Today we’d like to introduce you to Manny D’mago
Hi Manny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Fascination with magic for me started at seven years old, beginning with a mysterious man who would sit in a fire escape everyday drawing pictures. One day, he asked me if I wanted to see a magic trick; my curiosity took over and I said yes!
After showing me the trick, I was so amazed, that I pestered the man for seven days straight and day after day I heard “NO” and “GO AWAY” but I persisted. He sometimes would climb up the fire escape to hide from me, but I would always find him.
On the seventh day, I brought him some coffee from the local donut shop and he taught me how he did it and made me swear that I would never tell anyone how it’s done. I was so excited, I showed my grandfather and his jaw hit the floor, never thinking a little seven year old could fool him.
My grandfather was so excited for me, he introduced me to the Tonight show with Johnny Carson, as he performed his comedy mentalist routine of the great “Karnack.” He also showed me David Copperfield and Lance Burtons’ TV specials which I found absolutely fascinating. In 1997, we shared one last magic TV special, David Blaine’s “Street Magic” which totally solidified my desires to amaze everyone with magic. We would frequently make pilgrimages to the magic shop on Hollywood Blvd to buy whatever I could.
In late 1997, my grandfather died in front of me, landing in my arms as he fell down in his ascension to heaven from a brain aneurism and no amount of magic was able to bring him back…I was devastated and fell out of love with magic for almost a decade.
Fast forward a few years, and I was in Santa Cruz, California for some surfing when one flat day, I was was walking around the boardwalk when I had an encounter with a young man who asked “psst, come here…wanna see some magic?” The interaction resembled something like a back alley drug deal and I was addicted once again. I bought anything I could afford, reconciling with an estranged love from my past, magic.
A couple of years later, after a rejection from America’s got Talent, season 17 and 15 seconds of screen time on NBC, I went full blown into magic again. I starting doing birthday parties, weddings, corporate events, and any kind of function you could name.
Today, my magic has taken me to places across the country and I have performed at wide range of venues for countless people, including radio stations, congressman and women, senators, the LA county Sheriff and the chief of police of the LAPD. I’ve since incorporated an LLC and launched my website and even have a YELP page with rave reviews!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I read in a book somewhere a saying that has resonated with me since I discovered it and it’s this: “the elevator to success is out of order, you’ll have to take the stairs!”
The road to success has definitely not been easy and smooth because climbing up those stairs can be exhausting and sometimes depressing. Take for example my appearance on season 17 of America’s Got Talent: I went on stage before the judges on national TV and was rejected, big fat red buzzer and all. For a few days I felt that I had failed and after those 2 or 3 days, I said to myself, “I made it on screen and got time in front of America, that counts for something!”
So I used it as fuel and supercharged my desire to succeed even more. I kept promoting my brand of magic and now I book countless gigs and am frequently having to turn down prospects due to unavailability, I’ve even performed in Las Vegas a few times for a couple of upscale clubs.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional magician specializing in making magical memories for all my prospective clients, and being known for a guaranteed amazing experience when one books a show with Manny D’Mago Magic!
I believe what sets me apart from the rest out there is that not only am I performing magic for any and all age groups, I also perform my magic experiences in Spanish, ensuring that those who cannot speak our native tongue can still understand the universal language of magic and have a wonderful magic memory to go home with and brag about!
Another thing that sets me apart is my willingness to bring the luxury of a high-end, high-value magic experience to anywhere you maybe, whether its your back yard or your personal yacht and everything in between. One is guaranteed to have the most magnificent magic experience possible!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I’m a firm believer in defining success as being rich in time, not necessarily just money. Sure money is good too, but it’s just an end to the means which means: “I can do whatever I want whenever I want!” Having the time to travel, lounge at the beach with a good book, being with my family, or spend hours at the gym or at a magic convention without having to worry about money or time is a definite WIN in my book.
Time is the ultimate investment because its the only thing one cannot get a refund on and if invested correctly, one can get a hearty return! Spending time with the ones you love is truly priceless considering our life on this floating rock is truly limited.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mannydmagomagic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannydmago/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Manny-DMago/pfbid02EHqjvgqWBdZEMdw8SetWdSoYroECB7bAbhbHyoziLEc2HDfRwomY7YJADDoDkNyal/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mannydmago
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS4oEVNqOlSfkA7qYtsEGxQ
- Yelp: https://www.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
