Today we’d like to introduce you to James Taggart.
James, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began having people comment about my similar look to Daniel Craig after he did his first Bond film, Casino Royale in 2006. I had never had professional photography done and only saw my face straight on and never saw the resemblance. After Daniel Craig’s second Bond film, Quantum of Solace, the comments became even more numerous until one day I had three people in the span of ninety minutes all tell me I look like James Bond.
I called my college roommate immediately as he was and still is a very successful actor. He suggested I have some photos done for both the lookalike potential but also because Disney and Universal are close to where I live and they are always looking for the “dad” type.
I took his advice and then upon doing research, saw what people were seeing in me when I looked at some of my photographs. There is one photograph of Daniel Craig that actually looks more like me than him. It was a bit bizarre.
I took some of my pictures and sent them to an agency who specializes in lookalike work and they hired me. I worked that first event and met others who were working in this field and they shared some great stories of success, fun and neat opportunities.
I purchased my domain and had a website built and my business immediately took off. I am fortunate to be in such a specialized arena that there are probably less than twenty James Bond impersonators worldwide and only a fraction of those are Daniel Craig versions.
My business grows each year as past clients hire me because I love what I do and this comes across to everyone. I expand my skills as well and am an expert using an ear prompter. I do a very technical twelve-minute presentation for my best client and they are able to write a script that touches upon everything they wish to have conveyed to their prospect. I then deliver that presentation word for word, sometimes more than twenty times per day at trade shows around the world.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been very smooth. This is not to say that there are not challenges, but no business is challenge-free.
The most difficult part of what I do is when I have been approached by one client and have a specific date on hold for them and then I receive a second inquiry for the same date. I have to press my first client to confirm or release me so I can then send a proposal to the other client. This is annoying, but if this is my biggest issue, and it is, I am truly fortunate to be doing what I do.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the 007now.com story. Tell us more about the business.
I become James Bond for companies in any capacity they hire me for.
My clients love hiring me for trade shows because I draw enormous attention and put their prospect in an incredibly receptive state to hear their business message.
I also host and emcee corporate award ceremonies, charity fundraisers, corporate parties and private events. I do Meet & Greets, product rollouts, new store openings, commercials and internet videos. I am known for my look, my professionalism, my tireless work ethic and my focus on becoming a revenue producing asset for my client.
I am most proud of the fact that my clients continue to hire me again and again and the fact that I have forty-five reviews of my services on my Gig Salad site. These reviews are from all over the world and everyone is five stars. It confirms to a new client that there is no risk in hiring me and they are going to love how I represent them.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
More than anything I am lucky to have my health. Everything in my life is better because I have my health. I am also lucky to be a single dad of my amazing fourteen-year-old son, Liam. He has been the ultimate gift of my life and he and I are both lucky to have this business along with the many wonderful opportunities it gives both of us.
I haven’t had any bad luck so I can’t answer that part. It is good luck for me that a man named Daniel Craig has had phenomenal success as an actor and even more good luck that my look is so similar to his.
Contact Info:
- Website: 007now.com
- Phone: 407 310-4264
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/jamestaggart007
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestDanielCraigDouble/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bestdancraigdbl
- Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp51eiZlFTc&t=10s
- Other: https://www.gigsalad.com/promokit/reviews
Image Credit:
Michael Cairns
Chris Gillyard
Thomas Bender
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
