Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Sacco.
AJ, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story is pretty typical of a magician. I got my first magic kit when I was 5, kept at it, and picked up a job in a magic shop in high school. I worked there for 4 years, and when I left I pretty much had a degree in magic performance.
I graduated college with a Major in Cultural Studies and a minor in Jazz performance. I always intended to be a rockstar writing protest songs. But something about my nasally midwestern voice, my crippling ability to only write emo lyrics, and living in a city with 3.3 million guitarists said it wasn’t in the cards. So I got lost in the service industry for a decade and honed my customer service skills. Just as I was setting myself up for a lifetime in high-end food and beverage, I got fired…on my 30th birthday.
After that, I spent about 6 months absorbing every audiobook, podcast, and YouTube tutorial on running an entertainment business. I connected with some mentors who helped keep me on track and accountable, and I still speak with them every week, 4 years into this journey. I gave myself a Millennial Master’s degree in the business of show business.
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?
Not everyone takes you seriously when you tell them you’re a professional magician. My Dad, for instance, wasn’t too happy with my decision. He piped down after I showed him my numbers the second year.
The initial setup was a daunting task. I was spending 60-80 hours a week teaching myself website construction, video editing, SEO, copywriting, bookkeeping, advertising, prospecting, design, sales, CRM management, and everything else. Every week I made impossible TO DO lists, and drank myself sick with coffee.
I have some big irons in the fire; so as long as I keep a thick skin, stay healthy, and focus forward; I can maneuver any obstacle or hindrance that presents itself.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m an extremely diverse performer. What separates me from the pack of the other talented magicians in Chicago is that I’m accomplished and recognized across several niche markets, so I am able to perform for many audiences. They say the death of all entertainers is to be one for all occasions; but I’ve been performing magic for over 20 years; and I get a different satisfaction from different audiences. I’m unable to be content just performing for one demographic.
I essentially run 3 separate businesses selling different forms of magic. My ability to develop instant rapport and my unparalleled sleight of hand skills are the product for my private and corporate entertainment. I have a unique style blended of spoken word, absurdity, and sleight of hand that helped shape this increasingly successful cabaret show in Wicker Park, which we sell to the weird and wild crowd. Lastly, nothing gives me a bigger dopamine rush, or feeds my rockstar ego more than having 200 children screaming uncontrollably as you create memories 99% of them will never forget. Nearly everyone remembers the first time they saw a magician. And I strive to be the best children’s entertainer I can be. Set the bar high for the young ones. Set them up for a life of joy and wonder.
What were you like growing up?
My family moved fairly often, so I naturally made friends through shared interests; mainly inline skating. I skated about 4-6 hours a day from 5th grade until I turned 16. Once I got my driver’s license, I never once put my skates on again. It was weird. I despised video games; still do. I got a Gameboy in Kindergarten for Christmas, and within a week I had given it to my sister. I had friends, I swear.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1471 W Grand Ave
- Website: www.AJSacco.com (corporate & private events) / www.MysterAJ.com (children’s magic) / www.Vaudevilletheshow.com (cabaret & sideshow)
- Phone: 224.627.2279
- Email: theajsacco@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ajthesac
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aj-sacco-chicago
Image Credit:
Greg Bell
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