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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Being inspired by the current "pet peeves" thread and Mary's suggestion to have a more positive thread, here we go! The fact is that there is so much to be grateful for and so much opportunity out there that it's hardly worth our time and effort to complain about the negatives (even though it can be more fun to complain).
I'll start: This business has transformed my life. I don't have to work a "job", I get to do what I love, my wife can stay home to help nurture and raise our children (while running her own small business), and I'm sitting home today because I'm taking the summer months off to relax and enjoy time with the family. I have so much to be grateful for. Wouldn't trade it for anything. What is the best part for you? Let's have a thread that is positive an will inspire others. |
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MrHyde Special user 810 Posts |
Employee of the Month - every time!
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
You hit it on the head Scott - control of your professional life, which leads to the same in your personal life, doing what you love, and entertaining people to make them enjoy themselves and escape their problems, if at least for a while.
I too just came in from going for a walk and a dip in the pool (it's 105 degrees in Vegas today) and am enjoying my summer off (okay I took three gigs of longtime clients - it's hard to say no) and looking forward to the fall when things start back up again. The places I've traveled to, the people I've met, working when I want...to me it's all about happiness, staying healthy and having control. Good thread Scott. |
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MikeHMagic Inner circle 1007 Posts |
I like setting my own hours...but my boss is a jerk! LOL
Mike "Gus" Harvatt
"Bullwinkle that trick never works." |
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
To me it's getting my "annual review" every day. When a kid comes up to you with that glow in his eyes and tells you your the "bestest magishun," and whe the adult hands you your check and books you for another show. That's success. I never felt successful when working for others, even with great reviews and good bonuses, but I do now, every show.
Paddy |
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tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
I love the travel. Right now I'm at an extended run at the ocean, entertaining vacationers. A paycheck to play and a hotel on the beach - life is sweet.
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Great everyone. Keep 'em coming!
I'll add a couple more (and I invite you to contribute more as well): I get the joy and satisfaction of helping others. I am also a speaker and trainer for corporations and I have a business coaching other small business people to grow and succeed with their business. I love knowing that I am contributing to other people's lives! I really love that people are happy and excited when they see me. I had a past working life as a auto dealership service manager and people only asked to see me if there were massive problems. While I learned quickly to diffuse angry customers, I much prefer seeing people smile when they do business with me! There really are so many things I could list. What do you love about this business? Let's hear from more people as well. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Owning my own business to me means that I can refuse to do any job that I want to without getting a bad review from the boss.
The second thing I like is the short hours, and big pay checks. The third thing I like is that I am a senior citizen, and performing works for me just like the pension that I don't have. The fourth thing is I love the action. The fifth thing I like about my job is that attractive women talk to me as if I was someone important. The sixth thing is every once in a while little kids stop me at the mall, and say "mommy he is the magician that I saw at Johnny's party"
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
For that 45 minutes on stage ......
The world is a better place, for the audinece when they smile and laugh, think and feel for me that they allowed me to accompany them on that journey
Unique, Thought Provoking & Amazing Magical Entertainment Experiences
Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Thanks for the mention Scott but I was referring to Acecardition's Thread in food for thought. "What do you really love?"
I don't know how to post a link but here's his original post. Check it out as well as here. Quote: On 2010-05-20 16:47, Acecardician wrote: |
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Well if I may get a bit personal with you I will share this.
13 years ago I took the leap of faith to make magic my full time job. I was married and just found out we were pregnant! my daughter was born and just six months later my wife packed up and left both me and my daughter! Ihave been raising my duaghter for the past 12 years on my own Magic has allowed me to raise my daughter! if I had still been working the 50-60 job I was doing before I would never had seen my daughter but with magic I have been able to travel this great country and bring her with me from Montana to Purto Rico I am trully blessed to have her in my life and we have so much fun in life becasue of being a full time magician for the past 12 years! but there is more. 3 years ago I began to Lose my hearing and had to get hearing aids but funtioned fine however last year I became profoundly Deaf! I will admit I lost a little bit of my hope and my joy but family and friends and looking at hte beautiful face of my daughter I worked hard real hard to be able ot put on my full stage illusion show even though I am now profoundly deaf. I have learned signlanguage and embrassing my deafness and once agiain it is magic that is allowing me to be inthe drivers seat and to continue to do something I love so much- entertain others. sorry to be so personal but I really wanted you to understand why I love magic and how it trully has blessed me. sure its hard work at times but the fact th at I get to make breakfast in the morning and tuck her in at night is something I will always treasure. the only think I cant do is hear! sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Mary, you're still my inspiration!
Thank you for the personal shares everyone. Sam, you spoke from the heart and that is so valuable to all of us. Thanks! My hope is that someone will get the inspiration through this thread to make this their life. Someone reading this thread right now is hating their job and many areas of their life. I too was one of those people who thought I was "stuck" in my job I hated and that it simply was not possible to perform full-time (after being told for a dozen years by my parents as just one reason why I felt that). I know it is possible and I know that many people are loving the change that it has made for them. We've already seen examples. Are their challenges? Of course. However, when you think about the benefits, the challenges seem to become so much smaller in comparison. Thus why a topic like this is so important IMO. |
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Yea, one of the things I like about being a Magician is it's harder to tell if you're unemployed.
