I started my side-hustle at McDonald’s kids’ parties but now rake in up to £300 an hour – even Peter Andre’s a fan
A SAVVY mum who started her side hustle at McDonald’s kids’ parties has revealed how she can now rake in up to £300 an hour doing what she loves.
Layla Glen, 45, from Redditch in Worcestershire, was just 16-years-old when she was hired by popular fast food chain McDonald’s to make balloon animals for children’s birthday parties.
She took a break from it and ended up working as the boss of a bar and restaurant, but when her husband bought her an online course on balloons for her 40th birthday, it reignited her love of the hobby.
“I started when I was 16 at Mcdonald’s and I was doing birthday parties, they trained me up but I found it fun,” she said, speaking to Birmingham Live.
“When I was 40 my husband gave me a balloon diploma online course and I really enjoyed it. I found all these balloon groups who gave me loads of ideas.”
“I started it as a hobby but then I started a business.”
Impressed with her handiwork, the mum-of-three, who shares her creations on her Instagram page @creativity_artsandcrafts, was soon flooded with requests from her friends, who shared the results online.
It wasn’t long before Layla’s artistic side hustle gained momentum and even garnered attention from singer Peter Andre when he came to her local town to switch the Christmas lights on.
In fact, he was such a fan of the creation, which was complete with his famous six-pack, he took the creation home with him and proudly posted about it on his Instagram account.
Now, Layla, who recently bagged second place at a big balloon competition in Blackpool thanks to her mega Elvis Presley balloon, can be hired for special events and charges up to £300 a pop – depending on the request.
Amongst some of the famous faces she’s turned into balloon models include Harry Styles, Bob Marley, the late Queen and Jack Grealish.
She’s even appeared on the BBC and created a life-size version of Nick Owen, which was about six-foot tall, although she admits it wasn’t without its challenges – adding that it took a few hours because she had to re-do his face.
Layla went on to say that some balloon creations also take longer than others.
For example, the late Queen took four hours due to the wrinkle, while Bob Marley’s hair also added on time.
“They vary between £150 to £300 but the smaller ones I do like Harry Styles are £25,” she said.
“Older people tend to cost more because of the wrinkles.”