The History of Flo & Co

I started my working career at the Steel works in Scunthorpe and by the time
I left to have a family I had reached the dizzy heights of raw materials
buyer.
After I became a mum I started childminding and day fostering for the
council. Meanwhile for a hobby I started face painting and balloon modelling
to entertain the hordes of kids I always had in tow.

I was Chairman of St Pauls Playgroup and later Scunthorpe Branch PPA and
eventually got a paid fieldwork post for Humberside Pre School Playgroups
Association. PPA provided excellent in service training and after attending
numerous courses with them they sent me on a Tutors course. I then started
to tutor child care courses for childminders and play group leaders. Sadly
though they gave me so much confidence I decided to branch out on my own in
September 1993. I heard of 5 bouncy castles for sale and knowing them to be
a good earner, bought them in addition to launching my face painting career
under the name Glenam Leisure. I won a trophy for Best Carnival Face in
1993 with a peacock. I was a founder member of FACE - The Face Painting
Association in 1994 and Chairwoman in 1996/7.

Flo was born September 1993, after a chance meeting with a 'resting' clown
working an ice cream van (a job I did for a few weeks myself, when later
clowning was thin on the ground). He wanted me to give him a job but
instead we formed a clown duo called 'Circus Magic'. I provided transport,
some props, costumes, business expertise, taught him to balloon bend and
became his stooge. He meanwhile introduced me to magic, taught me to
juggle, fall over and generally be silly. We were quite popular so after 6
months I gave up the playgroup work. Pee Pee and I split in 1994. So for a
while I did low key clowning, just face painting and balloon modelling. I
sold the castles in 1996 when I started to do more mix and mingle work for
agents and also started running Flo's toddlers, 3 mornings a week, at a
local pub with a play barn. (I just can't resist working with the little
ones!).

In Lincoln, September 1998 I attended my 1st Clowns International event and
it set the ball rolling for me, I joined on the spot. I have come on in
leaps and bounds ever since. It was here I played my tin whistle in public
for the 1st time and am now learning the diablo. I now have loads more
magic props and enjoy performing them 'badly' to very magically talented
children. I met a clown called Fuzzy, from Peterborough, in Lincoln and
found we worked together well. He gave me the confidence in my clowning
skills that I needed (I never knew if I was any good!) and helped me put
together a party package with mini disco, which is proving extremely
popular. He encouraged me to go to two Clown Festivals, Holland in 1999 and
Denmark in 2000. I renewed acquaintances and made new friends. I entertained
at a kindergarten and it worked, even though we spoke different languages.

I travelled so much with my work last year that I now have a van converted
into camper. This is sign written, so it is in turn generating more work. I
have worked in Edinburgh and Glasgow and down as far as Southampton and
Somerset covering most places in between.

I do a lot of work for agents and I was flattered in January 2000 to be
nominated for 2 categories in fun awards staged by JH Promotions in Essex.
I was nominated for 'Best New Act 1999' for Flo The Xmas Fairy and also
'Artiste with the Most Diverse Talents' .

1999 myself and Fuzzy started the `Naughty Clowns Club`. This is a club for
the young at heart clown, who's talents are tailored to suit the needs of
today's children. Over the years children's tastes in humour have changed
with the increased popularity of TV, video, digital games and sadly the
decline in live children's entertainment. We successfully combine the
talents of yester year with 21st century humour, thereby entertaining and
`educating` young and old alike.

I don't think I'll ever be rich but I just love what I do. I've always been
a bit mad but now I have found my niche. I have been called the clown/face
painter from hell, when I turn up on one of my motor bikes but, what the
heck, it pays to be a bit eccentric to get noticed!

Kari Donald (proprietor)