I sometime dress up as a clown for my family kids and it go over pretty well alot of times. I'm wanting to turn this into a business a kids entertainment business where i dress up as a clown or i have a couple friends dress up as other characters such as winnie the pooh or dora the explorer. I thought of buying a bouncy to add as a bonus parents could rent it as well. my first question is

Do i have to have permission to use the dora characters and such?

At first i wanted to offer full theme parties for parents like a package deal such as gold, silver, platniume at a certin price and the packages would inculde the theme of the party, food, cake, maybe the bouncy, the clown, face painting etc. Does this sound feesible? or should i just stick with just showing up as the characters?

Where can i find info on how to be a better clown like doing the ballaon aminals?

>Do i have to have permission to use the dora characters and
>such?

Legally, you are required to have permission. These characters are copyrighted and using them commercially will leave you open to be sued, if you do not have permission.

>At first i wanted to offer full theme parties for parents like
>a package deal such as gold, silver, platniume at a certin
>price and the packages would inculde the theme of the party,
>food, cake, maybe the bouncy, the clown, face painting etc.

If you can break it down on a per child basis, too, it would be useful for groups to hire out that way, especially as they would have each child pay their own admission, so to speak.

>Does this sound feesible? or should i just stick with just
>showing up as the characters?

It sounds feasible, but as already stated (by someone else) I wouldn't buy what can be rented.

>Where can i find info on how to be a better clown like doing
>the ballaon aminals?

Google "balloon animals" and practice, practice practice.

Good luck with it.

Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!

Inflatables may be too much of a liability for you and too
costly to repair when something occurs with it.   I don't know
where you live, but where I live...there are plenty of places
to purchase theses.   You also  may need an extra person
during the party to ensure the kids are using it properly. 
All this just seems like more of an expense to me.

As for you being a clown and renting yourself out, I think it
is a great idea...you really don't see that too often.  Kids
LOVE live shows!  They are "real" experiences.  As
for leaning balloon animals, new clown faces, other ideas...go
to your local bookstore or library.  There are many books that
can teach you how to do this.  The internet has multiple
resources.   Just google what you want and you may be able to
download instructions or watch a video.

Happy Clowning!

I would like to thank all of you guys for your input and help. I agree with you guys on the bouncy issue, so i just plan to stick with the clown and other characters for now showing up and putting on a show. If you guys can think of anything else or any other business venture please let me know as i'm trying to put myself tru school so i need the income, and i was thinking the way the economy is today we all need a smile on our faces.


Mr. SanMa