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Name:
Danielle Watson Job: Director of a Bradford-based lookalike agency
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| "You
get what you want when you put your mind to it. I always have
done and most of my friends are also like this." |
Danielle
Watson, your Question and Answer session starts now...
How
did you get into the job?
Since
1995 I was always told how much I looked like Sarah Jessica Parker
and basically after years of working in sales and marketing and
making money for other people I decided I wanted to be my own boss,
so I decided to promote myself as a lookalike and also assisted
someone who looked like David Beckham. When I realised what a good
business this would be for me to be in, I quit my job and took a
gamble to set up on my own.
What
is the job about?
I run
an international lookalike agency and I also work as a lookalike
when I have time. The job entails designing my web sites. I have
three in total, advertising & marketing, booking jobs for people
to go on and recruiting lookalikes and tribute acts. I have a PA
who runs my diary, does the typing of contracts and general office
duties as well as assisting me when we are very busy - which is
usually all the time! We have supplied body doubles for international
TV commercials such as David Beckham, Victoria Beckham and Michael
Owen. We mainly provide lookalikes to meet and greet at venues and
events throughout the UK and overseas. Tributes perform, they look
and sing like famous people such as Robbie, Kylie & Britney
and we have some very large national companies who book every year.
I am always looking at people to see if they look like someone.
What
are the best and worst things about your job?
Best
things are making my clients happy and keeping my artists happy
and having a great reputation as a lookalike agency within such
a backstabbing industry. The odd trip overseas to see clients, getting
freebies from promotional campaigns. Meeting positive people and
thriving off it.
Worst thing: prima donnas and not having a lookalike or tribute
available for a job, but most of all the bitching and backstabbing
of the industry, it is so intense. I also hate negative people.
Have
you had any embarrassing moments or have you got any funny stories
tell?
Being
in Dublin having a meal in a swanky restaurant and having a group
of American ladies ask me to pose for photos with them as they thought
I was Sarah Jessica Parker and in Prague with my husband having
men shouting across the street 'Sex And The City. Hey Carrie, give
us a smile!'. Also as a model at GMTV having Lorraine Kelly baffled
when I met her. She thought Sarah Jessica Parker was in the Green
Room.
If
you weren't doing this job what would you be doing?
I would
be laid on a beach probably in Bali with my husband living the life
of Riley (I wish!) I would probably move into PR, TV Presenting
or some form of direct communications as I am very creative and
innovative.
Have
you got any heroes in your field of work?
Richard
Branson without a shadow of a doubt even though he is not in my
line of work. He is a pioneer and I would love to meet him. When
I was in recruitment I wanted to write to him about opening a franchise
through him, but it was sidelined. I admire anyone who chooses to
set up their own business off the back of a quick whim and especially
young ladies. I admire people with guts and sheer determination,
you get what you want when you put your mind to it. I always have
done and most of my friends are also like this. Hardworking people
who are passionate about life and goals. I do admire Sarah Jessica
Parker as she is very talented and a real trend setter, but also
I like Michael Howard as I feel he is a non bulls*** person and
I like people like that too. I admire my husband as he is real tough
grafter and always finds time for me and him and he is my total
rock.
What
advice would you give to someone who wants to work in your field?
Have
a lot of guts, be able to take lots of cr*p, cope under immense
amounts of pressure, be creative, innovative and always some step
ahead of your competition, attend college and do a business management
course, that what I did.
If
you think you have an interesting job which could be featured
on 'Jobs a good 'un', tell us your name and occupation then
answer the above questions and email them to: westyorkshire@bbc.co.uk
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