Entrepreneur to Watch: Trevor Mason of Shiny Kids Entertainment
Trevor Mason is the owner and creative mastermind of Shiny Kids Entertainment. He has a lot of projects on the go, including Vancouver Birthday Fun, Gogo Bonkers, and The Jethro Sirius Experiment. He’s started doing kids’ birthday parties this year but has been involved in children’s entertainment since 2001.
What is your role in the company?
As far as birthday parties are concerned, I run the whole show. I create all of my own web content and take care of my own SEO in regards to getting my business on the first page of Google. I started on page 74 and have managed to get myself on pages 1, 2 and 3 for various keywords, which has really helped increase traffic to my sites.
In regards to Gogo Bonkers, I write, record and perform a lot of the music. I write scripts, make costumes, and book shows. Networking is a big part of my job and I’m always interested in meeting new and inspiring people with similar passions. I’m currently producing the new Gogo Bonkers TV Show.
What inspired you to start your company?
I started writing songs with my own kids about 10 years ago and I just slowly built the business up from there. I wound up writing a song with my mother-in-law’s Grade 2 elementary school class and landed more schools and private students after that. It was so much fun when I realized what kids are capable of when they are adequately inspired to be creative.
When I moved the company to Vancouver, I met up with my good friend Iain and he had written a bunch of kids’ songs too. He had just finished completing his music therapy degree at Capilano College and so Gogo Bonkers was born (though we were called Bonkers in the beginning).
What is your company all about?
My company is all about community. I believe very strongly in the power of community. When people get together, they can accomplish anything they put their minds to. It’s all about building that mastermind group of like-minded individuals. I’m also all about supporting local businesses and food growers and much of my entertainment focuses on these themes in hopes that they will inspire people to support local families and economies.
What’s your vision for your company?
I envision owning and operating my own children’s entertainment company. Currently I’m booking more Jr. Rockstars birthday parties. I’m also in the process of putting together a touring children’s festival and a TV show based on the adventures of Gogo Bonkers, the children’s group that I perform in.
What excites you about what you’re doing?
The creative freedom to create a world that will hopefully inspire children to care for one another no matter what the cost. It is so exciting to see simple concepts sink in and watch the inspiration erupt on the face of a child who suddenly realizes that yes, they can make a difference on this beautiful planet that we all share.
What are some early examples of success?
I realized I was on to something when my community centre classes started filling up. Then Gogo Bonkers started booking more and more shows and festivals. And then Gogo Bonkers got nominated for Best Children’s Recording of the Year at the 2011 Western Canadian Music Awards. That was pretty cool. Oh, and then we got picked up by ArtStarts who is currently booking us performances in schools.
Are there any charities or organizations you’re involved in?
Almost every year we volunteer at BC Children’s Hospital Child Run. We also have some plans to launch some fundraising initiatives for The David Suzuki Foundation and possibly World Vision.
What’s next for you?
More birthday parties! Gogo Bonkers heads out on the road this summer for a summer festival tour and a school tour starting in September. Gogo Bonkers is also currently writing a TV Show pitch and will be filming their all new show this summer while on the road.
Did I mention that I wrote a novel for children? I just finished publishing it and will be officially launching it soon. It’s called, The Jethro Sirius Experiment. I’m also interning at Bardel Entertainment, a local animation company that produced the popular children’s series, Silverwing, based on Kenneth Oppel’s totally awesome books about bats!
And maybe, just maybe, you might see Gogo Bonkers in a flash mob this Canada Day! Watch for it.
