Today we’d like to introduce you to Manny D’mago
Hi Manny, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My magic journey started at seven years old, sparked by a mysterious old man in a fire escape who drew life like drawings of still objects and people. He showed me an amazing card trick that I never forgot. After I pestered him for seven days straight, he revealed the inner workings and I still perform that trick today as part of repertoire and of course I’ve enhanced and evolved it a bit to make it even more unbelievable.
My grandfather, who’s mind was blown when I showed off what I learned, shared his love of magic by exposing me to the likes of Johnny Carson, Lance Burton, David Copperfield and by 1997 before my grandpa left this plane of existence, David Blaine and his street magic specials.
After his passing in late October of 1997, I fell off my magical wagon a while because of the traumatic experience, but like learning to ride a bicycle, magic stuck with me and followed me into my 20’s and 30’s.
A few years later, responsibility for regniting the spark in my magical vision was another mysterious character in the form of some young guy in a scenario resembling a back alley drug-deal. He was demonstrating a trick he was selling out of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk magic shop and after that, like a drug, I relapsed back into magic without looking back.
A couple of years later I set my sights for TV and decided to audition for America’s Got Talent on NBC. The producers loved my act and got a chance to go before judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandell, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara.
I was fortunate to get some screen time and ultimately was rejected because I freaked everyone out with my act. Those 15 seconds accompanied by a rejection on live TV probably would have devastated anyone, but I used it a fuel to charge forward into the future to start performing for countless parties, corporate events, charity events, galas of all sorts and start my own magic company.
Now, I take reservations for all types of prospects, mostly from very high-end clientele and of course, everything in between including family and children’s parties, including lots of philanthropy between sets as a way of never forgetting my roots…performing on the streets for anyone and everyone!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to success is never a paved, smooth road. There’s lots of bumps along the path and learning to navigate is part of the journey.
I’ve read in many books about business and philosophy that every challenge and failure is to be praised and celebrated because they all have a prize. It’s called knowledge and experience, and that has had such a tremendous impact on me. Much of my clients who book a magical experience with me, (it’s not a show), have all taught me something when it comes to my business.
Every prospect has shown me ways of dealing with the business of entertainment, whether it’s been handling transactions, scheduling, customer service, etc., each and everyone of these interactions have been enlightening. Even my rejection from TV to my traumatic experience with my grandpa’s passing served me as a burning desire to keep moving forward.
I haven’t looked back since.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an entrepreneur entertainer, specializing in the art prestigious magic presentations with a touch of class!
When a prospect books a magic show with Manny D’Mago Magic, you’re not just booking another cookie cutter, run of the mill magician. You’re booking a premium experience filled with thrills, joy, laughter, mystery, awe and excitement. Like a finely tuned super-car, folks who book an experience with me prepare for trip unlike any other.
I can say that lots of my prospects are surprised when I bring my set over to their venue, whether it’s a local park, their back yard or even inside their homes or mansions, I make it so they feel like they’re fully enveloped into an elegant, 5-star upscale, magic castle-esc presentation and I’m very proud of the fact that people genuinely enjoy every second of the experience.
What really sets me apart, according to my all my satisfied clients is being a Latino magician with lots of dedication to my craft and attention to detail, making sure I give 110%, remembering to always have my audience participate in almost every act giving more of an authentic magical experience!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe having the ability to adapt, be charming, and relatable to anyone and everyone is something that has definitely contributed to my success.
I often like to think that I can go anywhere and perform magic to anyone. I’ve tested my theory and have been successful in every attempt because it’s true that art can transcend language barriers. I’ve traveled around the world and performed for people in the streets of countries like Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, and Thailand just to name a few. The best part? Everyone of the folks in different countries react with the grandest glow of astonishment. I love it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mannydmagomagic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannydmago/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61566638612336/
- Twitter: https://x.com/mannydmago?mx=2
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCS4oEVNqOlSfkA7qYtsEGxQ
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/manny-d-mago-magic-san-fernando-valley
- Other: https://www.magician.org/member/mannydmago
Image Credits
Manny D’Mago Entertainment, LLC,
Zaurit Gordillo
