Greetings to all.

Where should one begin with an introduction?
I guess I would start with my beginning interest in magic.
I was around ten so that would be about 43 years ago.

I did not have much exposure. Two TV stations did not offer too much.
I absorbed every performance of magic I could see.

When I was 11 I visited a magic shop for the first time.
I left with a paddle, all I could afford.

I practiced every day with that *** little thing until one day I knew I had it.

I began doing kids parties at 12 and it wasn’t the balloon animals. It wasn’t the
card tricks. It was the paddle that had them, kids and adults, amazed.
I literally saw jaws drop on adults and as a kid performing, ***.

I was on my way home from a party; made ten bucks, and had a bike accident.
Fell on my right wrist. Looked mostly ok, a bit of swelling but then it started.

My fingers would lock up in certain positions. Positions often needed for palming, especially with
my tiny hands, which to today are too *** small.

I could no longer manipulate the paddle correctly.

As a kid I went into self pity mode and turned my back on performance of magic.

My interest never went away and it has remained a hobby for many years. But mostly just for me.
I have only recently begun to perform for friends again.

I became a serial entrepreneur after uni and have owned retail stores, coffee houses, restaurants, lounges and bars. Thankfully long behind me.
I now enjoy a mostly retired life here in Mexico.

I at the same time had established a separate career in marketing. Combined with my years of hypnosis study, therapeutic not stage, I became somewhat in demand to the larger agencies. I understood how to trigger emotions in the consumer. I would sub to them on projects that their in-house crew were not really suited for and saved a few product manager’s asses in that time.

A couple of years ago I came across the Café. As a lurker I have gained so much insight from reading years of posts. So many of you offer your experience freely to help others.

I am a big fan of the law of reciprocity. I have been given so much in the Café that I want to give back but have little to offer in the field of magic. I do have however the experience gained in 25 years of marketing. If you have any questions related to marketing your act feel free to ask. I have no experience in marketing magic specifically, I will learn more on that, but after over two decades writing copy and creating brands I am sure I have something you can take from.

My best to all and thank you for having me.

Dale

Welcome to the Café! Hope you enjoy your stay!

Welcome Dale,

What sort of Magic are you performing for Family and Friends now?

I like your willingness to help others being a part of your intro.

I'll look for you inTable Hoppers and Party Strollers.

Having lurked for a while, I'm sure you have your favorite haunts and you know the cast of characters.

Have fun.

-Mary Mowder

Tally and Mary, thanks for the welcome.

Mary, right now I'm doing mostly some cards, mentalism and just learning some rope.
I've learned that much can be done as long as I am aware of the limitations in my right hand.
It certainly doesn't hold me back like I thought it would.

One warning to those new or returning. Buy a decent deck of cards. I picked up a couple of cheap decks to practice with only to become discouraged.
I then found out it wasn't always me that was the problem. The quality of the cards make a huge difference.

Dale

Wow what a story to tell.
I think it would make a neat intro?