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If you've ever spent your Monday morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you.

Each week we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like for our Money blog.

This week we chat to Marc Lemezma, better known as Marli the Magician, about the realities of being a children's entertainer...

You can earn around... £30,000 to £60,000 a year depending on how hard you wanted to work.

The best paying job I've had was... around £800. I was asked to go to a home, set up and wait all day, just for a 45-minute show in the afternoon. The family didn't want an entertainer just to rock up.

Parents should expect to pay... around £150 for a 45-minute or hour-long slot.

The most heartwarming experience was... having a parent tell me their child is non-verbal and wouldn't get up to help in the show, but I managed to get them up and talking! There were tears from the parents and smiles from the child.

The worst experience I've had was... Turning up for a party, and seeing paramedics present. Someone in the family had collapsed and died. The event was cancelled.

Children's parties have become more professional... over the years. I was always focused that way but historically entertainers for parties were often hobbyists. There are no formal qualifications needed. I started magic as a hobby at age seven, so grew up as a performer. I do constantly study to learn new things, for example health and safety.

Kids just want to meet Spiderman... Characters drive things now. I decided to build my own character - Marli the Magician. I'm lucky that lots of children ask for him.

The strangest event I've been asked to perform at was... a dog's party. I had a call asking if I would make some balloon people for the animals.

My first job was a TV repair technician... I progress to working in IT before giving it all up in my late thirties to become an entertainer. Alongside my children's entertainment I also have worked as a close-up magician, speech coach, hypnotherapist, and counsellor as more recently as a funeral celebrant. I have always valued diversity at work, it keeps my mind fresh.

I work mainly... at private parties, but do a lot in schools and pre-schools for Christmas and end of year events. I sometimes work at festivals, but the school work is a good regular income. I have many who have booked me annually for 20 years.

I get a lot of heckles... but only the ones I want. Part of the process is to get children to shout out. However, there is always someone, usually an adult with a wise crack but I always have a good response. A guy once shouted: "Only an idiot would want to watch a show like this." I replied: "I see you've proved that point sir."

The best perk of the job is... meeting people and being part of happy events. Food is an occupational hazard but 99% of families offer it or drinks.

The job is awful for... a social life. I work a little less weekends than in previous years to make sure I have a social life. I do get recognised outside work, and you have to smile and get into character. Of course, you can't always remember who it is you bump into in the street.

My job does allow me to... save but entertainment is in the soul. I will slow down but I will always do a few parties.

Read more from this series:
'A starting salary? There's no such thing': What it's really like being a West End performer
'I work 34 hours a week, finish at 1.30pm regularly - and this is how to ace the toughest manoeuvre'
'I'm a teacher - read this if you think it's all holidays and 3pm finishes'

The biggest misconception about being a children's entertainer is... that they are amateur, unskilled or in some way failed entertainers. I am a 100% professional. I work hard on marketing. I make sure I have all the needed certificates and insurance. I keep my props maintained and I have a proper contract booking system as well as proper record keeping. The second misconception is that we are childminders. I have had a few parents try to leave their kids in my care and go off to get drunk.

To perform, you need... a little fear. I relish it. It keeps me on my toes. I use some breathing exercises to manage and focus my nerves.

I have lots of great tricks... but being a member of The Magic Circle, I can't show you how I do them. Balloon modelling is always a great crowd pleaser.