Meet the Portsmouth princess making a living from dressing as Disney heroes
PRINCESSES are hoping to spread a little joy as they offer children a chance to meet their idols.
Memory Makers, a children's entertainment company, has been set up by Jaysie Braithwaite, from North End, offering meet-and-greet experiences with heroes.
Jaysie, 29, was inspired to start the business after recreating characters for sick children.
Jaysie, who dresses as an island princess inspired by Moana from the Disney film of the same name, started offering meet-and-greets at charity organisations and hospitals.
The idea has proved so popular that she has now recruited a team of 27 princesses in five counties, who cover a range of characters including Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Anna and Elsa from Frozen, plus more.
They even have some superheroes on the books such as Spiderman and Superman.
They can be booked to appear at events, and can also be booked for 30 minute personal meet and greets, which includes singing, dancing, a gift and a photo opportunity.
Now there are plans for a Portsmouth parade.
Jaysie said: ‘I put a post on Facebook asking who fancied a Disney-themed parade, and it went crazy. It had over 300 shares and loads of people commenting.
'I was watching Disney parades on YouTube and I thought, we could really do that! It's a good thing, too - it'll lift the community spirit because it can be watched from your doorstep'.
With the current Covid-19 restrictions set in place, Jaysie has had to update and change her business to keep up with regulations.
She said: ‘At first, it was absolutely horrendous. Every time we were picking up and putting ideas in to suit new guidelines, they would change and we were running around in circles'.
Despite the constant setbacks, her business idea has proved popular and has seen her set up many different parts to it, including online story time sessions and small singing groups at Baffins Community Centre.
Now she said she is determined to spread some festive joy this December, with princesses in Christmas costumes delivering personalised wooden boxes filled with toys, chocolate, gifts and a letter from Santa to people’s doorsteps.
Jaysie is also busy creating her own original characters to represent children who may not be represented in movies, and she has plans to publish two fairy tale stories with character costumes, dolls and dresses, which are made by Portsmouth costume designer, Society Bell.
Jaysie said: ‘Memory Makers is a place where the most magical memories are made.
‘We want to be Portsmouth's answer to Disney.’
For more go to facebook.co.uk/mmhampshire.