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Clown meets Dragons

Both of Lisa Godin’s sons have a form of autism called Fragile X Syndrome.
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Patches the Storytelling Clown, also know as Lisa Godin, recently presented her business plan to investors on CBC’s Dragon’s Den. Photo by Jenny Jelen.
Both of Lisa Godin’s sons have a form of autism called Fragile X Syndrome. In order for her to be there for her boys as they were growing up, she had to find a job that allowed her to come and go as her kids needed and was helpful in fostering their development. “A regular job wasn’t going to hold me,” she said.

About 15 years ago, Godin found her calling, and Patches the Storytelling Clown was born. The red-nosed entertainer has shared her stories and songs for countless young audiences since then.

However, at the end of April, she performed for a much different crowd.
The “dragons,” made famous by the CBC show Dragon’s Den, were introduced to the clown and her business plan to entertain children on a broader scale through her stories, songs and books.

The dragons now have to determine if her business plan is one they want to support. Godin isn’t allowed to comment on the outcome of her visit to Toronto, but said “it was an amazing experience.”

When producers from Dragon’s Den were in Sudbury March 11, they gave Godin the green-light to advance to Toronto for a chance to receive funding for her plan, as well as airtime on national TV.

Godin said producers seemed to be impressed with her dedication to the storytelling profession.

“They’re looking at the passion behind the product,” she said. Telling stories is what Godin loves to do. “It’s my passion,” she said. “It’s what I like to do.”

She said if everything goes according to plan, she’ll be able to “immediately hook up” with the right professionals to help her get her books into stores nationwide. “I’m excited,” she said. “I’m a major fan of the show.”

Whether or not she is awarded financial support from the Dragons, Godin said she plans to continue “clowning” around.

“I’ve always loved children,” she said. “I find working with them very easy.”

The Garson resident has already released two books geared for kids aged one to eight, and has attached audio CDs to both publications.

Each child-sized anthology contains about a dozen songs or stories. Godin said they all have “educational value,” but aren’t “preachy.” Topics covered in the original pieces include bullying, magic words and manners. Godin said many of the stories are inspired by her own two boys, and the things she faced with them growing up.

“Patience,” she said, “is what raises children.”

In order to make her material appealing to kids, she said she has focused on making it enjoyable.

“It’s all about having fun,” she said.

Godin said on top of her books, she has some other projects “in the frying pan” right now, too.

If Godin was to make it onto Dragon’s Den, she said the episode would air sometime next fall during the show’s sixth season.

For more information about Patches the Storytelling Clown, or to purchase copies of her books and CDs, phone 705-693-3805 or e-mail [email protected].

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