Conversations with Helen Medlin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Helen Medlin. 

Hi Helen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m Helen Medlin, believer in fairytales, student of music, and child of God. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia – constantly playing dress-up and singing for my friends and family. I studied performing arts throughout my childhood and adolescence, – specializing in voice, ballet, and musical theater. I have been working with children since 2010 and have been in the character entertainment industry since 2016. I founded this company in the Spring of 2019 to enchant and empower children to grow up slowly, embody the values of fictitious royalty, and to eventually become someone else’s hero. I am so proud of my company and how far we have come in the last 3 years. I was a freshly-divorced 20-year-old when I started this business. I fled a very short-lived, abusive marriage, and I was taking a semester off school to heal. I had just moved back home to Atlanta and I knew I needed to put my focus into something positive. I poured all of my time and energy into creating Helen Medlin Princess Parties. I added the characters I offer now as they were requested- and one by one, weekend by weekend, my company was formed. It was not easy, but it has been one of the absolute best experiences of my life. The formation of my company was honestly one of the most important parts of my personal healing journey. I felt pride in myself and my accomplishments that I had forgotten was achievable. I found myself exactly where I was supposed to be- spending my time singing, with happy children, in a beautiful ballgown, covered head-to-toe in glitter. Now, being a 23-year-old woman with my own entertainment company feels like a dream come true. I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self that this was written in our stars. I never would’ve believed it could be possible! The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that sometimes, princesses have to save themselves. We can become our own heroes and create our own fairytales. My company was my dream and I made it come true. #GirlPower 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
None of this journey has been “easy”, but it has all been worth it. Being a “one-woman-show” up until recently, meant not only performing every weekend- but also acting as the receptionist, managing, marketing, advertising, accounting, book-keeping, and costume/wig styling, etc. Burnout is VERY real, and being overwhelmed occasionally is part of the game- but I learned very quickly that asking for help and out-sourcing was absolutely necessary. Taking a step back and loosening up the reigns was not easy for me at all. As a total control freak (which I’m sure is typical of many business owners), I had to learn to trust other people with my business. Finding online forums, researching software, and fine-tuning my booking system to work when I am unavailable has been key. I had my website created by the incredible Sophie Haren Design, and all my copy written by Katie Pannell. This was the best decision and best investment I have made for my business so far. Being organized and managing my time, as well as deciding where I needed to specialize vs. what I was willing to outsource made all the difference in the world. Learning to ask for help wasn’t an option; it is something that this business demanded of me. I also have an amazing system of friends and family who have gone out of their way to support me- even if that means bedazzling boots, steaming ballgowns, or binge-watching Disney+ until 3 am. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Helen Medlin Princess Parties, LLC is a children’s entertainment company based in Cobb County, Georgia. We are focused on providing high-quality character experiences for children, families, and businesses across the state of Georgia. We are background-checked, 100% kid-approved event entertainers. We take pride in offering professional singers & performers, realistic costumes, and one-of-a-kind experiences that even parents will enjoy. One thing that sets us apart is our professionalism. We are experts at customizing and designing our performances to suit any & every event. Not only do we visit private families for birthday parties, but we bring the magic to other businesses & industries in the area by providing their clients, customers, and guests with spectacular performances & experiences. We truly care about the children we work with and want nothing more than to make their dreams a reality. Our performers are all theatrically trained in acting and vocal performance. We offer “royal etiquette lessons”, themed games, interactive story-time, live sing-alongs, face-painting, balloon animals, temporary tattoos, photo opportunities, event hosting, (and even ice skating)! We even accept requests for custom characters and create new costumes and stories to fit your fairytale! We are known for being the “real deal”. The magic is in the details, and the magic is easily disrupted when accuracy and laziness come to play. We are not your typical costume and wig party princesses. We are in character from the moment we step out of the dressing room. Every mannerism is rehearsed, glitter is hand placed, and every single event is custom-tailored to exceed client requests. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The pandemic turned things upside-down for everyone, and the entertainment industry was nearly impossible to navigate. My business was also fresh off the ground when lockdown first began. I would say the most important lessons I have learned are to trust time, be adaptable, and to persevere. School moved online, kids were bored, parties were canceled, and parents were struggling. Giving up was never an option, so I turned to “zoom” visits and made a LOT of TikToks at first. This worked for a little while, but things were looking so uncertain and unreliable, that resuming in-person parties seemed like a fantasy. I was taking all my college classes online, and I was staying with my grandma at home almost 24/7. This gave me a TON of time and energy to put into the business. I can definitely say that I was the most productive when my cabin fever was at its peak. My investment paid off, and I had the most amazing opportunity to perform as the “Ice Queen” for Ponce City Market’s Rooftop holiday season. This timing could not have been better, and it is really what kept my business alive Winter 2020. I was advertising and offering huge discounts and looking for gigs wherever I could find interest until Spring. Summer 2021 was the exact opposite. People started having parties again, businesses reopened, and parents were trying desperately to make up for birthdays and canceled vacations. I had to push even harder to be adaptable, safe, and to accommodate the public’s fueled perspectives regarding masks, social distancing, etc. I actually began to overbook and had to turn down bookings after desperately seeking them out the year prior. Though it is a great problem to have, I was totally overwhelmed. I was at my wit’s end this August 2021, when college classes resumed in person. I am currently enrolled in 18 hours of classes at Georgia State University in pursuit of becoming a music teacher. Being back in school overtime, and working full time on my business was impossible to handle alone. I realized I needed to expand even more, which led me to hold auditions for new princess performers. I now have a cast of 5 beautiful, talented young women working alongside me. This has made a world of difference, not only in terms of my own workload but in terms of my drive. I am being launched forward by the dedication and support of my cast members- and fueled by their excitement, commitment, and inspiring energy. Covid-19 isn’t over yet, but I can honestly say that the lessons I’ve learned as a business owner, student, and as a person have been invaluable. 

Contact Info:

• Email: HELENMEDLINPRINCESSPARTIES@GMAIL.COM
• Website: WWW.HELENMEDLINPRINCESSPARTIES.COM
• Instagram: @HELENMEDLIN.PRINCESS
• Facebook: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HELENMEDLINPRINCESSPARTIES
• Other: tiktok.com/@helenmedlin.princess