- Mary |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
One thing I liked about being an entertainer, was that I had the freedom in my schedule this past week to visit my Dad in the hospital while he underwent some heart surgery (unexpected emergency). If I had a full time job, I might not have had the same flexibility with my schedule.
Also, I love the kids / my audiences. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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MagicalDuda New user Ontario, Canada 73 Posts |
I Love the fact that I am making little Johny's 8th Birthday Party one to remember for the rest of his life!
I am 25 years old, and still remember my 8th birthday party , where my parents surprised me with a magician. I have just started performing magic for children on a regular basis. every weekend I have been getting shows, and I hope it picks up even more, so I can quit my full time (night shift) job. I love magic, I love seeing each and every kids reactions, I love making the kids laugh, and seeing the parents entertained. I love that the kids see me as a big kid, and not an adult they may be intimidated by. I love hearing the kids yell out how cool I am, One of my favourites - I had a very annoying kid yelling out the explanation of the tricks every time I did one (whether they are right or wrong) then one particular trick he yells out... "woww.... now I believe in magic!!!" I love taking care of my bunny and doves!! I love it ALL! any tips on making it my full time careeer? lol
>>Magical Duda<<
www.magicalduda.com |
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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
I dropped out of school after the 8th grade to start performing full time -- I did that until I was in my early-20s and then I was burned out. What was the problem? Looking back I see that I knew nothing about marketing -- what I thought was, "Do a great show and word of mouth will do the rest!" Pfft. I had no idea the "business" part of "show business" was actually important.
That was 20-some years ago and in the last 2-3 years I've thought (more than once) that I should get back into performing, but honestly, the thought of making that leap is really scary. Your posts here in this thread are inspiring me to give it another go -- thanks!. (But it's still scary.) Jay Jennings
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-07-05 00:50, MagicalDuda wrote: YES!! The most important thing is to get Jim Snacks course called "Success In Magic." He is a valued member on the Café and his advice is really golden. Seriously this course paid for itself within 6 months after I got it and now with business down due to the tight money I find myself using it over and over and still learning and making money due to following Jim's advice. If you want to make magic in today's market speak to Jim and get his course. Paddy |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
With so much misery in the world, work politics, government politics, and so much stress in everyday life, just trying to make ends meet, the best thing about being a children entertainer is that all this is GOING!
There is laughter, there are many happy faces, and you the entertainer has made an impact on someone's life in a positive way. There cannot be a price placed on giving so much happiness, and in turn, you get an abundance of this happiness back! You want happiness? Then give it, and watch the dividends return.
Dennis Michael
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
After a 20 year hiatus from magic I caught the 'bug' again 16 years ago. At the time I was working a job that paid very well and offered some variety. However, I would come home many a night and talk about the monotony of it and my lack of interest. I really wanted to try magic as a business. However, that wasn't something a man with a family and a mortgage would do.
In 2002 that job left ME. The next job was in a different industry, but still didn't capture my passion. That job ended after a year and a half. That's when I made the leap into full-time performing. Was it a struggle? Oh yeah. Did I love it? OH Yeah!! This is a great business. I do the things I love and I do the things that are necessary. It's still work, but its work that I can have passion for. Every time I go to perform, I know there will be people waiting there with smiles on their faces to see me. I get to have fun at work and bring enjoyment to others. That's a wonderful thing. Are there challenges? Plenty. But I get to define the challenge and design the solution. In the end, every dollar that come in is a direct result of my efforts. That's very satisfying. Although I don't take my summers off -- that's actually my busier time of the year -- I do get plenty of time to spend with my family. I can be here during the day and go fishing with my son, or build a giant 8' x 50' slip-n'-slide as we did a last Thursday. I couldn't do that if I was working 9 to 5.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Great additions everyone!
The ideal situation or formula for YOUR business may look very different from another person's. I have young kids so I value my summer off while others work the summer hard because that's where their clients hire them most. Some want to experience the joy of helping to celebrate a child's birthday party while others want to tour the world with an illusion show. Some value earning huge dollars while others enjoy a modest income but with more personal freedom and time. There is no "right" or "wrong" formula but, rather, the right formula for YOU! I love the freedom of choosing how I want to design my business (around my values). How to make a living? Well, there is a reason that the word "business" is the longest word in the phrase "show business". Even the best performer will have a major challenge ahead of them to make a living if they don't have a grasp on the business end. Business I consider a big passion of mine. I actually got hooked on business and marketing when I was 13 years old and got the cassette tape "Selling Your Act" by Brian Flora. As a kid, I bought up all of the Flora tapes, took business courses at the local college, earned my University degree in Commerce (majoring in marketing and small business entrepreneurship), and work in the marketing departments of companies in the auto and insurance industries. However, I consider my greatest education to come as the result of building my own business: in creating goals, creating plans, taking massive action to implement the plans, then learning from the results (positive or negative results). You can learn from all the courses around but the true education will come from trying out the strategies to see what will actually work for you and your ideal business outcome. I've had a PM messages but I will offer this here to those reading this thread: If you are serious about launching or growing business and think coaching may help, PM me and I will give you a free business coaching session and 1/2 off the first month. Visit here to learn more: http://www.amazingcompanyevents.com/resources.php. |
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