Well I can’t quite believe I’m typing this, but, this week, Noise Makers turns 1!

One whole year of making noise!  I was going to say it’s flown by but it really hasn’t (!) but not in a bad way! it hasn’t dragged – it’s been hard work, lost sleep, constant worry, questions rolling around my brain “am I doing the right thing?” “have I got the right equipment?” “am I any good” – not dissimilar to the questions I’m sure all new parents have thought! But here I am, one year later, one year wiser. And I haven’t just “survived” it, I feel like I’ve thrived – of course, like with any new business, there have been highs and lows, but on my first anniversary I’d like to focus on the positives.

I looked back at my register for my first Watford class today and it had seven names for one class: the start of Noise Makers. This week I stood in that same venue with not one, but two full classes. In fact I stood in many classes this week and smiled as parents poured in through the door for another noisy adventure.

Now, back to that first class of seven children. What I omitted to say was that two of those children were children of friends of mine who had come along to support my first class and make enthusiastic “oooh” and “aahhh” noises! And without the support of those two friends, along with several other pals who have supported my new venture by not only having children (that’s real commitment to the cause!) but bringing them along to my classes (even when they haven’t been anywhere near where they live!) So, Aditi, Henri, Beth, Katie and Jo – thank you! And then there have been friends that have borrowed nieces and nephews (I’m looking at you Andrea) or insist they fly over from Australia (!) to attend the class! Any part that felt scary was infinitely easier with your smiling faces in the class!

So if you’ve ever attended a Noise Makers class, booked a party, shared a Facebook post, liked an Instagram story, left a review – thank you. It is a joy to run these classes, meet you and your wonderful children and watch them sing, dance, laugh and thrive in classes.  Thank you for all your kind words, they mean so much, and are the reason the classes have thrived! Over the first year, Noise Makers has grown. We have several classes in different venues during the week, we do parties as well as working alongside some badass boss ladies (Rakhee, Beth, Andrea I’m looking at you!)

Final thanks have to go to my husband slash business manager, Michael, who backed me all the way and made me the spreadsheet of dreams so I could keep on top of the admin side of Noise Makers. He’s learnt far more sign language and nursery rhyme lyrics in the last year than I think he wanted (or needed) to and has shared in my excitement when 25 tambourines have been delivered!

So here’s to the next year of Noisy adventures! I can’t wait to see what’s in store!

Love

Elise x