The Magic Industry Changed. Did You?

1. What were you doing for work back in 2019?

I was doing web design.

2. What was your big goal with Magic at that time?

At that time, I had just started a new Instagram channel dedicated specifically to Magic — [@4magic.pro]
I was recording short, visually beautiful magic videos designed for social media. I also made themed videos for holidays like Valentine’s Day and New Year, which you can still see on YouTube channel.

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3. What do you do for work now?

I’m a web developer. I develop web applications and websites.

4. What’s your goal for Magic these days?

These days, I’m mostly focused oncard magic and mentalism.
Over the last year, I’ve been studying “Real Card Magic” by Benjamin Earl learning both the moves and the tricks from that magic set.
My main goal right now is to build solid card magic repertoire that I can perform for people around me.

5. What’s standing in your way right now?

The main challenge is lack of time.
Because I have a family, a son, and a full-time day job, it’s difficult to dedicate as much time to practicing magic as I’d like.

6. How could Ellusionist help you in that?

Honestly, I think Ellusionist is already doing enough.
Over the years, I’ve primarily bought my magic products from Ellusionist. I’m not entirely sure how they could help more, but I truly appreciate what they’re already providing to magicians like me.

I planning to get boxes of Peter Turner )

P.s. would be really grateful for Gift card 🙏

And big thanks in any case 👋

1. I was still in high school in 2019 and did not have a job.
2. At the time, magic was a personal hobby for me that I kept to myself and my goal was to enjoy it, as well as study and improve at it as much as possible.
3. Currently unemployed and about to start studying at university
4. My current goal is to start performing for real people more regularly and improve my skills as a performer, reduce failure rate.
Perhaps build up the confidence to start performing professionally as a side gig.
5. My own anxiety and fears are what’s holding me back at the moment.
6. Getting to see accomplished performers in real life situations where things don’t go perfectly well could be helpful.

Back in 2019, I was finishing up high school and focusing on my IGCSE exams. Magic and mentalism were my biggest hobbies at the time. I was always inspired by shows like Beyond Magic with DMC on NatGeo (my childhood favorite show where episode#2 with Banchek touched my heart deeply), David Blaine, Dynamo, and Criss Angel. I spent a lot of my free time performing card tricks and dabbling with simple mentalism routines, mostly to impress friends and family. Honestly, I didn’t see magic as anything more than a fun pastime then; I never imagined it could lead to something bigger.

Today, I’m a fourth-year computer science student at City University of Hong Kong, studying on a full academic merit scholarship. I have a passion for building mobile apps and robotics, sometimes even getting part-time work on related projects. After a break from magic for a few years, I recently revisited Ellusionist and realized I could now access courses I always loved, particularly those by Peter Turner, that were out of reach for me as a kid in 2019.

These days, my goal with magic has changed dramatically. I’d love to turn mentalism into paid gigs; a real part-time pursuit that combines passion, creative fulfillment, and a return on my Ellusionist investments. I recently performed at a corporate event after colleagues saw my AAA book test and were blown away, which made me realize how much I want to do this more often. The challenge now is figuring out how to consistently get paid bookings and grow beyond just one-off performances. That’s what’s standing in my way: I’m passionate and ready, but don’t know where or how to start finding regular paid opportunities.

Ellusionist could truly help by offering step-by-step “premium” guidance for magicians/mentalists like me who want to turn their skills into a professional side hustle. Their content is already amazing, but I’d value courses or advice that go beyond the tricks, covering topics like building a social media presence, advertising, finding and managing clients, and navigating the world of paid magic and mentalism events. Sometimes, a little golden advice on getting started with self-promotion and booking gigs would make all the difference for aspiring performers like me, who want to turn their passion into a meaningful career pursuit.

Back in 2019, I was balancing regular work with my growing love for magic. Every spare minute went into learning, practicing, and performing small tricks for friends and strangers — anywhere I could find an audience. My dream was to become a full-time magician. No backup plan, no “Plan B.” I wanted to live off my passion — perform on stage, create content, and make people believe in real magic again. Now I work a regular job that pays the bills and brings stability. It’s steady, but it doesn’t give the same thrill as performing. Magic still lives in me — it just doesn’t pay the rent right now. Today, my goal is balance. I want to rebuild that fire without losing the stability I’ve gained. Magic is no longer just about fame — it’s about rediscovering that feeling of wonder and connection with people. Time and energy. After long work hours, it’s tough to find the same spark to practice and perform. But the passion never left — it’s just waiting for the right push. Ellusionist has always been about inspiration. If you keep creating tools, effects, and stories that remind us why we fell in love with magic in the first place — that’s the push I need. Sometimes, the right deck or routine can reignite a magician’s soul.