{"id":1597,"date":"2019-09-06T14:47:08","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T14:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/?page_id=1597"},"modified":"2022-08-16T10:10:33","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T10:10:33","slug":"spotlight-little-laughs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/partywizz.com\/blog\/spotlight-little-laughs\/","title":{"rendered":"Performer Spotlight: Little Laughs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Get to know Eimear McCann<\/h2>\n

Eimear McCann, originally from Mullingar, has been entertaining children since the age of 16.\u00a0 For the last 9 years she has had her own entertainment business, Little Laughs, offering a wide range of activities to suit any kid\u2019s party or event.\u00a0 Here she talks to PartyWizz about her career, what makes her tick, and offers advice for hosting stress-free parties.<\/p>\n

Quickfire Questions<\/h2>\n

How did you get into kid\u2019s entertainment?<\/h3>\n

My family are all fairly practical but none of them are in the industry, so I\u2019d say it was a fairly unexpected career choice.\u00a0 It started with Face painting which was the first skill I learnt.\u00a0 When I was 15, my step father bought me a set of face paints.\u00a0 Although no Picasso, I was into art at school so the Face painting came quite naturally to me.\u00a0 After a bit of practice, I started to paint the kids at school and those of family friends.<\/p>\n

And how did it become a business?<\/h3>\n

After charging a few family friends for face painting, I seemed to have a flair for it, so I set up a stand at the Horse show and charged a pound per face painted.\u00a0 At the end of the day I had 50 quid which was great for a day\u2019s work for a 16 year old at the time.\u00a0 I knew I was on to something.<\/p>\n

And how did you become inspired to take it further?<\/h3>\n

I kept up the face painting and, when I was around 19, I started working with a circus family.\u00a0 They had amazing skills such as juggling and fire eating, and I started to expand my own skillset including balloon modelling.\u00a0 Plus, I learned more about the industry along the way.<\/p>\n

And how did you come to set up your own business?<\/h3>\n

After travelling for a while, I moved to Dublin.\u00a0 I did some freelance work and then decided I had enough knowledge and experience to go it alone.\u00a0 So, in 2009 I set up Little Laughs and have never regretted it.\u00a0 Working for myself is great; I love the fact I\u2019m not answerable to anyone. \u00a0And it gives me the flexibility to work from home much of the time so I can take care of my own kids as well.<\/p>\n

And how did you build the business?<\/h3>\n

I started with just myself and then I slowly started to take on more entertainers to join me.\u00a0 At the same time, I started developing the repertoire of what we offer.\u00a0 We started with the magic and puppetry packages but now offer everything from Pamper Parties, to Arts and Craft activities and Slime parties.\u00a0 The latest addition to the range of activities is slumber parties; we deliver and set up beautifully made Teepees so you can easily host a sleepover at home.<\/p>\n

What makes you different as a business?<\/h3>\n

One thing is the wide range of different packages we offer.\u00a0 We also offer activities for older kids which are often quite difficult to find.\u00a0 So, for example the puppets and magic is popular with the 3-8 year olds, but the arts and crafts and pamper parties are perfect for older kids, and the Teepees are great for the 8-13 year olds.<\/p>\n

Also, despite the fact that the business is now bigger than just myself, I am still very hands on and offer a personal touch in everything we do.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0We are also pretty creative and can also tailor the party to suit special requests or interests and try to make each and every party special.<\/p>\n

Finally, I offer advice to parents who need it.\u00a0 People really appreciate suggestions, especially mums who are doing parties for the first time.<\/p>\n

Can you give us some of your top tips for hosting parties?<\/h3>\n

Yes of course.\u00a0 The first thing would be to order pizza to reduce some of the pressure on the day.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen so many mums who never get to enjoy the party because they spend the whole time in the kitchen preparing the food!<\/p>\n

Secondly, make sure you have a good space for the entertainer and there are not too many distractions for the kids.\u00a0 Having the party in the playroom is not a good idea!\u00a0 Try to cover toys and other distractions.<\/p>\n

Finally, don\u2019t leave out bowls of sweets at the start of a party.\u00a0 You\u2019ll get the effects of the sugar rush very early and the kids will be wired!<\/p>\n

What have been the biggest challenges in developing the business?<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve been slowly building up a team of talented entertainers.\u00a0 The main challenge has been finding enough really good people.\u00a0 I only want to work with the best so that\u2019s really what dictates how fast we can grow.<\/p>\n

So, 22 years later you are still entertaining children, what keep you doing what you do?<\/h3>\n

I love kids; it\u2019s their innocence.\u00a0 And I love what I do.\u00a0 It can be hard work and there can be challenging kids but I love their reactions.\u00a0 When you hear from the parent who has booked you that their child is so excited and counting the sleeps to their party, that\u2019s so sweet to hear.<\/p>\n

Also, now I have my own two kids as well, I have a greater empathy with the parents booking me and the kids themselves.<\/p>\n

Has anything changed in terms of the industry in that time?<\/h3>\n

Children\u2019s expectations have changed.\u00a0 It used to be the case that children were more able to entertain themselves.\u00a0 Now they increasingly need to be entertained.\u00a0 Also, kids will nowadays, tell you exactly what they think about the party and about other parties that they\u2019ve been to.\u00a0 I remember one kid who had already been to a party earlier on the same day, high on sugar, tell me excitedly that the party he had just come from was terrible and that he hoped this one would be better!<\/p>\n

What are your plans for the future?<\/h3>\n

Its all about growing the business and expanding what we offer.\u00a0 For example, we have just opened a wonderful party venue in Santry, so people who don\u2019t want to host a party at home can use our space.\u00a0\u00a0 A lot of venues such as the GAA clubs tend to be rather bland.\u00a0 Ours space been designed specifically for kids and looks really fun and pretty.<\/p>\n

What do you think of PartyWizz<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s great.\u00a0 It makes things so simple and the website is excellent.\u00a0 So easy to navigate and find what you need.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to book any of Little Laughs\u2019 fantastic party packages<\/a>, click here:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\"Book<\/a><\/span>