admin
10-03-2008, 07:31 AM
I created Jolly Molly the Clown in 1980 and have shared my space with her ever since. She now has her own closet, her own dresser, her own makeup room, and part of the garage. (Everyone asks if clowns can drive. I answer, "Yes, but not very well".)
I felt there was a need for children's entertainment in this area. With a background in theatre and musical ability to share, I merged those skills with my love for children and set out to develop a market in the Portland area.
The first issue was one of trust: Would people trust a perfect stranger to come to their homes and interact with their friends and precious children? Would the person they hired actually come on time, or come at all? Then there was my trust. Would they actually pay me? Was there really a party or was some nutcase sending on a wild goose chase?
Well, since the beginning I have learned alot about the business of clowning, and my trust level has risen to about 99%. In all this time, I think I have had 3 bounced checks - pretty amazing for any business!
I have been stung a few times by would-be clowns who picked my brains and then went into competition with me, but overall, I have really enjoyed my profession. I have met thousands of people, mostly in their own homes. I have shared family gatherings, and corporate events, weddings, grand openings, even a box at the circus!
I am proud of what I do, and I get rather angry at the clown bashing that seems to be popular these days. I work hard to maintain my costume, props, makeup, wig, and supplies. I am a terrific face painter and am aware that people have tried to steal that technique from me too, but what the heck? Imitation is the greatest form of compliment, n'est pas? I reap immediate praise and satisfaction from my work just by seeing the joy in children's faces or brightening an elderly person's day.
This is not something you can make a fabulous living at. I would have made much more money if I had put the same amount of time and energy into being a realtor or a lawyer, but the time has slipped by in a frenzy of booking shows, performing, and raising a family. It's been a great 26 years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my talents, and to own my own business.
I have may funny tales to tell, because driving around in a clown suit opens strange doors. Someday maybe I will share those stories. For more information, please visit my web site at www.jollymolly.com.
I felt there was a need for children's entertainment in this area. With a background in theatre and musical ability to share, I merged those skills with my love for children and set out to develop a market in the Portland area.
The first issue was one of trust: Would people trust a perfect stranger to come to their homes and interact with their friends and precious children? Would the person they hired actually come on time, or come at all? Then there was my trust. Would they actually pay me? Was there really a party or was some nutcase sending on a wild goose chase?
Well, since the beginning I have learned alot about the business of clowning, and my trust level has risen to about 99%. In all this time, I think I have had 3 bounced checks - pretty amazing for any business!
I have been stung a few times by would-be clowns who picked my brains and then went into competition with me, but overall, I have really enjoyed my profession. I have met thousands of people, mostly in their own homes. I have shared family gatherings, and corporate events, weddings, grand openings, even a box at the circus!
I am proud of what I do, and I get rather angry at the clown bashing that seems to be popular these days. I work hard to maintain my costume, props, makeup, wig, and supplies. I am a terrific face painter and am aware that people have tried to steal that technique from me too, but what the heck? Imitation is the greatest form of compliment, n'est pas? I reap immediate praise and satisfaction from my work just by seeing the joy in children's faces or brightening an elderly person's day.
This is not something you can make a fabulous living at. I would have made much more money if I had put the same amount of time and energy into being a realtor or a lawyer, but the time has slipped by in a frenzy of booking shows, performing, and raising a family. It's been a great 26 years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my talents, and to own my own business.
I have may funny tales to tell, because driving around in a clown suit opens strange doors. Someday maybe I will share those stories. For more information, please visit my web site at www.jollymolly.com.