YOUR BUSINESS
Name: Danielle Smith.
Role: Company director of Just Imagine NW.
What is Just Imagine NW and how did it form?: We are an events and entertainment company specialising in interactive theatre, character appearances and workshops across the North West of England. I started the business in September 2016 and can honestly say I have never looked back. It’s been an overwhelming process, with the business going from strength to strength very quickly, but a process that I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate. Ten months in and we now have a team of over 20 creative experts who are all instrumental in the growth of the business and I couldn’t do it without each and every one of them! Before I set up the business I worked in sales in the IT and football industry but Just Imagine has been in planning for over six years.
What do you most enjoy
about this role?: I enjoy seeing the difference we make in families’ lives on a day-to-day basis. From hospital visits, charity fundraisers, children’s birthday parties and children’s workshops, what we do is so rewarding and we create magical memories each and every day. It’s an honour and not like a job at all... well apart from the admin.
What are your funny or memorable experiences while you have been
doing this?: We have lots of hilarious and memorable moments. As you can imagine we are a creative and energetic bunch, travelling up and down the country in various characters, and we do get some strange looks. We’ve had marriage proposals, trips and falls in the craziest of costumes and in the toughest of weather. My most memorable moment is shocking shoppers in Blackburn Tesco with our Grinch and Cindy Lou cosplay! The recording received over 22k views and we had the most fun creating havoc!
What are your high
lights?: Working with such a talented group of individuals and creating spectacular events, holiday workshops, memorable birthday parties and teaching children at our Performing Arts Academy. We want to educate and enlighten through the art of theatre and we are succeeding in our mission to fill families’ lives with magic, which is a constant highlight for me.
What is your favourite
place in Accrington?: The Ballroom at Accrington Town Hall - it’s a stunning building which we want everyone around to enjoy with us! With its sweeping princess staircase and regal ballroom with high Victorian ceilings and chandeliers it’s the perfect venue to host our Holiday Clubs and Performing Arts Academy. The staff are so friendly and accommodating. We also do lots of interactive theatre events and Meet and Greet Film Clubs from here too, in partnership with Hyndburn Leisure. It’s simply breathtaking and in the heart of our very town.
Ideally how would you
spend every day?: I wouldn’t like to spend any two days doing the same thing. I like busy and varied days which is exactly how I spend my time now and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What was the best holiday you have been on?: After marrying in
France in June 2015, my husband and I embarked on a road trip around France for our first anniversary and it was spectacular! We went sightseeing in Montpellier, wine-tasting in Tournon-sur-Rhone, stayed in the most beautiful chateaux in Carcassonne and Bort L’Etang and enjoyed lots of lovely seafood in Marseille, to name just a few of our favourites.
What one piece of advice
would you give?: Don’t waste time thinking ‘What If?’ Take the leap and go for it! If you don’t you will never know what you’re capable of.
What was your first job?: I worked at The Crown Inn on Whalley Road at the age of 13 waiting on on Sunday afternoons. This is where the landlady showed me how wonderful mash butties were.
What is on your MP3
player?: A wide variety. Disney, musicals, classical and random sound effects.
What is your favourite TV show?: Game of Thrones, The 100 and
Homeland.
What are you reading at
the moment?: Enid Blyton’s - The Faraway Tree. We have an event on September 17 at The Accrington Town Hall called ‘The Faraway Tree’ Experience in which we are creating magical lands for the children to visit from The Land of Dreams to The Land of Birthdays.
Who is your biggest
inspiration?: My grandparents. They moved to France 10 years ago to the middle of nowhere, growing vegetables and fruits and had a whole host of different animals. I would love to replicate what they have done when we retire. They also give incredible advice and support and I live by what they have said to me over the years.
Who would you like to invite to dinner?: J.K. Rowling, Peter Kay and Meryl Streep.
M: 07714 301530 E: Danielle.Smith@justimaginenw.co.uk Website: justimaginenw. co.uk Facebook: @justimaginenw