Since we have a few days left of being able to do this I thought I'd throw this out there as a question.

Every business has obstacles. Every market has barriers to entry. I am not talking about those generally.

I mean in your own personal experience what is the largest obstacle you face to have the success you would like? And why is it you think it is impossible to get past?

Me personally I tend to focus too much on one thing. I have a tendency to be myopic. I get complacent quickly. I don't enjoy the business aspect of show business at all so I try to farm that out as much as possible. I then tend to rely too much on others instead of myself.

In reality these things have not held me back too much. But they are things I could certainly improve, which is the point of the question.

Out of curiosity, why are these more recent topics framed as "now that we're allowed to do this" or "only a few days left to do this"--is there some deadline around these topics that I'm missing?

Might be easier if we stay on the actual topic. Maybe a different thread asking that? Might be more productive way to go about things. This way we don't get derailed and such.

Do you have business obstacles?

I have many!!!!

I know the feeling.

Worse yet is I have many, and ignore them! Or I THINK I am fixing them, but not so much.

Jokes aside (Yea jokes LOL.) the point in doing this is that you have to identify problems prior to being able to fix them.

I think this is a great point. In the early to mid stages of our business and careers I feel there are things, obstacles that we incur that we have to first understand them, why they exist, how the are preventing or being prohibitive, then seek a remedy. Identifying that it is problematic and /or holding you back is huge. You have to be able to see it and think objectively. With a long-term vision. Then find a solution.

Then there are the things that may not hold you back but could help or improve your business, possibly certain aspects of your business such as revenue and cash flow, profitability, positioning, working on your business instead of in your business, and so on.

Most run and operate from their initial default or starting mentality and position. Few see beyond that to look to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Me, in the beginning, tried to do everything myself. Starting as the young age we did, it made our parents have to be our managers. They were terrible. They knew nothing about show business or entertainment business. Luckily, I had some mentors that made my parents realize they didn't know crap. When I was sixteen, I had the task of firing my parents! (Not recommended!) Then after two years of trying different managers, each with a different visions and approach to us, which differed from our desired vision, when I turned eighteen I took over all business aspects - management, operations, production, creative and writing, marketing, sales, and every aspect of representing us (Agent) and day to day admin and operation. I created systems and structure that were the foundation of what I still use each day in my businesses.

So early on I became comfortable with doing it all myself. I trusted no one else and up to that point everyone let us down. Once I took over, after some initial rough spots (helped through by several key mentors of mine) things began to work smoothly, then flawlessly, then becoming what I use and teach today. It was hard for me to let go and eventually hire and train others, but I understood it what was needed to take us from local to regional and eventually to nationally. I still kept control but from an admin and overseer position, rather than a do-it-all-myself position.

Obstacles still come up and exist but now they are coming up within our structure and systems which makes them so much easier and am world of difference to deal with. Trusting others, and not questioning them once they are properly trained and knowledgeable has been a key.

This made all the difference in the world. I learned the business from my mentors. Once done we together created the structure and systems based on my very specific requirements and parameters. As I have said before, this information wasn't available anywhere and still isn't to this day other than from me and my resources.

Next, market specialization was another major obstacle, which I didn't realize for a long time, but once it was figured out made a huge difference. I may get back to this after some other chime in.

Great topic!

I am formulating a business plan for a form of entertainment that has never existed before!

Nice.

What is the biggest obstacle to my success? ...My wife and family!

However, they are also the key to my success!

This is probably not the answer you were expecting but let me explain.

I got married early, at 21 years old. 7 years later I found myself with 2 children and a ton of RESPONSIBILITIES! I didn’t feel I could do what I wanted, take chances, and spend money on some silly dream of being a magician.

I have heard of some people who have had very successful careers while raising while raising a family. But look at the Hollywood divorce rate. It’s a great risk! I chose not to take that risk. So, I stopped perusing Cruise ship gigs, casino gigs, TV appearances, etc. In short, I stopped trying to be David Copperfield!

The reason why this is also the key to my success should be obvious. Because of my responsibilities and my desire to provide a nice life for my family. I found a happy balance of pursuing what I loved to do, making decent money, and spending time with my family.

This is why the kid show market became so appealing to me, especially the school assembly market. I could bring home good pay and be home at 3pm to help my kids with their homework and have dinner with my family. Nighttime shows are rare in the kid show market, and a gig that required an overnight stay was out of the question.

