Exploring Life & Business with Matthew Vizio of Honest Deception

Hi Matthew, 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?
After walking inside a local magic shop when I was back in high school, the employee there performed a card trick for me as a demonstration, but that one trick changed everything. The very next day, I went back to the same magic shop, but this time with money to buy any book on magic to learn. I ended up buying my first book on card magic from someone who I’m still good friends with to this day and began my learning. From that moment on, I devoured everything inside the book and would practice every chance I had from after school to the weekend. Once people found “I did magic” I would be asked to perform at tiny functions just to add something different to their event. I was anywhere whether it was a church function, a family home, or some other event. These were my formidable years cutting my teeth and starting to become more and more comfortable performing in front of all kinds of people. I then went onto study at the University of Redlands where I would go to school during the day and continue his sleight-of-hand magic and stand-up comedy at night. After four years of school and magic, he graduated with a double B.A. in Business as well as French. Today, I live in Pasadena, California where he still hones his craft and performs wherever he is needed while still maintaining his membership to The Magic Castle.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I have been fortunate enough to be performing magic for over 20 years, but in that time there has definitely been extreme highs, extreme lows, and a lot in between. There are the gigs that you get called for, mark it in the calendar, but then last minute get canceled for whatever reason or they decided to go in another direction with the entertainment and you won’t be needed. There have also been some events I’ve performed at where the audience just does not want to see magic or be entertained at all and it’s an uphill battle just to get them to smile. The worst cases are when the phone calls or emails simply do not even come in and you don’t have anything lined up in the future and really wonder if it will continue like that. Those are challenging times where your mind plays tricks on you and tries to convince you that maybe you should do something else. However, if you love what you’re doing, it will help you in those times when some things just are not going your way or the way you hoped they would. Thankfully, there has been far more good than bad over the years, but I’ve learned to remain even keel no matter how good or how bad it gets and to always think long term. The wheel keeps spinning and the pendulum swings in both directions.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Honest Deception?
My brand / business if you will is “Honest Deception” and everything I do falls under that moniker. I always incorporate three main elements into my shows consisting of magic, comedy, and sleight-of-hand. Those are the three pillars I believe make a good solid foundation for whatever I may be performing and give the audience a much fuller experience that just a simple trick. I promise to give every person smooth and sophisticated sleight-of-hand, laugh-out-loud comedy, and magic you haven’t seen before – especially in real life. My specialization is in close-up as well as stand-up magic suitable for clubs, restaurants, hospitality suites, or even private residences and for all kinds of people – no matter the event. What sites me apart is the fact that I have over 20 years of experience in performing and for any kind of situation that you can think of. This is also what makes me the most proud – that I am still doing this – even 20 years later. I started this journey back in high school and am able to not only still perform, but make money and have fun even with all that has happened.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories would take place at my grandparents’ family dinner table while growing up. On Christmas day, there would be relatives from all over coming to the house and have a huge Italian Christmas dinner together. There would be salads, breads, cheeses, pasta, cold cuts, and roasts all spread out for what looked like a mile. It was after the family Christmas dinner was over and the table was cleared, when playing cards and poker chips would then come out for everyone to play together with. Even when I was too young to play, I would walk around the table watching everyone holding their cards, reminiscing about the past, and playing poker well into the night. Watching the card being dealt and everyone playing together really fascinated me and I could not get enough of it. It was here and at the table where I loved being and really fell in love with playing cards and with what they can do for fun.