| She went to college to be a CLOWN?! |
| When people ask Sonia Toledo, a New Yorican Diva from the Bronx, what she does for a living, her response, “I’m a children’s entertainer,” always elicits a chuckle. Her own family jokes, “Can you believe that she went to college to become a clown?” With visible sadness, Sonia states, “It hurt at first, but I love making children happy. Unfortunately, society links success with affluence instead of associating it with happiness.” Is it possible to make a living being Bozo? Her family soon discovered that clowning around is big business. Children’s party entertainers command a minimum of $200 dollars per hour cash, and that doesn’t include tips. Is anyone out there still laughing? I must be in the wrong business I thought, but she quickly adds, “This isn’t for everyone. You can’t fake loving to work with children, and I love putting smiles on those cute faces.” How does one become a clown? Sonia was an art teacher in a catholic school, when she decided to become a stay at home Mom. For her son’s first birthday party she hired her friend, Elaine a.k.a. Bubbles the Clown, who started her own clown business three years earlier and encouraged Sonia to do the same. Sonia was hesitant but with her husband's support she enrolled in a face painting class, bought a book on balloon art, and observed her friend at work. She developed an act incorporating magic, comedy, games, singing, face painting, spin art, and sand art. Wiggles the Clown came to life! Soon she was invited for balloon jams, where children's entertainers gather to share their knowledge and craft. |
Are children’s entertainers competitive? I mean, I
know it’s fun, but isn’t this a business? Sonia replies,
“I went from averaging one party per weekend to a
minimum of eight, and so does every other
entertainer at the jam. I personally do zero
advertising and I can’t keep up with the demand.”
The children’s entertainment business relies heavily
on referrals. If children at a party enjoy her act, they
will insist that their parents hire Wiggles for their own
parties. Because of this, it’s important for entertainers
to reinvent themselves. “You don’t want to bore the
kids or go through the motions of your act. You have
to know your audience. Children know when you are
genuinely having a great time.”
Wiggles travels from home to home, which leads to
long hours on the road, but she doesn’t have any
regrets. Her five year plan includes expanding by
buying a building so that the parties can come to her.
“I have the best of both worlds. I get to be a stay at
home Mom during the week, and collect a good
paycheck on the weekends when my husband can
stay home with the children.”
For all of those still raising their eyebrows, I think
Wiggles is the one getting the last laugh!
Interview by Jenice Mateo
Contact Wiggles for your child's party
at 347-879-6871
know it’s fun, but isn’t this a business? Sonia replies,
“I went from averaging one party per weekend to a
minimum of eight, and so does every other
entertainer at the jam. I personally do zero
advertising and I can’t keep up with the demand.”
The children’s entertainment business relies heavily
on referrals. If children at a party enjoy her act, they
will insist that their parents hire Wiggles for their own
parties. Because of this, it’s important for entertainers
to reinvent themselves. “You don’t want to bore the
kids or go through the motions of your act. You have
to know your audience. Children know when you are
genuinely having a great time.”
Wiggles travels from home to home, which leads to
long hours on the road, but she doesn’t have any
regrets. Her five year plan includes expanding by
buying a building so that the parties can come to her.
“I have the best of both worlds. I get to be a stay at
home Mom during the week, and collect a good
paycheck on the weekends when my husband can
stay home with the children.”
For all of those still raising their eyebrows, I think
Wiggles is the one getting the last laugh!
Interview by Jenice Mateo
Contact Wiggles for your child's party
at 347-879-6871
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