We recently connected with John Reid and have shared our conversation below.
John, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?
I’m a big supporter of the idea that the strength of your team determines your business’ success. My team has grown and shifted over the 30 years I’ve been in business, but the interconnectedness between all of us has been sustained. When I look at my team, I realize that the most important thing for me is their character. Above even their skill at whatever their job is, if my team member is a good person who tries their best, communicates well, and shows good character, they can quickly become an integral part of my life. Because I have so few employees, we really do become more like a family. For example, most of my employees who I brought on to help out with my magic company also end up helping with my balloon, foam party, and magic supply companies as well. I make sure to get to know everyone I work with as a person, so I can learn how to best support them! Really, in both my team building and my business in general, I put a huge emphasis on people- knowing them as individuals and building positive relationships, whether they work for me or I work for them! Some of my team members are even my literal family- my goddaughter is my media manager and CSO (chief sanity officer- we have fun). If I could change anything, I’d make sure that each and every person who has ever worked for me knows how much I value the work they do. When we start to get busy, I can sometimes lose sight of how much work is going on behind the scenes. If I could go back, I’d take the time to appreciate all the work people do!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started out in magic with a Fischer price magic set from my granny. I was four years old. For years, I was nervous about performing, so instead, I learned everything I could on my own and didn’t start performing until late into high school. That’s when I realized that people actually love it. Then, I heard about Tannen’s Magic Camp. I found a way to go, and kept going. Now I’m a counselor there every year, but from that first moment on, it was my life. I’ve been teaching magic for over 30 years now. Magic is my life.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’m sure I’m one of thousands of business owners who would say this, but in 2020, everything changed. My magic company, Tricky Business, used to have a couple of storefront locations on Long Island in New York. When COVID-19 hit, we had to completely change direction. I started teaching online magic classes, using programs like Magic Explorers and Discover Magic to try to continue to make a difference in the lives of passionate young magicians. Teaching behind a zoom screen is not for the weak, and now that I’ve gone through that time of my life and my business, I am more confident in what we represent. The three keys of magic that I teach in my programs are (1) give your best (2) think of others and (3) make it fun. I had to remind myself to do these things as I was teaching them to my students, and it overall changed my company for the better! Now that COVID has died down, I’m back to teaching magic courses across the New York Metro area. I’m back to making meaningful, in-person connections with school districts, libraries, scout clubs, and day/summer camps, and I couldn’t have done any of it if I hadn’t adapted to the changes that COVID forced upon us.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I’ve said this a million times, and I’ll say it a million more: the biggest game-changer is making connections with your clients (and employees!) as individuals. They’re not just a means to a lucrative end… they’re people. Acknowledging that they’re so much more than a paycheck really does make a difference. People who feel valued by the service you’re providing are more likely to spread the word about your business, and that will lead to more people, more connections, and overall, more smiles! My mission in life, as you can see on most of my websites, is to create 10 million smiles. I have an entire lecture, called Bits and Pieces, that’s all about realizing that the real magic is in the moments you create with your audience. The irreplaceable wonder that you feel when you see a good magic act can be replicated in simple, everyday items like clothespins, towels, googly eyes, and napkins. I promise that all makes sense in context. So really, the best way to build your reputation within your market is to build your connections- not in number, but in value.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trickybiz.com, www.bakingsomething.com, www.cresey.com, www.foamatyourhome.com, www.epicballoons.com, www.bendsquishtwist.com, www.mustacheonthemove.com
- Instagram: @trickybizny, @creseyproducts, @bakingsomething, @foamatyourhome, @epicballoons
- Facebook: John Reid, Epic Balloons, Mustache on the Move, Baking Something, Tricky Business, Cresey, Foam at your Home, Bend Squish Twist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-reid-5475b271/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQS2ug3wfEnUUW3Eby8DmzQ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tricky-business-east-meadow-2?osq=tricky+business
Image Credits
Salt Lake Comic Con (for the big transformer photo) Abi Seidenberg