your site.
Written by Olaoluwa Mimiola
Source: Tribune
Written by Olaoluwa Mimiola
Source: Tribune
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