Things I Wish I Knew Before Taking Over The Party Palace

When I purchased The Party Palace in January 2020, I thought I knew what I was getting into.

After all, I had managed the company for years.

Then just weeks later, the world shut down.

In this episode, I’m sharing the biggest lessons I’ve learned from taking over one of the longest-running character entertainment companies in the country. From leadership and hiring to contracts, copycats, company culture, and surviving some of the most challenging moments in business ownership.

I also share some of The Party Palace’s history, including its connection to Pixie Dust Boutique and the legacy that came with purchasing a nearly 19-year-old company.

Whether you’re a business owner, performer, entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream of your own, this episode is full of honest lessons learned the hard way.

✨ Sometimes success isn’t explosive growth. Sometimes success is simply refusing to quit.

Listen now and join the conversation.

What is it REALLY like running a princess and character entertainment company behind the scenes? 👑✨

In this episode of the Party Princess Podcast, Lelah Clifford sits down with Michaela Vivona, owner of A Dream Is A Wish Parties LLC in New York, for a fun, honest, and sometimes spicy conversation about the character entertainment industry.

Whether you’re a performer, business owner, cosplayer, parent, or someone who loves the magic behind the scenes, this episode gives a real look into the world of character entertainment from two experienced company owners.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!

#PartyPrincessPodcast #CharacterEntertainment #PrincessParties #SmallBusinessPodcast #EntertainmentIndustry #PrincessCompany #WomenInBusiness #PartyPrincess #PodcastEpisode

This week’s episode is a little more personal and a lot less polished.

After a difficult couple of weeks filled with bad news, sickness, burnout, and trying to balance life behind the scenes, I wanted to sit down and have a real conversation about what people don’t see behind running a character entertainment company.

In this episode, I’m talking about:
✨ burnout in creative industries
✨ the pressure of always being “on”
✨ balancing personal struggles while running a business
✨ showing up imperfectly instead of disappearing completely
✨ protecting your peace and creativity
✨ why I still continue creating magic after decades

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is simply keep showing up.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or burnt out lately… this episode is for you. 💛

Are cosplay and professional princessing the same thing?

They might look similar—but they are very different.

In this episode of the Party Princess Podcast, we’re having an honest (and respectful) conversation about the key differences between cosplay and professional character work—and why those differences matter in the event and entertainment industry.

From creative freedom to professional standards, we’re breaking down what separates these two worlds and how each one serves a different purpose.

We’re also talking directly to cosplayers who are interested in stepping into the professional princess industry—what to expect, what to learn, and how to successfully make that transition.

In this episode, we cover:

✨ The difference between interpretation vs representation
🎭 What it actually means to stay in character
👑 The responsibility of performing for children
💼 Why professionalism and consistency matter
💡 Tips for cosplayers wanting to go professional

Whether you’re a performer, business owner, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode will give you a whole new perspective.

🎧 Tune in and let’s talk about it.

If you’re running a character entertainment company and struggling with training your team… this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Party Princess Podcast, I’m breaking down exactly how I run training inside my company—from my once-a-year mandatory training day to optional workshops throughout the year.

We’re talking structure, expectations, and how to create a consistent, professional team across the board.

I cover:

• How I structure my annual training (princess, hero, and mascot breakdowns)
• Why I separate trainings by character type
• Using team leads to teach specific skill sets
• Creating slideshow presentations for organized, effective training
• What to actually teach your performers (character work, party flow, professionalism, and more)
• How I handle mandatory training with independent contractors
• Why I don’t pay for training—and what I do instead
• Incentives that actually motivate performers to show up and grow
• Optional workshops (like hair bar and face painting) that increase bookings and skill

I also share the reality of what happens when performers skip training—and why setting clear standards is essential if you want to protect your brand and client experience.

Whether you’re just starting your company or looking to level up your team, this episode will give you a clear, real-world look at what works.

🎧 Perfect to listen to while getting ready for your parties or on the way to your next event!

What really goes into a “one-hour party”?

In this episode of the Party Princess Podcast, we’re pulling back the curtain on the character entertainment industry and having a real, honest conversation about what happens behind the scenes—from both the business owner perspective and the performer experience.

If you’ve ever heard, “It’s just an hour…”—this episode is for you.

We’re diving into:

✨ The true cost and time behind every booking

🎭 What performers actually experience at events

💼 The realities of running a character entertainment business

⚖️ Where disconnect and misunderstandings happen

💖 How we can build a more supportive, professional industry

Whether you’re a performer, business owner, or someone who books character entertainment for events, this episode will give you a whole new perspective on the magic you see at parties.

🎧 Listen now and step behind the curtain.

Let’s talk about the side of the party princess industry that nobody wants to talk about… but everyone NEEDS to.

In this episode, we’re diving into the legal and structural side of running your business—because creating magic is one thing, but protecting it is another.

We’re covering:

✨ Contracts (for BOTH clients and performers)

✨ Non-competes & protecting your brand

✨ Why having everything in writing matters

✨ Setting clear expectations and policies

✨ What to do when performers push back

✨ And how to stand firm—even when it makes you the “bad guy”

If you’ve ever had someone say:

👉 “That’s not enforceable”

👉 “That’s not fair”

👉 “You can’t tell me what to do”

…this episode is for you.

Because here’s the truth:

👑 This is YOUR company

👑 You set the standards

👑 And you are allowed to enforce them

I’m also sharing personal experiences, lessons learned the hard way, and why documentation has become one of the most important tools in my business.

At the end of the day…

If it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen.

Comparison is something we all face… especially in an industry where we’re constantly surrounded by others doing similar work.

In this episode of the Party Princess Podcast, we’re having a real and honest conversation about what comparison actually does—not just to your confidence, but to your creativity, your mindset, and your ability to lead your business well.

It’s so easy to look around and feel like:

💭 “They’re booking more than me”

💭 “They’re growing faster”

💭 “Am I doing enough?”

But here’s the truth:

Just because someone else is shining… doesn’t mean your light is dimming.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

✨ Personal stories from behind the scenes of running a character business

✨ The moments comparison hit the hardest (yes… even over something as small as pancakes 😅)

✨ How to shift your mindset from comparison to confidence

✨ And why your business being different is actually your biggest strength

Because at the end of the day…

we may be in the same industry…

👑 but our magic is not the same 👑

If you’ve ever felt behind, overlooked, or not “enough” in this space—this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in, and don’t forget to share this with another party princess who needs the reminder.