The Magic Industry Changed. Did You?

1. What were you doing for work back in 2019?
( Performing Full Time and Expanding the Business )
2. What was your big goal with magic at that time?
( Make a career out of it which I have )
3. What do you do for work now?
( Touring, Consulting, Motivational Speaking, Endurance Stunts, Lifestyle Coaching )
4. What’s your goal with magic these days?
( Expanding globally )
5. What’s standing in your way right now?
( Fear of failure but Im working though it will my coaches )
6. How could Ellusionist help you get there?
( Not Sure – Thoughts ?)

I’ve worked as a waiter my entire life, and many years ago was doing some walk-around magic while waiting tables at this one particular place(where my wife and I met🥰). However, as the years passed and I moved on, my magic became more limited to friends and family. My interest continued to diminish up until 2019 with the advent of Covid. I reached back out to magic and the magic community again, because the isolation had me searching for ways to entertain my mind.
I’m started ordering more books/tricks etc and rekindled my love for magic as a hobbyist. I have since started showing the family(esp. the grandkids) more magic, and have even started being an EDC around with me for the restaurant “just in case”. My dream would be to retire in a few years, and incorporate restaurant/walk-around magic as a part-time means of income. Currently, my wife and I are dealing with some health issues, and my schedule and job are locked in for now. But I will hold on to magic as a hobby and a creative outlet until that day may come. Thanks for listening Ellusionist!

1. What were you doing for work back in 2019?
In 2019, I was picking up random gigs on the side, and was doing close-up sets at some small events, and performing for anyone that would watch. it wasn’t lavish, but it felt like I was developing – every weekend gig, or bar show made me think, “yeah, I could potentially do this full-time.” I was not looking for stability or long-term plans, just simply to “make it” as a magician.

2. What was your big goal with magic at that time?
Simply performing full-time. I wanted to travel, headline shows, and create an identity in the magic scene. I was infatuated with the idea of making a paycheck out of passion, without a plan “b,” and no safety net in place. Just pure tunnel vision. Magic was my whole identity, and honestly, I liked it that way.

3. What do you do for work now?
A whole another thing. Stable, but reliable, not that exciting of a job. And I won’t lie, the stable-check that it brings is kind of nice. Especially after all the “chaos” during the pandemic, security is something I value now (that I never thought I’d value). Not the goal I had in mind then, but the trade-off is not bad either.

4. What’s your goal with magic these days?
Now, it’s more of doing magic for the feeling, for myself, rather than for money. I want to keep that spark alive. perhaps working here and there, but without the pressure of paying bills. I miss the creative rush of working up a routine or finally hitting a move that I’ve practiced for weeks. Basically, I want to have a love affair with the art again, in a way where it feels sustainable.

5. What’s standing in your way right now?
Time, energy, and perhaps a little confidence. It’s hard to have a creative passion after being away from it for a while. I find myself scrolling through Instagram and if I see everyone posting new things, I think to myself, I am behind. However, mainly just finding and reestablishing that balance between real life and a passion.

6. How could Ellusionist help you get there?
Just keep doing what you’re doing! Maybe focus on starting to rekindle people’s passion for magic and magic community, not just the next new effect. Tutorials sure, but also real conversation, mentorship, community, something that makes people feel connected again. Sometimes you just need that little push or reminder from another magician of why you got started in the first place.

1. I was in college studying for my CS degree. At the time I was working at a BBQ restaurant.
2. Really to just to perform for an audience as much as I could which led to a couple of family birthdays and two talent shows.
3. I am a software developer for a local bank.
4. I think I recently achieved it. It was to create an effect that no one has done before. I would love to market it but I think it may need some more work to be commercially viable. Plus it may need permission from a third party.
5. Time, testing, experimenting and actually testing it in the real world.
6. Consulting with a professional magic creator would help a ton.

1. What were you doing for work back in 2019?
Working full time as a plumbing heating engineer
2. What was your big goal with magic at that time?
Perform more, get better
3. What do you do for work now?
The same
4. What’s your goal with magic these days?
The same
5. What’s standing in your way right now?
Lack of confidence in approaching someone who may not want to be performed to.
Time to practice
6. How could Ellusionist help you get there?
Not sure. Any ideas?