I don’t regret this decision at all. In fact, I’m very happy with my life. But I can't help to wonder sometimes if I could have been David Copperfield. LOL

I know quite a few in that exact position. It is enviable.

I think Ken's post and position is very admirable. I can really respect this especially coming from a 21-year-old just starting out with career, family, kids and responsibility. This is the way to go. Performing makes it all possible.

I also think creating and formulating a plan as a performer and entertainment business owners is one of the greatest benefits to what we do. I had to pretty much do the exact same thing. As a very young, single father I specifically formulated a system that allowed me to be a full-time performer, an entertainment agency owner, and an on-air radio personality (for health insurance purposes primarily, and business promotion opportunities) that was able to be crafted around my schedule so I could be there for my daughter when she woke up and got her off to school, and was able to be there to pick her up from school each day from Kindergarten on. Later, retiring from radio and replacing it with coaching/consulting allowed this to thrive even more.

It worked perfectly. I can not think of any other career or profession that would allow me to do this and live the lifestyle level I wanted and we were accustomed to. This is also, as Ken pointed out, the greatest and most overlooked benefit of working the K-12 school market.

As life progressed, it went even further when my daughter upon graduating went on the road with me for a decade and a half creating an even greater experience and relationship while traveling and seeing America from coast to coast, and Hawaii.

This is why I have a problem when you hear guys complain about trying to perform while having a wife and full-time job. It's very doable and can be crafted around your personal specifications with the proper effort, understanding, and perspective.

Good job Ken!

I have seen many problems folks have by not knowing their place. Yes it is popular to believe everyone is equal and it is all about the tricks and that the only thing holding anyone back is finding the right trick or having their break happen.

Not knowing your actual place is terrible for you. I know people who try to punch above their weight and they make themselves look silly. They are encouraged to "fake it till you make it" and get caught being a fake. Then they slide down again and try to do the same thing. Knowing where you fit in is important.

I also have a friend who thinks he is LESS than he should be! This can be quite detrimental to a career as well. It creates an environment that is just not conducive to making as much money as he should.

Having a realistic knowledge of what you can and do provide is essential.

I agree but so many people can't see this realistic knowledge. Magic is just as full of delusions as it is illusions. Operating from a place of complete honesty is so crucial but it takes taking yourself out of your own head to deal with what is actually real.

A Man's got to know his limitations!!!!

I've been following these threads, but, since I don't have a magic business, I didn't want to inflict my opinions. However (there's always a however)...

Thinking back to when I was a 19-year-old wanting to perform in Vegas, what comes to mind more than anything is excuses. Sure I had obstacles, but it would have been so easy to turn them into excuses.

For instance, my parents didn't support my wanting to do that. Wahhh. They wanted me to go to college and have a real career. So what did I do? I plowed through it.

For instance, I wanted a full-dress suit for my act but couldn't afford one by myself. Wahhh. So I ended up compromising with them and asking for "half the suit" as a birthday present.

For instance... you get the idea. It's so easy to turn obstacles into excuses.

Okay, I'll back out now.

You don’t think stage design is a business?

It yes easier to make excuses than put in work for certain. Excuses are instant gratification.

Stage design is a business, all right. But I said I don't have a magic business.

It is certainly related!

I agree. Stage design, set design, even costume design are all direct components to having a performing or magic business. Also, I work with many other types of entertainment businesses, some that aren't magicians at all, such as game hosts and companies, dress-up parties, bounce house businesses, party planning businesses and stores, costumed characters, arts & crafts parties, amusements/rides, petting zoos/animal rides, and so on.

These are all entertainment businesses. The one thing they all have is experience to share. They know and work the market, and their daily efforts are in the industry. Also there are many that aren't in the business yet but are here to gain knowledge, insight, and education from those that are in different capacities.

I have found your insights very valuable here and your years of real-world, hands-on experience, and current position shows.

I tell you this, entertainment is FAR MORE than just being able to entertain. The supporting arts are incredibly important. A good tech guy can make a mediocre performer seem spectacular. A mediocre tech can make a spectacular act seem mediocre. It is all relevant to performance of magic. Stage and set and costume design are an integral part of performance and relate DIRECTLY to the business of same.

George you do indeed have a magic business. Just a different branch on the tree is all.