How did Dudes & Divas Entertainment all begin? I wrote this short piece for Women in Business NI to share as part of their GEW Nov 2018.

2 years ago in November 2016, 18 months after completing a degree in Drama, Theatre Studies and English Language I lost my job at a children’s entertainment company and was devastated. Having always wanted to be a drama teacher the role of children’s entertainer was supposed to be something to tide me over until a ‘real job’ presented itself. However, this was a world I had soon fallen in love with and it was being ripped from my grip through no fault of my own and I knew there was something I had to do.

Mid December 2016 I visited the Princes Trust NI with my business idea of a children’s party and entertainment venue to house birthdays, events and a sensory space. I was placed on an enterprise course which was intense but I soaked up every second and immersed myself in business plans and forecasts.

2 weeks after Christmas I came across my ideal premises and begged every person I knew to help me. I loaned money and threw every shred of positivity I had at my new business. There was no fear at all just pure excitement that my dreams had become plans and my plans were rapidly becoming reality.
 

 The shell of a building that got my imagination racing in Jan 2017

I had absolutely no business background and extremely little money, but what I did have were a solid business plan, determination and a great support network. Almost 2 years on Dudes and Divas is going from strength to strength, our reputation and client base is growing and I see more and more children leave our little hub of happiness with a smile on their face- that’s my biggest success!